Occasionally, Billy lived inside, was married a few times, and held small jobs, including working part time for Loaves & Fishes where we met.  He lived in a bush near the American River bike trail.  His four dogs were his “kids.”  I was always amazed at how he controlled them without ever raising his voice.

Billy was a pioneer and humble advocate for those living outside.  When cited for unlawful camping, Billy took the challenge and chose to stand up for what he believed was right.  He asked for a jury trial so others like him could live in peace, free from harassment, from park rangers, and local authorities.  In 2003, this small, scruffy homeless man sat in court with his attorney and faced the polished Sacramento City attorney.  It created a lot of media attention.  Billy went through several trials and retrials, calmly doing what he felt called to do.  It was stressful.   He was severely harassed by officers on the river, one time having all his possessions destroyed.  In spite of it all, he persevered.

I accompanied Billy to most of his court dates. At the conclusion of each trial we celebrated at Leatherby’s Ice Cream Parlor with his favorite:  coffee ice cream.  He won his first case, but eventually was fined and told to stay away from the American River where he had lived for most of his adult life.  He moved across the county line to live on the Sacramento River.

I continued to visit Billy in his camp on the Sacramento River, checking on him and his dogs, bringing food and candles.  Every time I visited, Billy was the most gracious host.  He offered me a rickety chair or a milk crate salvaged from somewhere and we would sit and visit.  He always let me know that God and he were talking and things were OK.  Then he would escort me down the levee road to my car, telling the dogs to stay put gave me a hug, and saw me off.

Eventually, I brought a few friends out to meet Billy, including my husband-to-be.  Each one was welcomed with humble grace and openness.  He had a certain wisdom about the world, even though he never ventured very far.  When I visited, he always asked about staff and people he knew at Loaves & Fishes, and seemed to know how they were before I told him.  He was tuned in to all that in some mystical way.  Billy came to live like a hermit, yet was surrounded by friends who camped within shouting distance.  They were like family, closer than some families I know.  They watched out for each other.  Young men came to him for advice and women friends poured their hearts out to him.  One man said Billy led him to God.

Of course, Billy did not live an exemplary life, but who has?  Billy taught me about acceptance of what is.  He taught me courage and gentle confidence in standing up for what I believe.  He showed hospitality even in the midst of squalor; grace in simplicity of living, and in just being exactly who he was.  He touched my heart.

Billy thought he had lung cancer and resigned himself to dying on the river in his camp – that’s what he wanted.  He told me he was not afraid to die.  One day in late October, he struggled hard to breathe.  His friends convinced him to go to the emergency room and 911 was called.  His first day there he asked me to bring him coffee ice cream.  The next day they put him on a ventilator.  Billy was in ICU for two weeks while we tried to find his brother who had moved to Texas years ago.  He could not be found.  On Monday, November 9th, with several friends, a Loaves & Fishes staff person and I, we prayed and sang Amazing Grace as the ventilator was turned off and he took his last breath.

I cried many tears for Billy, my friend and teacher.  It was my honor to officiate at his memorial service at Loaves & Fishers on November 20th after which coffee ice cream was served.

Grace and Peace to you!

As a new volunteer and I sat in the Side-By-Side Listening Space one morning, a young man entered wondering what the space was for.  We explained it was a place to have your story heard and to connect with yourself and your spirit.  He sat down and started sharing.  He had come home to Sacramento after several years living in another country.  He’d hoped to stay with his mother, but due to her mental state, she refused.  Unexpectedly homeless and without resources, he was camping in a tent on the river.  The man was lost, sad and  unsure of what to do.  We sat for a long time and listened deeply and then the tears finally broke through.  He let them come and said, “I’m glad I can cry,”  “Me too,” I said.

The gift of tears, the gift of being heard without judgment, the gift of a safe space is what we offer at Side-By-Side.  It is God’s gift through us.

In the past year, the steering committee for Side-By-Side has worked hard to refine our mission and vision.  We went to God in prayer and reflection about the  ministry and call, and worked with an organizational consultant to give us focus.  Side-By Side is ready to expand and is on the verge of doing so, and I, as director, am finally ready to accept the challenge of God to lead us into a broader mission.

Our newly refined mission statement is:  Side-By-Side ministries provide spiritual companionship for people who are homeless.  We are a resource for faith communities who desire to deepen their compassion for those who live on the margins of society.

In 2010, Side-By-Side will offer education, training, spiritual reflection and support for churches and individuals already serving the
homeless and for those who recognize God’s call to reach out to their street neighbors but don’t know how.  We will continue our listening ministry at Loaves & Fishes and expand to other homeless service organizations.  We are off to a good start with several new listening volunteers in training now.  It is an exciting time.

Also, I hope you notice the new logo on the newsletter masthead which will soon appear on everything you see from Side-By-Side.

Thank you for your gifts that make our ministry possible!  I hope you will continue to support Side-By-Side this coming year.  Our poorest sisters and brothers are counting on us being there.  I know we can count on you to make this happen.

With a grateful and humble listening heart,

Linda Kelly-Baker
Director

Much thanks to all who supported the day by purchasing tickets and coming out.  Special thanks goes to John Noxon and Willie Brown for their organizing and publicity efforts, to Equinox for providing the equipment and back band, to ALL the musicians who came out – too many to mention here), to Marina and her great staff at the Torch Club, to The Deacon, and to ALL our friends at the Blues Society.  We love you!

It’s cold and dark out there, and we always need candles to give away.  Keep them coming.  Contact Rev. Linda if your group is interested in supporting Side-By-Side.  Phone (916)443-4362

Our mailing address is:

Side-By-Side
P.O. Box 980250
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0250

The above items may be dropped off either at the United Methodist Center, 1276 Halyard Drive, West Sacramento or at the Loaves and Fishes Warehouse on North C Street at Ahern, from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

James and Lora Allen
John and Maira Baccigaluppi
Lance and Elaine Bach
William Baird
Lois Bame
H. Robert Becker
Chester Beverly
Gwendolyn Beverly
Jackie Brodie
LC Butler
Linda Butler
Joyce Campbell
Wesley and Cindy Chesboro
Choun Korean Youth
Michelle Dawn
Dan and Chris Delany
Patricia Edwards
Elk Grove UMC Youth
Epworth UMC
Richard and Barbara Ernst
Kristine Errecart
Susan Ettin
Don and Martha Fado
Faith UMC-UMW Sacramento
First UMC Sacramento
Ken and Deborah Gudger
Shim Habte
Marjorie Heinike
Larry and Doreen Hinshaw
Carol Hoge
Norman and Judith Holder
Hope UMC
Susan Hunn
Garvin and Betty Jabusch
Terrell and Laneve Jordan
Susan Kenney
Christopher and Liz Klein
Loomis UMC –CAF/UMYF
Cherylee Louie
Fred and Kathi McShane
Pamela Mickler
John Moore
J.V. and R.E. Moore
David Moss
Cary Odell
Glenn and Devon Olson
Steve and Vernice Otto
Anthony and Cheryl Panariello
Rancho Cordova UMC
Judi Rath
Robert and Kristen Read
Ivy Rhodes
Rocklin UMC/UMW
Leona Scales
Billie Singer
Richard and Margaret Smith
St. Andrew’s UMC-UMM
St. Andrew’s UMC-UMW
Bob Stanley
Nadine Steel
Martin and Nancy Sweeney
Kataii Tapa
Eugenia Thompson
Tara Thronson
Kathryn Timmerman
James and Jean Toland
UMC Hispanic Ministry-UMW
Gilbert and Dorothy Vieira
George and Beatrice Walden
R. Parker White and Noel Ferris
Sara Zeigler

One never knows when a brief conversation or the gift of listening will touch another’s heart. This morning I received a phone call from someone who told me how much just such a moment helped him in a very down period. The conversation was seven months ago, and he continues to hold it as a turning point in his life.

These little miracles happen every day through the work of Side-By-Side. Our faithful volunteers connect deeply with the homeless folks who so desperately need a compassionate listener. The prayer circle attracts growing numbers of people who seek a relationship with God to remind them of who they are; the jam session brings joy to people’s souls every week. God’s work is good and true.

The numbers of people seeking survival services through places like Loaves and Fishes is up. More and more folks are surprised to suddenly find themselves without a job and without shelter. Thank you for your on-going support as Side-By-Side maintains a steady presence representing God’s ever ready and abundant grace.

With a listening heart,

Rev. Linda Kelly-Baker
Director