Loafers Lodge and An Open Table
Rev. Mark Johnson, Priest in Charge at St Thomas’s Newtown, reflects on the tragic fire at Loafers Lodge last Tuesday morning. He encourages us to remember the stranger and welcome them to the table.
I am a bit hesitant to have more publicity around our role in the neighbourhood. I have always thought the spiritual significance of something is in inverse proportion to the publicity of it. St Tom’s is a neighbourhood church. Local. Ordinary people just trying to love well.
For about five years we have had Family Breakfast on Sunday mornings from 9:15am to 10am at Newtown School Hall. We call it the first part of our morning service. The second part, our worship service, starts at 10:30am. At both, we welcome people around the table. Everyone is welcome at the Table. That is the good news of the kingdom of God.
We have always had residents of Loafers Lodge around the table. Some have attended both parts of our morning service. When we got word that Loafers had burned, we knew that this affected people that we know. I spent the rest of the day popping in and out of Newtown Park (where the residents were sent after the fire) checking on the guys I knew or recognised from Family Breakfast and talking with any others who wanted to talk. All the social services (City Mission, Sallies) and government services (WCC, MSD) were amazing. Our friends were in shock, tired, some angry and overwhelmed, but many, mostly, in good spirits. There were so many courageous people in the room. Everyone was housed and supplied with what physically needed by the end of the day.
Some of our St Tom’s team organised a prayer vigil in our chapel for that evening. Throughout the day we ran into our friends on the street who did not live at Loafers but were quite upset. We thought it would be good to provide a place to be with others and to pray. So, we gathered in the evening and had night prayer together. We sang, we heard scripture read, and we prayed together. We also grieved for those who did not make it out. And we grieved that we live in a world where people end up substandard housing alone.
The rest of the week we kept checking in on people that we could. Then, on Sunday we did what we always do. We welcomed everyone around the Table.
I think everyone’s story is sacred. All the people at Loafers had a story. I won’t share their story for them, but we had an amazing time on Sunday at both parts of our worship service A couple of guys from Loafers stood up during our ‘God moments’ and shared. For one of them, it was the first time he had been to our worship service. It was an emotional and humbling time. Those moments were filled with the presence of God.
Half of the diocese, I think, has contacted me over the last week with encouraging words and offers of help (thank you so much). Many strangers have contacted me as well. People want to help, which is beautiful. Here is how you can help (besides giving to the City Mission and praying): love your neighbour. Notice someone who is marginalised in your neighbourhood and greet them. Make your neighbour your friend. At least give it a go. Then you will be ready when tragedy hits. And it almost always does for those on the margins. They have a story. Every person matters - they are deeply loved. Every life matters - it is infinitely valuable.
And everyone is welcome at the Table.
Loafers Lodge Fire Appeal with the Wellington City Mission
Wellington City Mission has also been busy supporting victims of the Loafers Lodge fire with meals, clothing and other support. Donations towards helping the fire victims can be made through this link.
