Emergency meeting planned to discuss winter shelter crisis

I got an email this morning from the Rev. Mike Aiken, director of Greensboro Urban Ministries:

I am very concerned about having enough emergency shelter for this winter for our homeless friends. Weaver House has been at capacity all summer. Pathways has 44 families on the waiting list. The Guilford County School System has identified more than 1,000 homeless children. Urban Ministry and Salvation Army are making plans for winter emergency overflow shelter, but I feel what we have done in the past will not suffice for this winter because of the “depression not recession” our country and county is experiencing.

Guilford County’s Department of Emergency Services has scheduled a meeting to plan for a response to this crisis at Greensboro Urban Ministry’s Boardroom next Monday, October 27, 3 p.m.

Homelessness seems to be increasing in Greensboro. Actually, homelessness appears to be increasing everywhere. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it now: Greensboro has hundreds of church buildings, which are heated throughout the winter. We have hundreds of homeless people, who need shelter throughout the winter. What would Jesus do? This is not hard to answer!

To churches, pastors, elders: Yes, I’ve heard the arguments about why you can’t house homeless people in your church, and that “it’s complicated” and there’s “more to it.” I want to hear some creative discussions about how you can do it. Scripture says to “bring the homeless poor into the house” (Isaiah 58:6-7), to care for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:31-40), and that “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 and more.) We are without excuse when our brothers and sisters sleep outside while we enjoy the comfort of our warm beds.  God have mercy on us.

UDPATE, 10/27/2008: News & Record writes about the emergency meeting and winter shelter crisis: Story here.