Tornados and Church

Yesterday, in the aftermath of the horrendous, tornado that ripped through Kentucky, the evening news featured a story about one of the churches in Mayfield that had gathered that morning outside the remains of their church building.  The story included video of maybe two or three dozen folks sitting in folding chairs, all bundled up against the cold, all singing a familiar Christmas carol.  

In an interview with the pastor, we were reminded of a powerful truth.  The church, he said, is not a building, it is the people.  We love our building and are very saddened by the destruction it has suffered.  But the church is the people.

This, of course, is a truth that transcends Christianity.  While our buildings can be extremely important, it is the people who gather in them--whether the building is a church, a mosque, a temple or a synagogue--that are the most significant.  

We will, of course, remember all those who have suffered the damages brought about by the tornado, and especially those who have lost loved ones.  And we can and will find ways to support them with monies, and volunteer hours, and supplies.  We must.  But first and foremost, as people of faith, any faith and all faiths, we must support them with our prayers.  It's what the mayor of Mayfield asked for.  It is what the Governor of Kentucky asked for.  For it is in and through prayer that we are reminded of God's great love for all those impacted, bundled up and singing carols, or not.  And our responsibility to reach out to help as we can.