Regardless, he makes people uncomfortable. The inclination is to find out what he wants, give him a little something, escort him politely to the door, and point him toward the nearest social service agency. Sometimes, though, the stray stranger is welcomed, not whisked away. Maybe a respected church member like Ed strikes up a conversation with a stranger like Gene. Ed invites Gene to the service.
Gene notices others are wearing nametags.
He asks for one. In subsequent weeks Gene comes back Sunday after Sunday. Ed gets to know him. So do other church members. They find out Gene lives in an old boarding house two blocks from the church, in a shabby, roach-infested room no bigger than most bathrooms.