October 2005 - Tower - Page 8
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Church and Society
Russell Fox, Captain
While the various government agencies, federal, state, and local have taken the immediate steps to alleviate the danger and provide emergency shelters, these are only stop-gap actions. A larger problem remains as to how to relocate these many families that have lost everything, not only housing and personal belongings, but jobs, and sad to say, many have lost loved ones. The media has been full of stories of the outpouring of help that has come from agencies such as the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, etc., and from many churches of all denominations.
Our own United Methodist Church is an active participant through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). We are participating through contributions. Henry and Nancy McCoy of our congregation took in a refugee family of four from Louisiana, until they could find suitable housing for them.
In talking with the director of the United Methodist Assembly Center, Cammie Armstrong, she told me that the assembly center had had a huge outpouring of compassion from many churches who wanted to help in some way. The real job will come in relocating families into suitable situations where children will be schooled, adults will find jobs and of course the most important part will be the role that the churches and individuals can play by being there to provide compassion, love and caring.
As followers of Christ who showed us the way by telling us we are to show compassion and love to our neighbors, so are we challenged to become more active participants in this national tragedy that has threatened to tear the very fabric of our society. Is there an opportunity for us to take a more active and compassionate role in this endeavor?
It only takes a disaster such as Katrina to expose some of the weaknesses in our society. Where we have large parts of our population living on the margin, it does not take much to sink them into despair. Here, on the Peninsula, a devastating hurricane would put many at a risk that they could not survive. So then it behooves us to be sensitive to those in such circumstances and strive to eliminate these pockets of poverty, and other disadvantages when we are confronted with the opportunity for service. Let us not be like the priest and the Levite who passed by on the other side but rather be the Samaritan to show compassion.
I watched a yellow butterfly blithely flit by on creamy wings, carefree and sure of its destination. Oblivious to weather, wars, or the manifold wrongdoings of man.
We envy its faith and innocence. And pray that God will continue to take care of all His creatures, including us.
"How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 36:7
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Last update: October 7, 2005