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San Francisco | Health, Housing, and Public ServicesSimple Ceremony Memorializes Homeless Persons Who Died On the Streets of San Francisco
A small group of San Franciscans gathered in the rain this evening to pay their respects to those persons who died homeless in their city during the past year and to re-dedicate themselves toward the goal of ending poverty and homelessness everywhere.  city_hall_on_eve_of_winte... San Francisco, California
December 21, 2006 A small group of San Franciscans gathered in the rain this evening to pay their respects to those persons who died homeless in their city during the past year and to re-dedicate themselves toward the goal of ending poverty and homelessness everywhere. The simple ceremony took place this evening in front of City Hall as it has 18 previous years and was organized by the San Francisco Network Ministries (an interfaith group) and the Coalition of the Homeless. Representatives from the Tom Waddell Clinic (which documents homeless casualties) Unite Here (the union organization), and local charitable organizations were also present. A small number of other concerned citizens joined in. In the shadows cast by a huge Christmas tree, participants circled together in the cold and drizzle holding candles and umbrellas. They joined in prayer, song, and reverence when the long list of names were solemnly read to the tolling of a bell. Estelle Mays of St. John's Presbyterian Church and Reverend Glenda Hope invoked the ceremony by noting that poverty and homelessness need not exist in our world of plenty. Sharing the reading of names of homeless persons who died in 2006 were: Hani, of the Islamic Society; John Fitzgerald of the St. Anthony Foundation; Buddhist Monks from the San Francisco Zen Center; Debra Salan from the Congregation Beth Sholom; M. Macha Nightmare, a pagan spiritualist; and a representative of the Tom Waddell Clinic. Reverend Hope asked for names of others not yet known, and several participants in the gathering added names of people they knew who were homeless when they died. The ceremony ended by burning the list of names and calling for a recommitment to work for justice, compassion, healing and peace. Useful links: San Francisco Network Ministries http://www.sfnetworkministries.org/index.html St. Anthony Foundation http://www.stanthonysf.org/home.html St. John's Presbyterian Church http://www.stjohnssf.org/ Islamic Society of San Francisco http://www.islamsf.org/issf.php San Francisco Zen Center http://sfzc.org/ Congregation Beth Sholom http://www.bethsholomsf.org/CBS/pages/ M. Macha Nightmare http://www.machanightmare.com/ Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco http://www.cohsf.org/ Fact Sheet http://www.cohsf.org/eng/resources/factsheets/hfs.php Tom Waddell Health Center http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/chn/HlthCtrs/TomWadell.htm Central City Hospitality House http://www.hospitalityhouse.org/ W.R.A.P. (Western Regional Advocacy Project) http://www.wraphome.org/ W.R.A.P. Report: "Without Housing" (PDF) http://www.wraphome.org/wh_press_kit/Without_Housing_20061114.pdf
At about 5:30 PM citizens and spiritual leaders gather
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Paul Boden
 paul_boden.png Paul Boden, former head of the Coalition on Homelessness, now directs an organization called "WRAP," The Western Regional Advocacy Project.
More: http://tinyurl.com/ykadcw
Rick Darnell ready smile belies a very tender heart.
 rick_darnell.png Rick manages the Community Arts Program at the Central City Hospitality House, the only free-of-charge fine arts studio for homeless and poor artists in San Francisco.
Buddhist monks lead a chant.
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Solemn bystanders listen and try to stay dry.
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Reading the Metta Sutta (Buddha's meditation on Loving Kindness)
 metta_sutta.png "This is what should be accomplished by the one who is wise who seeks the good and has obtained peace. Let one be strenuous upright and sincere. Without pride easily contented and joyous. Let one not be submerged by the things of the world. Let one not take upon oneself the burden of riches. Let one's senses be controlled. Let one be wise but not puffed up and let one do nothing that the wise would reprove.
MAY ALL BEINGS BE HAPPY. MAY THEY BE JOYOUS AND LIVE IN SAFETY. All living beings whether weak or strong, in high, middle or low realms of existence. Small or great visible or invisible-- near or far, born or to be born-- may all beings be happy. Let no one deceive another nor despise any being in any state. Let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another. Even as a mother, at the risk of her life, watches over and protects her only child-- so with boundless mind should one cherish all living things-- suffusing love over the whole world, above, below and all around without limit-- so let one cultivate an infinite goodwill towards the whole world. Standing or walking sitting or lying down-- during all one's waking hours let one practice the way with gratitude. Not holding to fixed views, endowed with insight, freed from the sense appetites, one who achieves the way will be freed from the duality of birth and death."
To bear the rain! Imagine to live without shelter.
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Reading names of those who died because they had no home.
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Some held candles while they listened.
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The solemn ceremony was held for the sake of giving final dignity to those who perished.
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All stood silently as one name after another was read.
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The ceremony ended by burning the names.
 burning_the_names.png This memorial is held every year with new names-- because the problem of homelessness has not gone away. Hopefully, the efforts and prayers of those who care have helped save many others who may have died.
The small crowd lingers a few moments, and disperses into the night.
 the_crowd_breaks_up.png It is said that the universe contains more dark matter than light, and that darkness should not be something to fear, but rather to understand.
Prejudice against the poor and weak needs to be understood and reckoned with. All people deserve a safe place to sleep-- and even more: a home that makes them happy. |
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