March News
The people of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference have experienced multiple natural disasters in the last two years—a tornado that ripped through Nashville, predominately through lower income neighborhoods; devastating flooding in the Waverly area; and the tornado cluster that flattened so much of western Kentucky.
In that tornado, friends of our daughter and son-in-law, made it to their safe room. When they walked out unharmed, the rest of their home was gone. Rev. Joey Reed, pastor at Mayfield, Kentucky, First UMC (also a friend and classmate of our daughter), was in the church with his wife when the tornado tore the building apart. Thankfully, they survived and are leading the congregation and community in recovery, along with UMCOR.
Disaster no longer is something that happens somewhere else.
For me, it’s now personal.
I was so thankful when our Bishop McAlilly wrote to all of us, giving not only a calming reassurance but also some very practical ways to be in solidarity with those who were directly affected. I am thankful to know Christy Smith, who for years has been working with UMCOR and helping survivors move to thriving again. I am also thankful for my friend and teacher, Ted Klontz, who wrote about his experience in the recent fires in Colorado that nearly swallowed up his home. His insights give me a way to be when my turn comes.
Thanks to climate change, more and more of us are vulnerable. The church can help us! Let us prepare our hearts and minds.
—Crys Zinkiewicz