Scattered & Gathered: Seattle's Homeless Remembrance Project

Rev. Patricia Simpson is a United Methodist clergywoman, recently retired after 40 years of ministry in Western Washington State. Of particular interest to the topic at hand: serving homeless and formerly homeless women as Pastor of the Church of Mary Magdalene 1998-2006; working with churches involved in homelessness and housing issues as Seattle District Superintendent 2008-2015; pastor of University Temple United Methodist Church 2015-2020, a congregation cohabiting with many programs serving unhoused people. She has been a participant in the Homeless Remembrance Project and Women in Black for two decades.

These videos were made during the time of covid-19.

Centering Wisdom

Reflection:

Does it make sense to spend money on a public art and memorial project, when resources for housing and vital services are so desperately needed?

What are the traditions of your cultural or faith community around remembering the dead? Do the rituals described attend to some of the same deep human needs?

Activity:

Spend some time with the Fallen Leaves website and read some stories of people who experienced homelessness in Seattle. Visit the Tree of Life in Steinbrueck Park, or one of the Leaves of Remembrance sites. Observe how people interact with the tree or the leaves. Take note of your own responses, too. Are you moved to compassion or action?