A Peculiar Grief
This morning there was a fire at the church in Dickinson, Texas I once served. No one was injured. The administrative wing including offices and meeting rooms was destroyed. Thanks to the fire department, the other spaces including the sanctuary and fellowship hall were spared by the fire but will be impacted by smoke/water damage.
I retired from this church 5 years ago after having seen it rebuilt after Hurricane Harvey.
Today, I know that the care of the congregation is good hands. They are a people who care for each other. They have a good interim pastor. They are gifted with good leaders and resources. The synod staff which responded generously with resources even when all congregations were suffering from Harvey are responding again with compassion. The local Episcopal congregation which showed hospitality quickly after Harvey has done it again - opening their doors and hearts.
Resiliency is relationship. There is no better disaster plan.
Today I am experiencing a peculiar grief. I know the faces and the names of so many of the people who had a hand in rebuilding the spaces that are in ashes. I see their exhaustion. Their sweat. Their laughter. I ache that what we build and rebuild continues to be so….temporary.
Resiliency is relationship. Who is our neighbor?
God help us.
Deb Grant
This Church and Congregation was an important part of my youth as a partner with St. John's Lutheran Church in Santa Fe. Our Luther Leagues brought so many of us teenagers together. The last time I was able to visit was this past Ash Wednesday with my Mom. As a former member, my prayers and thoughts are with them as they go through the rebuilding process.
I resonate with the heartbreak of a church fire. Twenty years ago my home church experienced a fire that was quickly put out by our local firefighters, but there was extensive smoke damage throughout the building. Restoration meant taking everything down to the studs and literally starting over. Because of that, we were able to make much-needed changes in the layout of our space, ending up with a light-filled and welcoming atmosphere. We had gracious help from the community around us. God is able to use our personal and corporate disasters for our good - for our wholeness and healing. I pray that Faith will experience that blessing again.