Baltimore United Congregations is a interfaith coalition of clergy, laity and other individuals who meet regularly to unite in action toward the goal of providing religious communities with resources related to homelessness and other issues affecting our community.
The purpose of this coalition is to share information, identify issues that may require action, organize and support events that raise awareness of homelessness and other issues, the lack of resources available to the religious community and advocate for change.
Equally Loved, Equally Grieved, Equally Mourned:
A Preparation for People of Faith on Occasion of the
2012 Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Service
Baltimore City Inner Harbor Amphitheater
December 21 @ 5:00pm
December 21 is the shortest day of the year, the longest night of the year. On the winter solstice Homeless Persons’ Memorial Days are planned across the nation. They may or may not be religious events; the Baltimore City event is largely non-sectarian. It is appropriate for children. This message is intended to be preparation for people of faith for this upcoming event, but I believe that many who read it will find universal themes are found in the reflection upon this Hebrew text. The link to the full text can be found here.
City Council Dedicates December 21 Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day
In its final meeting of the year, the Baltimore City Council yesterday voted unanimously to dedicate December 21 as Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in Baltimore. The resolution, introduced by the Council President and co-sponsored by the full Council, notes that “it is clear that homelessness in Baltimore is on the rise as we approach the halfway point of the City’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.”
“On December 21 – the first day of winter and the longest night of the year – Baltimore City will join communities across the country to bring attention to the struggle of people experiencing homelessness, to mourn the passing of our neighbors who, in life lacked stable housing, and to rededicate ourselves to ending the conditions that create homelessness,” said Baltimore City Council President Jack Young.
“Life on the streets quickly can turn to death on the streets, said Kevin Lindamood, President & CEO of Health Care for the Homeless, Inc., who addressed the Council. “Only by putting an end to homelessness itself can we stop the untimely deaths of our homeless neighbors. We welcome the resolution of our elected officials to work for a future without homelessness.”
“Everyone deserves to go home,’ said Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, who moved to have the resolution immediately adopted by the Council. “It’s painted on the side of Health Care forthe Homeless. As a fundamental matter of justice, everyone deserves to go home.”
The public memorial service will be held, beginning at 5pm with music, luminary lighting, and a period of quiet reflection, on December 21 at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor’s Amphitheater (the corner of Pratt and Light Streets) to remember those who died homeless in 2012. The program will begin at 5:30pm. The service is organized by members of SHARP, a coalition of homeless service providers and advocates working to Stop Homelessness And Reduce Poverty.
The City Council’s resolution is available at http://legistar.baltimorecitycouncil.com/detailreport/Reports/Temp/1272012105344.pdf.
For additional information on Baltimore City's commemoration of Homeless Persons' Memorial Day or to report the names of individuals who have died homeless, please contact us at memorialday@hchmd.org.
Adam Schneider, Coordinator of Community Relations
Health Care for the Homeless
“The churches have to feed the hungry,
clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless.
But they also have to remember that the answer
to homelessness is homes, not shelters.
What the poor and downtrodden need is not
piecemeal charity but wholesale justice.”
–William Sloane Coffin