Prep Session: Understanding the Problem
Objective in Prep Session: To learn our tradition and other's tradition in the ethical obligation to care for others with a focus on caring for unhoused persons as well as understanding the current homeless situation
Large Group Process: introduce the Pinkston Statement 20min
Article 25 of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights states:
“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."
In an age when so many are suffering without the basic necessities of life, what are we called to do? How are we called to live? People of faith are called to live according to a pattern of love and service. This is done by setting the needs of the poor and marginalized as the horizon of their vision and by using their gifts and talents to make the world a more just and loving place. While such a notion is contrary to worldly lures and the predominant understanding of success, the faith community is nevertheless called to engage in a loving exchange with the world. We are challenged to respond to seek a more just and compassionate world. Responding to and meeting the needs of the ‘least’ in society is a primary step in bringing about a just world.
There is fallibility in humankind which calls for an interdependence with others. Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu offered his talisman, “…Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest… and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him… will he gain anything …will it restore him…? The first principle of Unitarian Universalists recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of every person. His Holiness the Dalai Lama shares “the essence of Buddhism is if you can, help others, if not, then at least refrain from hurting others.” Confucius said, “Here certainly is the golden maxim: Do not do to others that which we do not want them to do to us.” Judaism’s Talmud says “That which you hold as detestable, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole law: the rest is but commentary.” Islam’s Koran shares that “Righteousness is this: that one should give away wealth out of love for him to the near of kin and to the orphan and the needy and the way farer and the beggars and for the emancipation of the captives”. The Christian’s duty to his neighbor is summed up in the Golden Rule, “In everything, do to others [your neighbors] what you would have them do to you.” For mutual human flourishing, love, care and service for our fellow humans is indispensable.
· React to Article 25 and the statement Above.
· Show video (12 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8chWrQ-rtI&t=4s
“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."
In an age when so many are suffering without the basic necessities of life, what are we called to do? How are we called to live? People of faith are called to live according to a pattern of love and service. This is done by setting the needs of the poor and marginalized as the horizon of their vision and by using their gifts and talents to make the world a more just and loving place. While such a notion is contrary to worldly lures and the predominant understanding of success, the faith community is nevertheless called to engage in a loving exchange with the world. We are challenged to respond to seek a more just and compassionate world. Responding to and meeting the needs of the ‘least’ in society is a primary step in bringing about a just world.
There is fallibility in humankind which calls for an interdependence with others. Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu offered his talisman, “…Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest… and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him… will he gain anything …will it restore him…? The first principle of Unitarian Universalists recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of every person. His Holiness the Dalai Lama shares “the essence of Buddhism is if you can, help others, if not, then at least refrain from hurting others.” Confucius said, “Here certainly is the golden maxim: Do not do to others that which we do not want them to do to us.” Judaism’s Talmud says “That which you hold as detestable, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole law: the rest is but commentary.” Islam’s Koran shares that “Righteousness is this: that one should give away wealth out of love for him to the near of kin and to the orphan and the needy and the way farer and the beggars and for the emancipation of the captives”. The Christian’s duty to his neighbor is summed up in the Golden Rule, “In everything, do to others [your neighbors] what you would have them do to you.” For mutual human flourishing, love, care and service for our fellow humans is indispensable.
· React to Article 25 and the statement Above.
· Show video (12 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8chWrQ-rtI&t=4s
Small Group Process: our understanding 20 min
React to the video
- Instead of looking away and ignoring Steve, Carlito chooses to see him and respond. What is your response when you see someone who is unhoused or unkempt?
- Steve slipped into homelessness after loosing his job and having his car towed. What are other reasons why men, women, teens and/or families fall into homelessness.
- Steve was assaulted and died while sleeping on the street. Santa Clara County recorded 161 homeless deaths in 2019, 196 deaths in 2020 and 250 deaths in 2021. What are reasons for homeless individuals dying on the street.
- What are my questions about unhoused people? What is my hesitancy? What do I need to do to move beyond my hesitancy?
Large group discussion: Are We Ready? 15 min
What is our responsibility as a congregation to our neighbors/kindred in need of housing? What does our faith say about this relationship with our neighbors? About NIMBY and YIMBY?
Large Group Closing 5 min
Action: Count the number of homeless people and encampments you see between your home and places you frequently go to and bring that information back to the next session. For example: along freeways, Discovery Museum, downtown in the evening. Also take a notice of what your community has going on about social action issues with a focus on unhoused persons and be prepared to share observations at the next session.