Interview: Night Ministry in San Francisco With Reverend Lyle Beckman by Peter Menkin
Night Ministry in its creation was a Christian Ministry. Can we serve others who are not Christian at night?…and yes we do. That point is, are we a Christian Ministry?…for those of us who are Christian and part of the ministry that [Christianity] becomes part of the ministry. We have people who are not Christian, and they have other motivations for helping. They want to help others. God’s love by Jesus Christ can be known by others who do not know Jesus Christ and it can be useful to them.
6. Is there a formal set of goals or a formal statement defining the ministry; if so, what is it?
When we became…when Night Ministry started in 1962, we were under the umbrella of the San Francisco Council of Churches. Then we became an official program in 1964. Then shortly before the Council of Churches disbanded, Night Ministry organized as its own non-profit organization. The first Night Minister is Donald Stuart (Reverend, United Church of Christ).
7. To my mind this is a fascinating and unsung ministry, maybe even somewhat invisible to the average person. I know of one other ministry like it and that is in Chicago, Illinois. Can you tell us of other similar ministries, and can you tell us how they are the same or different. That’s like one of those college questions, Compare & Contrast, please.
A direct descendant of the San Francisco Night Ministry is Operation Night Watch in Seattle. And in the early years I think they followed the Night Ministry model fairly well. But now they focus on direct service.
They have a building with low income housing, and a nightly feeding program. And they sponsor shelters around the city.
Seattle is certainly taking care of many of the immediate needs. We try to in our referrals. If someone is sleeping on the streets, we’ll help them get off…. Our primary purpose is to find a way or hope to get through the night. It is that presence with them, that prayer…That support can move them in that direction. Our ministry is a more caring for the soul. I think of our ministry as a healing ministry.
I don’t know of one in New York City, but I know of one in Portland, Oregon that is called Operation Night Watch Portland. I know the director of the program in Seattle. I do not know the director of the program in Portland.
8. Is there anything I’ve forgotten to ask, or something you’d like to add, Reverend Lyle? If you’ve a statement to make regarding your work, your ministry, or Night Ministry, let readers know what it may be. Thank you so much for your time, and the good work you and other Night Ministers do. As one friend remarked of Malcolm Garland’s photos, “…Wonderful photos! Very dramatic and compelling.” Many would say the same of Night Ministry, San Francisco
I thinkI’m so really honored to be part of this ministry. I take the work that we do every night very seriously. I look into the eyes of every person I meet, or hear in their voice every person on the phone, see them as my brother or sister. I never tire of meeting God in the person, places we meet, or the stories they tell. I am just delighted to be a part of this ministry.
INTERVIEW: YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER MALCOLM GARLAND
During the reception at Gallery 1055 those who were at the event had the opportunity to meet its sponsor, The Rt. Reverend Marc Andrus. Bishop Marc invited those present into his office to meet the photographer, and ask questions. After the reception at the opening of this Gallery 1055 show, this writer corresponded by email with Malcolm and at one point posed a series of questions to him. The photographer replied to the questions in writing. This is that interview:
1. Your show at the Diocesan House, San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral held in Gallery 1055 had as host The Rt. Reverend Marc Andrus. In my conversation with him, he spoke of the Gallery’s genesis. If you can, tell us something of what the Bishop said of your photographic work, all taken in black and white? Will you also tell us how long the series took to shoot, how you came to the idea and job of shooting the Night Ministry of San Francisco as ministered by the Episcopal Church. And for those curious to know, why did you shoot in black and white, not color?
I honestly don’t remember too much of what Bishop Marc said about my work. I remember him being very complimentary and generous and I really appreciated the opportunity to talk with