Indigenous Ministry Centres Continue
The Christian Reformed Church in North America supports three Urban Indigenous Ministry Centres in Canada, and all three remain open as essential services to the homeless and struggling populations they serve. As such, their work has changed, and risks have increased — and yet they are committed, as long as their resources hold out, to doing the work of God amid the pandemic that has many of us staying at home and sheltering in place.
Here are three stories, featuring some of the ministry work of each center.
Indigenous Family Centre
On Thursday, March 12, the Indigenous Family Centre (IFC) in Winnipeg, Man., hosted its weekly sharing circle, as it had done for nearly 50 years. And the sharing time closed, as always, with the Lord’s Prayer.
But instead of asking everyone to hold hands for the closing prayer, director Michele Visser suggested — out of a sense of caution — that each person place their left hand on the next person’s shoulder. At the time, that seemed a bit strange, she said. They had always held hands!
At the time, there was no idea that it would be the last face-to- face circle for perhaps a long time.
In light of the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the work at IFC has changed — virtually overnight.
“Our building has always been a gathering place, a place to tend to your heart, mind, soul, and strength; a place to come to when your soul is wandering; a place to find rest,” said Visser. “We just can’t do that safely anymore. So we have had to ask what we can do.”
One thing that was immediately apparent was an ongoing need for food sharing. So the IFC food bank has continued in a modified fashion. An old kitchen pass-through window, previously rarely used, has become the main point of connection for sharing food and other items.
It’s not perfect for maintaining a full two-meter distance between individuals, but it does minimize contact significantly. When possible, food is delivered to elders and left by their front doors so that they don’t miss out.
“It’s hard enough to grocery shop at the best of times,” said Blair Jonnason, a volunteer and regular food bank client, “but with the new restrictions, new fears associated with taking the bus, and shorter opening hours, it’s harder than ever. The food bank really helps our household, and there is almost always a treat that my daughter likes.”
Another initiative taking place is Family Day. One family per day can access the IFC space, use the toys and the bouncy castle, and let their kids burn up some energy, especially when the weather isn’t great. Care is taken to ensure a thorough and proper sterilization between each family’s use of the space.
IFC also continues to support families from afar, with care packs that include craft supplies, sensory toys, healthy snacks, and treats for all. Families can pick these up or have them left on their doorsteps.
Spiritual nurture continues as well, with people able to ask for prayer or even just a listening ear via Facebook, text, email, or phone. People can continue to access IFC’s counselor via phone or video chat as well.
“It’s different, and we are adjusting,” said Visser. “It’s hard. Our families are vulnerable at the best of times, and this adds a whole new layer of fear and stress. People need us more than ever — but rather than connecting face-to-face, we need to help remotely.”
The center will continue its work as long as it has the resources to do so, said Visser. “I’m sure that as we go on, we will find more ways to help and continue to be in people’s lives — but in these early days, it feels like we adjust by the hour. We desperately need your help, your prayers, and your gifts to get us through these difficult times.”
Edmonton Native Healing Center
It’s Monday morning, and Ralph, who is homeless, walks into the Edmonton Native Healing Centre. Even though he is cold and tired, Ralph asks staff about their weekend.
It is an appreciative inquiry; he wants to make a connection — just searching to find something that feels normal. Life on the streets is always brutal, but now marginalized, displaced people such as Ralph have the added burden of trying to steer clear of the virus.
There are a few other places Ralph could go, but he likes it here, said Harold Roscher, director of the center.
“Ralph appreciates our being open; it’s a quiet, safe place for him. Our space allows him to stay connected through Facebook and to have coffee and a sandwich,” said Roscher.
Offering comfort to Ralph and others is exactly what this center is set up for. It is a place for people to rest, join in prayer, and access services that they may not be able to find elsewhere.
Because of COVID-19, however, the center has had to curtail some of its services, such as its Monday foot-care clinic and its Wednesday meal of soup and bannock (fry bread).
“But we’re remaining open with limited programs,” said Roscher. “The coffee is still on, and the computer lab will be open.”
The food bank will also be operating on Mondays and Wednesdays. And sandwiches on Mondays are still on tap.
On the same morning that Ralph stopped in, Roscher had to take a call.
“It was an elderly woman, who asked if I could help her fill out some forms and navigate the COVID-19 programs that have been announced by the government,” said Roscher.
“It’s online access only, and she needs our computers and staff to help her apply to different support programs,” he said.
“Without our help, where could she turn? Where does Ralph go when he wants to just sit and have coffee?” asked Roscher.
Sitting inside the center this week and thinking about Ralph and the senior woman who called, Roscher turned to prayer. He prayed in gratitude that Ralph and the woman had a door for them to walk through, and that on the other side there was someone with a listening ear and helping hands.
“This is about the only place for some people to come and relax. We can listen to their trauma. These are people who fall through the cracks,” said Roscher.
Nonetheless, he said, “We’ll keep following protocols for safety by practicing social distancing and washing our hands.”
Also, he added, “This is a very significant time for us all, and our prayers go out to our community, our families and friends, and the city of Edmonton.”
Indigenous Christian Fellowship
About 40 people stopped by the Indigenous Christian Fellowship (ICF) center on Saturday morning, March 28, to pick up breakfast in a bag. The food was set on a table in front of the center.
Normally people would go inside the building to get their food. But not now, since COVID-19 began its deadly sweep across North America.
Like the other two CRC-supported Indigeous ministry centers, ICF has had to cut back on the services it provides. But the center remains committed to helping people who depend on this ministry.
Bert Adema, director of the center, said keeping some things — such as the Saturday breakfast — going are important. In addition, he and others who work there are on hand during the week, meeting visitors in the small lobby of their ministry.
Visitors wait outside if it is busy, but then they step in and receive coffee or water and a snack. If they need to, they can use the phone. On Wednesdays ICF will also still hand out soup and bannock.
At the same time, there is much that ICF can’t do right now. They have decided to keep the center itself closed, which means they have to gear back on holding prayer circles and talking circles as well as clothing giveaways. Nonetheless, simply keeping the lobby open is a show of hospitality and presence.
Important as well is finding ways to share the gospel. As people deal with this virus and all the uncertainty it brings, said Adema, “Everyone is in a minimalist mode. They are going slow and wondering what this pandemic means for them — for all of us — down the road.”
As a result, it’s easy for panic to set in, and people begin to ask hard questions: Will I get sick? Will we come out of this with an economy in shambles? Will I have a place to sleep? Will I have a job?
So Adema offers a different approach. Most important of all, he said, is to stay close to the kinds of things that ministries such the Indigenous Christian Fellowship are all about — love, outreach, putting flesh on the Word who came to dwell among us..
“Our faith should be the source of our comfort at times like this,” Roscher said. “We are called to love our neighbors …. We need to keep loving our neighbors because the Creator loves us.”
Still able to offer counseling and prayer to people who show up at the center, Adema seeks to offer practical, faith-filled advice.
“When someone is scared about the virus, they should keep in mind that the majority of people who get the virus do survive,” he said. “I think we simply need to carry on with faith, hope, and care.”
