But who do you say that I am?

Often we will have visitors from various schools and churches come to volunteer at The Welcome Center, the drop-in center I founded nearly four years ago at 2111 Sansom. Well-meaning visitors, wishing to record and share their visit with folks back home will ask if they can take photos. Generally we don't allow photos to be taken for a variety of reasons, all focused on the privacy of our guests. We don't ask for anyone's last name, unless they choose to share it; and many times the first name that people share is their "street," rather than their birth names.

At The Welcome Church, however, we share a symbol of our common identity as daughters and sons of God. The symbol is the cross, especially designed for Ecclesia Ministries and for all who are involved in street ministry. The cross is especially important for people living on the street because it is something to hold on to during those times of loneliness, fear, and separation from community. For most, the cross placed around their necks with words of blessing, is a direct reminder of the Word who became Flesh and lives among us. For others, this is simply a dancing figure, or a symbol of hope and joy. It has been interpreted so many different ways.

Most importantly, though, it is a symbol of out connection and care for one another, a link so strong that the only identification one person had on them upon admission to the hospital was this cross---a link that led me to them through a very astute nurse who recognized the cross as a sign of The Welcome Church.

Many housed people ask me for these crosses. They cannot be bought and are really intended for those living on the street. There is a smaller version of this cross, however, done in sterling silver. If interested, check out Ecclesia Ministries and Common Cathedral. For now, if you are walking the streets of Center City Philadelphia, look for anyone wearing this cross. If nothing else, you will seeing so many people face to face---and you will see our true identities as children of God.