Mayor Sullivan has dishonored the poor

Just which citizens and residents of Anchorage does Mayor Sullivan consider his constituents? Does he listen to and serve only those he considers to be "good self-worthy" human beings? We submit that the mayor is elected to serve all of the residents, even those of us who are not so good and worthy. We include ourselves among the unworthy sinners. Will Mayor Sullivan deign to listen to us?

When someone comes to God's house, the house where we worship, we do not test and judge if they are presentable, if they are "good" and "self-worthy." Indeed, our worship service usually begins with a public, corporate confession in which all of us acknowledge that we are not good and worthy.

Nonetheless, God loves us all and reaches out to each one of us. So, as people of faith, we uphold and respect the dignity and worth of all people in God's eyes, regardless of their ethnicity, color, language, religion, attire, or home address. Mayor Sullivan's comment about the homeless man demeans the poor among us. We are disappointed that our mayor deems only some people worthy of his time.

As a members of AFACT, involved in the faith-based organizing ministry of Central Lutheran Church, we have been working to address the problem of homelessness in Anchorage. Our faith calls us to respond to the needs of others: the least, last and lost, the excluded, imprisoned and homeless. Our church makes an effort to afford a measure of hospitality to those who do not have shelter.

Certainly homelessness is a complex problem, not easily solved. Nonetheless, the difficulty of the problem is not an excuse to do nothing, to turn a blind eye. We wonder why the mayor refused to meet with the homeless Mr. Martin. While Mr. Martin camped on the street, could not the mayor have stopped to talk? Or does the mayor talk only with those he regards as good, worthy and presentable, who fill out a form and have an address and telephone number? Who, in this city of Anchorage, has access to the mayor?

Through months of experience, AFACT congregations have become aware that this mayor declines to meet with certain groups of constituents. Perhaps he does not judge us to be "good, self-worthy" people.

Nonetheless, we hold our elected officials to a high standard. We expect our mayor to show respect for others. If our elected representatives do not model respect, then what are we teaching our children? With the words of James in mind, let us not dishonor the poor. Please lead by example, Mayor Sullivan, if not for our children's sake, or for society's sake, then for Jesus' sake.

Carol Petersen and Pastor Glenn Petersen are members of the Central Lutheran Church Organizing Ministry, a member of AFACT (Anchorage Faith & Action Congregations Together).