Reflections from the North End”

I have been reflecting on our church, our unhoused neighbors, and the meaning of the word “sanctuary.” As a longtime resident of the North End, I know that there has never been a time where there were not unhoused people in this neighborhood. But, due to decisions made recently by the City of Tacoma to drastically reduce the number of shelter beds in our city and their practice of sweeping unhoused encampments, the need among this population has never been greater than now.

We have seen these policy choices further destabilize an already vulnerable population. In my opinion this is unjust. We have seen with our own eyes that when they are given stability and safety some of our unhoused neighbors are able to secure permanent housing, such as Frank who we heard about just a couple of weeks ago. It makes me so proud to know our church has made someone’s situation a little better when others did not give them that chance.

The word sanctuary has a double meaning: It means a holy place, but also a place of safety. I think our beautiful urban campus embodies both of these meanings, giving rise to moments of the greater beauty found in the Christ-like care for neighbor. While it sometimes isn’t easy to see our campus used in ways we did not intend I believe we owe it to ourselves to give our community a chance to live out what Jesus said: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40).

Faithfully,

Katherine Queirolo