The Homeless Jesus statue will reside at Rocky River United Methodist Church until December 9.
Dear Friends and Family of RRUMC,
If you have driven by our church over the last few weeks, you have noticed a new bench in our front yard with a gentleman sleeping on it. Don’t worry. It is actually a sculpture.
I have included below a Facebook post by Community West Foundation about what that sculpture is all about:
"Homeless Jesus" Sculpture finds latest home at Rocky River United Methodist Church.
A life size sculpture titled "Homeless Jesus" has traveled to Rocky River United Methodist Church. Created by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz, it depicts Jesus as a homeless person lying on a bench, shrouded in a blanket with wounds on the feet.
This symbolic work of art is one of a series of inspiring sculptures crafted by Schmalz. Community West Foundation purchased the sculpture as a visual representation of the Gospel passage in Matthew 25:40 - "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me".
This very powerful image of homelessness has traveled our community since October of 2018 and has been placed at 7 churches to date, giving inspiration to congregations and the public.
The statue will reside at Rocky River United Methodist Church until December 9.
When we were approached about being able to host the sculpture, I responded with a very excited, “YES!” I feel like our church completely understands that passage listed above from the Gospel of Matthew.
We need only to look to some of our amazing outreach ministries to see how that Scripture is coming to life in our congregation.
Some of those ministries are the Twice Blessed Free Store at West 65th and Bridge Avenue, our new “Link-Up” Bike Ministry, Upward Basketball and Cheerleading, Community Meals, and Cleveland Food Bank just to name a few.
Those are all ministries that are reaching out to all of God’s people no matter who they are. I feel that sculpture so beautifully captures what our mission and vision are still all about.
At RRUMC, “It’s All About the Story. We exist to help people meet Jesus Christ in the midst of their story.” That mission and vision also include a homeless man on a bench.
Thank you to Community West for allowing us to partner with them by giving us the gift of hosting the “Homeless Jesus” sculpture.
And a special thank you to the people of RRUMC who continue to work tirelessly to live into God’s call on our church to never stop helping people meet Jesus Christ in the midst of their story.
I am still so blessed to be able to be called your senior pastor. THANK YOU and God Bless you!!
His, Rev. Daniel F. Bogre