We claim we are 
a church for all people
in the heart of Victoria
We seek to be inclusive
making a safe space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people
We work for justice
striving to make the world a better place
We prioritize reconciliation and healed relationships
with the Indigenous peoples of these lands
We commit to safeguard 
the integrity of God’s creation

But what does that mean 
if our inclusion ignores intersectionality
when our actions push aside
those already on the margins
so they are farther out and less valued
than they were before
because they lack the things
society requires for them 
to be seen as worthwhile
when we fear those who live outside our walls
when we say land belongs to us and
no one is welcome but those we allow inside

what are we shouting at 
our unhoused and Indigenous neighbours
who have stewarded these lands since
time immemorial
whose lands we've taken for our own purpose
and now said they are unwelcome 
without our permission

what are we shouting at
our unhoused and 2SLGBTQIA+ neighbours
who became unwelcome in their homes
because of lies and toxic theology 
taught in the name of the God we claim

what are we shouting at
our unhoused and disabled neighbours
when we have allowed governments
to strip away supports and funding
and dignity that has left them without

what are we shouting at
our unhoused and addicted neighbours
who have found the only solace they can 
in self-medication
because there were few other choices available
and we have criminalized their method of survival

what are we shouting at
our neighbours both unhoused and housed
when we are willing to decimate 
a green space of refuge 
in the heart of the city where few are found

and for what are we shouting?
a fence will not stop noise
a fence will not stop our unhoused neighbours
existing on our doorstep
a fence will not add safety
because a fence will not keep out fear
only love will do that

Tomorrow after church there will be a meeting to decided whether we will approve putting a fence down the middle of the green space between the church and the geared-to-income seniors housing building as part of fencing in the senior’s housing building as part of improving safety of the residents. We are, and have been for decades, a block from the majority of services for the unhoused community in our city.

I have strong feelings about what that decision will say to our community.

For context, I write this as a white, cisgender, able-bodied, queer, fat woman who is employeed full-time and struggles with depression and anxiety. I seek to understand the privilege I carry, and I know there is no true inclusion or progress if we are not all included.

I have sought to describe our unhoused neighbours with compassion and to the best of my ability and understanding, but if I have mispoken or misrepresented, please do not hesitate to let me know so that I can continue to learn and do better.