Like many of you I am stunned and horrified by the tragedy in Fort McMurray. When we hear of such events I think there are two natural human reactions. One is to hold even closer those we love, to look around at those things we treasure, and to think about how we would cope if life events took any of that away.
The other very human reaction is to want to help out. We wonder, “What can we do?” “How can we help?”
On Facebook a number of people have posted a page on what not to do and what not to send. The premise is that when tragedy strikes many people want to send supplies – clothing, bedding, material things, in the hope it will help people get back on their feet. The reality is that if your house has burned to the ground you have no place to put bedding and clothing. A friend posted the page and remembered the time when her own house burned to the ground. She said people were incredibly generous with stuff but it was overwhelming and she felt burdened with things that had been given from a generous heart but, in fact, made her situation harder to cope with.
So, what do we do? Well, money always helps, people can buy what they need. The United Church of Canada, the Red Cross and, I am sure, many other agencies have set up means to give donations to the people of Fort McMurray. The city and its citizens will be years recovering from this out-of-control fire. The heartache that will overwhelm people when they can finally go home is incomprehensible.
The United Church has put on its web page a prayer for the people of Fort McMurray. I include it here. May it be our prayer.
God of our ancestors,
in a world where chaos and ruin are as close as the wind,
where fires rage out of control in Fort McMurray destroying homes, businesses, and livelihoods;
Help us to find strength and courage from the stories of those who took refuge in you during their times of trial and despair.
And so with the psalmist who cried laments,
we pray for all who are in need of food, shelter, and healing…
With the exiled people,
we pray for the tens of thousands of people evacuated and those who have lost their homes, churches, community centres, playgrounds and workplaces…
With the disciples,
we pray and give thanks for the emergency responders and all those who provide moments of generosity, healing, and human kindness…
With our companions in Christ,
we pray for the ministry and people of First United Church in Fort McMurray.
In a world where safety and security can be fleeting,
where people cry out in grief, seeking rest and comfort,
Bind us together in your love as we pray the prayer of Jesus…
