[Episcopal News Service] For the second 12 months in a row, volunteers on the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Huntsville, Alabama, spent the morning of this Maundy Thursday distributing new sneakers, insoles, shoelaces, socks, magic erasers and shoe polish to folks on the First Cease daytime homeless shelter downtown.

The Rev. Rosie Veal Eby, priest affiliate of the Church of the Nativity and a volunteer at First Cease, advised Episcopal Information Service that including a footwear “twist” enhances Maundy Thursday’s foot-washing custom.

“Maundy Thursday is the day we get that new commandment, that we will present like to our neighbor in so many alternative methods,” she mentioned. “In case your church known as to serve the homeless, then have a look at what your neighbor wants fairly than what you need to give them.”

Foot-washing ceremonies, a practice enshrined within the E-book of Frequent Prayer, are a part of Maundy Thursday observances in Episcopal church buildings all over the place, re-creating an act of service that Jesus carried out for his apostles as “an instance, that you must do as I’ve achieved.”

In Maundy Thursday providers, the E-book of Frequent Prayer recommends foot-washing ceremonies after the Gospel studying and homily. The Gospel readings recount the story of Jesus’ Final Supper along with his disciples. Jesus washes his disciples’ ft in John 13:1-15, and in Luke 22:14-30, Jesus responds to a dispute among the many disciples by admonishing them and commanding them to serve, fairly than wield authority.

“For who is bigger,” Jesus says, “the one who’s on the desk or the one who serves? Is it not the one on the desk? However I’m amongst you as one who serves.”

Jim Chesney, a parishioner on the Church of the Nativity, advised ENS that volunteering to distribute footwear at First Cease final 12 months was “touching” for him. He deliberate to volunteer once more this 12 months, this time along with his spouse, Valerie. 

“One of many issues I feel that touched me was the sense of neighborhood among the many homeless folks,” he mentioned. “You don’t essentially take into consideration that as a neighborhood just like different communities.”

The Church of the Nativity distributed greater than 50 pairs of sneakers this 12 months. Parishioners donated a lot of the sneakers, however a Fleet Toes retailer in Huntsville additionally donated sneakers. Eby inspired parishioners to donate sneakers of their dimension to make sure all kinds of sizes accessible. The church additionally collected different footwear-related gadgets, together with shoelaces, insoles and shoe polish, for homeless individuals who might personal sneakers that want minor changes however are in any other case in good situation.

As a result of homeless folks spend loads of time strolling exterior in all climate situations, their sneakers find yourself muddy and should be cleaned. Final 12 months, whereas washing and changing sneakers, a homeless Military veteran requested if he might shine Eby’s rain boots as a result of he “was excited to point out off his boot sharpening expertise.”

“One factor that we actually take with no consideration is that almost all of our people out on the road spend a lot time strolling round carrying their garments and their donations,” she mentioned. “After we get uninterested in our sneakers, many people donate them, and greater than possible they’re slightly bit worn out. So, to have the ability to give a pair of tennis sneakers new life by placing new insoles in them, they actually imply so much as a result of our people stroll round so much.”

Eby mentioned she was impressed so as to add the shoe sharpening element of Maundy Thursday providers after studying an article about bishops within the Church of England shining sneakers in public.

Eby mentioned she and the volunteers received’t offer a standard foot-washing ceremony at First Cease this 12 months. Once they provided it final 12 months, most of the homeless folks have been “extraordinarily standoffish” as a result of they’re self-conscious about their hygiene points. Though many homeless shelters like First Cease supply bathe and laundry providers, not each particular person can arrive earlier than the shelters are overcapacity for the day. In the event that they aren’t staying on the shelters, many individuals will as a substitute keep exterior on the homeless camp within the metropolis, recognized regionally as “The Slab,” and have restricted entry at hand washing amenities.

In Alabama, an estimated 3,434 persons are unhoused on any given evening, based on knowledge compiled by the U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth. In Huntsville, the state’s most populous metropolis with virtually 222,000 folks, the homeless inhabitants is estimated to be about 600, though the quantity is probably going greater. Nationwide, a minimum of 580,000 persons are experiencing homelessness.

“In the event you declare Christ and in the event you’re not doing something, then chances are high it’s essential have a look at your self and have a look at what Christ commanded us to do,” Chesney mentioned. “This isn’t a simple drawback to unravel, however there’s all the time extra we will do to assist homeless folks.”

Eby mentioned Episcopalians can successfully help homeless folks by constructing partnerships with current native businesses that assist neighborhood wants, comparable to after-school packages, homeless shelters and substance abuse facilities.

“Oftentimes, folks are inclined to need to go in and begin a brand new ministry to allow them to repair one thing that they suppose is damaged, when in that neighborhood or that space, that want is already being addressed. But they’re in all probability low on assets, in order that collaboration is important,” she mentioned. “I hope extra church buildings will become involved in doing these sorts of initiatives, as a result of it’s a pleasant and sensible manner of bringing Maundy Thursday to the folks.”

-Shireen Korkzan is a reporter and assistant editor for Episcopal Information Service based mostly in northern Indiana. She may be reached at skorkzan@episcopalchurch.org.