Upheaval


Abstract:
It's been a pretty trying 24 hours. This is one of those times when I almost regret choosing to have a public weblog instead of an anonymous one, because I'd like to vent about what's happening in my life and the life of my church - except that being public helps keep me honest, I think. I still struggle with the whole idea. But I think anonymity would make me less responsible to those in my pastoral care. And I love them.

Body:
We've had an - event - that would rupture a church less grounded in genuine Christian community. I think we will be stronger in the long run, but in the short run it hurts. I guess that's part of the whole community thing.

We've also been asked to become a clothes distribution center for Katrina refugees* in our county. Really, clothes are a pain. Well-meaning people will donate stuff that really should be burned. We had boxes left on the porch of the church that were full of clothes - and cockroaches and other bugs. One part of me recoils in disgust, says, "why would anyone give less than their best?" The other part of me says, "maybe that is their best." In which case, what an honor. I'm glad to provide someone the opportunity to feel like they have helped, even if I did have to bag up the clothes and put them in the trash. It's the widow's mite. Only in this case, it was mites - and other insects.

Anyway, if you would - pray for us. For our church to be resilient, for people to heal, for the power of resurrection and new life to trump the forces of death. Actually, the old standard prayer would work just fine.

*Just an addendum - "refugees" is a good word, and I hate to see it rejected by facile political correctness. The only reason it has negative connotations is the fact that we use it to refer to other countries' problems. You know, poor people. Refugees means people who seek refuge. Calling them "rebuilders" is just confusing. If I put "Katrina rebuilders should register with FEMA" on our church sign, refugees would think we were talking about somebody else.

Posted: Thu - September 8, 2005 at 09:34 PM           |

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