September 22, 2015 in Congregations, Faith in action
Celebrating the Parkway as Home
While tourists strolled and workmen set up huge video screens for Pope Francis’ open air Mass, Welcome Church celebrated the “sacred ground” along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as home to a number of Philadelphia’s unhoused persons.
A Welcome Church participant blesses the home of Parkway residents.
Participants sprinkled the ground with water that had been taken from the Logan Circle fountain and blessed.
The Rev. Robin Hynicka, pastor of Arch Street UMC which opens its Grace Café to offer meals to persons experiencing homelessness, took off his shoes and socks to preach.
“We claim this as holy ground for all of God’s people,” he said.
Welcome Church Pastor Violet Little distributed information to Parkway residents listing shelters and other services that will be available while their home is used for events surrounding the papal visit.
Photos: Bob Fisher
Rev. Robin Hynicka stands on holy ground to preach.
Welcome Church gathered under “Sacred Stories” banners hung on the Free Library of Philadelphia.
