In Portmouth, Virginia there is a large downtown church. It's founding was in 1772. Francis Asbury was one of the first preachers. He was also their first Bishop, followed by Wm. McKendree. The building has gone through at least three changes over it's many years, but in its current form you enter the sanctuary in the back, under the huge u-shaped balcony, and the sanctuary stretches out more than half a city block, a shining beacon of the name she was given early: Monumental. The choir sits behind the chancel, and the ranks and ranks of pipes hang over their heads. If you were to walk down the center aisle and sit in the third-from-the-front pew on the right side you would be following in the footsteps of multiple generations of the Watts family. My sister, my brother, and I were all baptized there, and I considered taking my boys back for theirs, as well. I have not attended since 1975, when we returned to clean out my Grandmother's house. It was the kind of place where the men wore their best suits and ties, the women wore dresses, hats, and gloves, and everybody wore their Sunday Shoes. Over the years, like many huge downtown churches, it faltered and nearly failed, but has rediscovered its mission and ministry to downtown Portsmouth and the nearby Naval personnel and families, (and is not as formal). Needing a lot of shoring-up in both the sanctuary and in the steeple standing above the narthex they gathered their funds and began with the narthex/steeple. When we were there in November for my Aunt's burial we were unable to go in due to massive scaffolding.
It was 11:30 Wednesday morning, just two days ago. Inside the scaffolding, on the back side of the steeple: A small spark, a whiff of smoke, a door was opened, and the steeple went up like a candle. Fire trucks from Portsmouth, Norfolk and the Portsmouth Naval Station did their best as huge wooden beams aflame, and fiery embers fell all around, many setting neighboring businesses and the sanctuary roof afire. By 4 they had it out, but around 6:30, as these things are wont to do it reflamed. The rekindling was discovered by TV crews doing a location shoot ahead of the big snow storm. (My Jr Hi Sunday School teacher would have called that a God-incidence). The steel beams of the steeple still stand, like arms upstretched to heaven. The sanctuary was saved, but is water-logged. The only good news there is that insurance may pay for the needed construction. Even now I can't look at the pictures, or even write these words without tears. Their young Pastor, Megan, has brought together all the needed committees, who are already at work, and other downtown churches are offering their spaces for worship. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes she will return, but is in need of ongoing prayers for Megan, the congregation, and those with whom they minister.
God of our past, our present, and our future we know that there are times in our lives when we pass through fire and floods. We know that in those times you do not leave us alone to face our struggles, but walk with us through them until we come out on the other side. Today we pray for all those facing the weirdness of this winter weather that is dry where it should be wet, wet where it should be dry, warm where it should be cold, and cold where it should be warm. We also pray for Megan and the congregation at Monumental UMC as they have walked through the fire and water, and now seek your guiding on how to proceed. In the midst of this trauma keep before them the needs of those to whom they minister that they may not become self-absorbed. A firm foundation has been laid for them, let them build upon it, and be an example for their Conference, and for all of us in the Connection...Amen
It was 11:30 Wednesday morning, just two days ago. Inside the scaffolding, on the back side of the steeple: A small spark, a whiff of smoke, a door was opened, and the steeple went up like a candle. Fire trucks from Portsmouth, Norfolk and the Portsmouth Naval Station did their best as huge wooden beams aflame, and fiery embers fell all around, many setting neighboring businesses and the sanctuary roof afire. By 4 they had it out, but around 6:30, as these things are wont to do it reflamed. The rekindling was discovered by TV crews doing a location shoot ahead of the big snow storm. (My Jr Hi Sunday School teacher would have called that a God-incidence). The steel beams of the steeple still stand, like arms upstretched to heaven. The sanctuary was saved, but is water-logged. The only good news there is that insurance may pay for the needed construction. Even now I can't look at the pictures, or even write these words without tears. Their young Pastor, Megan, has brought together all the needed committees, who are already at work, and other downtown churches are offering their spaces for worship. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes she will return, but is in need of ongoing prayers for Megan, the congregation, and those with whom they minister.
God of our past, our present, and our future we know that there are times in our lives when we pass through fire and floods. We know that in those times you do not leave us alone to face our struggles, but walk with us through them until we come out on the other side. Today we pray for all those facing the weirdness of this winter weather that is dry where it should be wet, wet where it should be dry, warm where it should be cold, and cold where it should be warm. We also pray for Megan and the congregation at Monumental UMC as they have walked through the fire and water, and now seek your guiding on how to proceed. In the midst of this trauma keep before them the needs of those to whom they minister that they may not become self-absorbed. A firm foundation has been laid for them, let them build upon it, and be an example for their Conference, and for all of us in the Connection...Amen
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