Jodi Garbison, a founder of
Cherith Brook Catholic Worker
Fools for Christ… If Only We Were More So!
You’re a fool! Sounds like an insult, right?! Can’t really think of many situations where this would be a compliment. Being foolish isn’t usually something to strive for or a goal we hope to achieve. Yet this is exactly what the Kin-dom of God is about. Our shower reflections before COVID-19 focused on the foolishness of following Christ, the foolishness of loving and living well. We have looked at scripture, books, and examples of people who have lived “foolish” lives, marked by actions that didn’t make any sense by worldly standards. The actions of people living “foolishly” have landed them in jail—for some, many years at a time. So why would anybody feel compelled to live so foolishly? What could possibly be worth the cost?
These questions challenged us to unpack our understanding of following Christ who would rather die than compromise who He is. Christ died embracing the power of nonviolence, the power of loving your enemy, the power of serving rather than being served, the power of being last as opposed to first, the power of welcome, the power of sharing a meal together, the power of reconciliation and forgiveness, the power of standing up for someone being mistreated, the power of finding your voice of outrage against oppression, the power of solidarity. The onlooker might be tempted to say these acts are completely irrational, impractical and don’t measure up as effective means to an end. Living this way is utterly foolish when seen through the lens of our cultural catechism—the prevailing sense of entitlement, self-protection at all costs, consumption, capitalism, newer, bigger, better, more, winning, revenge, retribution. Christ’s life was considered foolish and countercultural then and now. Our call is to be no less foolish than Christ. It cost Jesus everything. Living faithfully now may be just as costly for us.
After reflections, one morning, one of our long-term volunteers met me in the basement. He said, “Ya know, many thought you and Eric were pretty foolish when you sold your house, cars, and possessions to move to a community practicing poverty. They thought it was completely foolish to quit a good-paying job that provided for your family with two young children.” He meant it in a positive way, considering the fruits of those “foolish” decisions are certainly evident at Cherith Brook. Our hospitality transforms us through humility and brings a depth and breadth of “foolish” volunteers who make this place what it is, which redefines our views of success. When I think back on that joint decision to relocate from places of privilege to places on the margins, it seems small yet significant. It’s tempting to point out the risks involved when we moved and to count the cost. However, I’m convinced that it would have cost us more NOT to answer this call to the margins. This foolishness of following a nonviolent Christ is easier for me to participate in than the foolishness of trying to convince ourselves that violence works or that wealth makes us happier or weapons of mass destruction (or a gun) make us safer. It makes much more sense in light of Christ’s teachings to embrace the foolishness of welcome and sharing than the foolishness of buying into a message of food scarcity and fear of others. I know we continue to grow in our understanding and willingness to be fools for Christ. Who would have thought that there were varying degrees of foolery?! I realize the more “foolish” I am in loving and welcoming, the more I experience the transformation of myself, others, and the world. That’s why it’s compelling and it’s worth the cost. May the cost of following Christ, even if thought to be foolish, never determine our willingness to be faithful.
The Elder’s Circle-
Reflections from Tammy Brown
Being in the Elder’s Circle has shaped my leadership in many ways. First, it has stretched me to try things I have never experienced before, such as leading discussions at our monthly Poor People’s Campaign (PPC) meetings and learning things I need to know about poverty and systemic injustice.
Secondly, the Elder’s Circle has helped me become a better person, learning more about myself and my capabilities. This group of leaders has encouraged me to step outside of myself and reach toward others, helping me to be a role model that people can look up to and pass it on.
Tammy Brown, Elder & PPC Leader
I am learning that leadership is not an “I” but a “We”. As a “We,” united together, we can better address situations of injustice. So part of my responsibility as an Elder is to call people together.
Thirdly, it has helped me be more compassionate and get involved so we can all look forward to a better future. Our work in the PPC has reminded me of my grand- parents.They used to tell me about their hardships with prejudice and injustice when I was just a young girl. Sadly, these struggles continue today. As a person of color, people look down on you. They assume things about you. I don’t know why. Being looked at as a second class citizen after whites is an injustice. By serving in the PPC, I am taking a stand with my grandparents and those who came before me, so I can make a difference for my nieces, nephews, and all those who come after me. By marching, protesting, and speaking out for our rights, I can show future generations they have a chance and they don’t have to settle for less. They can reach for their dreams if only they just fight and believe. I am realizing how important it is to speak out of my personal experience with racism and poverty. Last summer I was sent by the Missouri PPC to a leadership training in Washington D.C. hosted by the National PPC. There was a woman from a church in Oregon talking about her experience with homelessness. Hearing her made me realize I have a story too!
In summary, Jesus went to the poor—to the prostitutes, tax collectors, and other outcasts. He knew their struggles, just as he knows mine, and he died so we can have life more abundantly. I do this work to keep the faith, believing that one day things in this world will change.
“Before COVID-19, nearly 700 people died everyday because of poverty and inequality in this country. The frontlines of this pandemic will be the poor and dispossessed—those who do not have access to healthcare, housing, water, decent wages, stable work or child care— and those who are continuing to work in this crisis, meeting our health care and other needs.” —Rev. William Barber, The Poor People’s Campaign
(Image 1)—Christopher Rinkleff (left) and Rayyan Kamal (right) wearing their COVID-19 protection while serving breakfast.
(Image 2)—The morning crew checking out the new port-o-potty!
Left to right, Micah Chrisman, Darlene Julkowski, Rayyan Kamal, and Eric Garbison.
Hospitality During COVID-19
We have moved from welcoming people into the cafe in the morning for breakfast, clothing, showers, coffee, phone use, mail, etc., to handing out grab-and-go meals for about 70 people four times a week. We bring out the produce cart for folks to fill bags for days we are closed. Before, we offered 20 showers a day but now have reduced that to 10. We do this because we invite one person in at a time. We start with temp. and hand washing before someone can shop for clothes. Between each person, we disinfect the shower and let it sit for 10 minutes. This intentional, methodical cleaning regimen has certainly slowed things down, and yet we find ourselves more exhausted because we are hypervigilant in following this protocol.
We have very few volunteers, knowing that our homeless friends are more vulnerable when people with resources and mobility come to Cherith Brook from various places. As a result, we are very thankful for folks rising to the occasion by making pre-made sack lunches from home and dropping off resources to share with our friends. We are also humbled and appreciative of people who gave of their finances so we can continue our hospitality! Because of you, we haven’t missed a beat in our welcome during this pandemic.
Here are just a few highlighted acts of service we were able to do with your generosity and volunteerism:
1.) Gave out $15 Price Chopper gift cards to 70 individuals and families.
2.) Rented a port-o-potty
3.) Served hot meals along with to-go lunches.
4.) Provided COVID hygiene kits and toilet paper.
5.) Hosted mobile medical unit to treat guests.
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