By Deb Cordes
Homelessness has been a part of the Prince of Peace community for over 30 years. It is timely to look back to our history as we look forward to the next steps of God’s calling. Many of you will see yourself in the story.
God’s Nudge:
More than 30 years ago, a stranger, Rodney, started worshiping periodically at PoP. He was a street poet whose works were published in the Star Tribune. He befriended a community member and came to worship, received communion, and read his poetry. What few knew what he lived under one of the bridges over I-94. He stayed with us a short time until he disappeared. Did this plant the Call to address affordable housing/homelessness?
God’s Call 2018-2019
Roseville host pastoral community conversations. Some 275 students were unstably housed. PoP congregation council moves to create an Affordable Housing Team to consider how PoP could respond. For many, this was an unsettling reality. What many heard was God’s call to respond.
2019-2020 PoP Response – Challenges that could not be overcome
God’s calling was present in the work and dedication of the Affordable Housing Team’s work. The Affordable Housing Team met for over a year trying to find a way to best use the PoP property to impact the lack of affordable housing in our community. Plans varied from a Habitat for Humanity housing area in the lower parking area to 3-4 level low income/affordable housing apartments on the lawn area. GREAT IDEAS. Then…
Habitat bowed out as they had a massive new housing project that was just starting and that impacted their limited resources to add another larger scale project. The apartment units would have required significant capital investment from Prince of Peace AND DNR required a 1000-foot set back from Lake Bennet. The set back encompassed nearly all of PoP’s property. In addition, the Roseville City Counsel was not supportive to this significant size project on the park. The challenges were enormous, and most could not be overcome.
Without this foundational work, I believe PoP Sacred Settlement may not have happened. This process allowed us to consider what are the needs, what might possible responses be and how might be overcome ALL the obstacles put in the way. Most of all, it confirmed God’s call was present and we wanted to answer it. THANK YOU ALL!
2019-2020 PoP Response – A surprising request to help – Pastor’s discretionary funds
Even as the Affordable Housing Team was working hard to solve long term issues, Roseville Homeless Outreach Coordinate saw PoP as a partner – an answer. Pastor’s discretionary fund has long been used to provide money for food, gas, books for kids, and even, car repairs.