Is it possible to feel two extreme emotions at once? I feel like that is where I am right now. My heart is full from the turn out and the amazing Sacred Music concert by Dequan and Mary Alice on Sunday afternoon. We are so blessed to have such gifted musicians on staff. The people from the community felt the same way. I cannot begin to tell you how many have raved about the concert. There were so many, in fact, that I lost count! They also wanted to know when the next concert will take place! At the same time that my heart is filled with joy because WPC reached out to our community in this special way, my heart is heavy as well. Like so many of you, the images keep coming in from a place so many of us love, Western North Carolina, and we grieve, even as they do. The destruction and loss is unbearable. As Christians, how do we deal with the juxtaposition of these emotional extremes?
Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “Rejoice always, pray continually, and in all things give thanks”. In other words, whether our hearts are full of joy or full of grief, we respond to God and to the world with prayer and gratitude. First, let us be in prayer for this church and the many ways it serves Kingstree and let us be in prayer, for not only the people of North Carolina, but all who have endured this hurricane. Second, out of gratitude, thank you Dequan and Mary Alice, thank you to Antrionette Catering Service, thank you Worship and Music Committee, thank you Laura, and everyone else who took the time to make the concert a success. Also, out of gratitude for the many ways God has blessed us and helped us in our times of need, we have an opportunity to respond by helping others in North Carolina. As Western North Carolina transitions from recovery to rebuilding and becomes more organized, more opportunities will be revealed to us. However, for now WPC will collect cleaning supplies for Muck Buckets to be distributed to families. This will help them as they begin to clean up from the storm. We are also collecting some basic medical supplies. A list of supplies will be located in the Binder as well as reliable sites where you can make financial donations, should you feel so led. We will begin collecting this Sunday and continuing until Oct 13th. Collections will also be taken at the Fall Festival next Wednesday night (Oct. 9th). There may be more collections in the future. In prayer and gratitude, let us respond.
Peace, Josie
Leave a Reply