Episcopal Deacon Marches for America’s Poor

The Rev. Lou Ness, an Episcopal deacon from Illinois, will arrive in Pittsburgh during her 756-mile walk from Rockford, Illinois, to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.  The Rev. Ness is a 65-year-old grandmother with a chronic bone marrow disease.  She is the Executive Director of Shelter Care Ministries in Rockford, and plans to present stories to Congress about people who are homelessness, poor, or suffer from chronic mental illness.

Bishop Dorsey McConnell will greet Ness as she walks through downtown on Wednesday, May 21, at approximately 1 p.m. on the steps of Trinity Cathedral, 328 Sixth Avenue.

Observing an ancient practice for welcoming road-weary travelers – and following Jesus’ teaching on humility and service – the bishop will wash her feet upon her arrival.

Following the bishop’s gesture, Bishop McConnell and the deacon will speak on the plight of the homeless and poor.

She will be staying in the Pittsburgh area through Friday morning.  She plans to spend Wednesday night being hosted by Sunset Hills Presbyterian in Mt. Lebanon, and Thursday night by Calvary Episcopal Church, East Liberty.