In response to my post related to the abrupt termination of the Work Advantage Program, the BoogieDowner has received multiple comments from tenants and landlords devastated by the programs elimination. Though many were heart felt and informative, the following particularly affected me due to the writer’s reference to her having suicidal thoughts and the death of her children.
“Hello everyone, I feel so hurt and betrayed. I have two beautiful boys that I feel we will never make it in this world....I have been having thoughts. I have no education; I have been working for minimum wage living in a basement apartment with no child father. I'm a single parent now. I will soon be homeless. I can't do it again; I have been raped beaten and now will be homeless again. I am only 20 years old. I hope they do something soon before they have 3 less people to think about..........”
I do not know the mother who sent me the above e-mail, nor do I know how to contact her, since her post was anonymous. I also will not pretend that I would contact her if I did have her e-mail, since I would not know what to say or how to provide her with professional guidance. I assume she is not the only one since 17,000 vouchers were abruptly terminated. Besides this post, I do not know what else I can do to help.
The photos below were taken in the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Manhattan. Most of the photos include believers’ queuing to confess and receive communion or kneeling in prayer. The final photo shows parishioners lighting candles and praying to the Orthodox Saint Matrona of Moscow. She lived during Stalin’s reign, when anyone who believed in any religion was persecuted. She lived most of her life homeless and destitute due to her never denouncing her faith in God or a higher power.
For anyone interested in more information about the life of Eastern Orthodox St. Matrona of Moscow, here is a Wikipedia link with some information about her.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matryona_Nikonova
For anyone interested in sending photos of their house of worship or any other photo they believe to be inspirational, please do send to Boogiedowner@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Gregory
6 comments:
Most egregious errors:
"reference" not "inference"
"queue" not "cue"
"faith's" not "faiths"
comma, not semi-colon after "path"
"program's" not "programs"
... and about a dozen more minor ones
More important, however, is the irony of your request for pictures of houses of worship and your posting of pictures of the Russian Orthodox Church. Don't you see the hypocrisy of organized religion - building opulent structures while the poor lose their homes? Yes, the government is wrong to cut from the poor to give to the rich, but so are organized religions, which should know better.
Firstly, thanks for the corrections.
Secondly, my intent is not to show which religion or house of worship is best, but to show how and where we worship as a community. Please feel free to submit your own photos.
Thank you for your comments,
Sincerely,
Gregory
I did receive a post from the young mother and I think some good will be done from this post and posts I hope to receive.
Gregory
You missed the point that Anonymous was trying to make. Why not take the time to read the comment before going on the defensive. It's a very valid point.
It seems very natural to me to want to adorn were I pray, much like I adorn someone I love.
What's more important than the ornaments in any church is the wisdom, culture and hope it perpetuates. Handing out the ornaments will be a temporary solution for the poor. Wisdom and grace will be a permanent solution. Why short change the poor again?
There are many denominations that take a more minimalist approach. Just as their approach is valid, my form of worship is valid as well. It is an individual choice. Once again you are welcome to send photos of how you worship or connect with your spirituality.
Gregory
You are clueless.
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