OWENSBORO & KY COUNCIL OF CHURCHES October 20, 2007

I attended the Ky Council of Churches meeting in Owensboro, a little reluctantly, because I had so much to do and it was so far away, and I could find a dozen reasons, but someone said to me, "Do you really not want to go?" My answer to myself was, "Of course I want to go!" So I went, not knowing what was in store - but we never know what lies ahead in our lives.

Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon is a wonderful preacher, speaker, friend and child of God. He is a former dean of Lexington Theological Seminary and he was the key-note speaker and participated in a workshop panel discussion; we talked of mutual friends, pastors and churches. Michael spoke of the New Testament book of Ephesians which instructs Christians to maintain unity of the spirit within the bond of faith. He also said, "The task of the ecumenical movement is to help us become what we are." "We’re together because of what God has done, not what we have done. Just as all parts of the body are necessary, so are all parts of the church." He is the nominee for General Secretary of the National Council of Churches and his wife Katherine was to lead our worship service on Friday morning.

Prior to the evening worship we were serenaded by four dulcimer playing friends called "God’s Troubadours" from a United Methodist Church and the congregation sang along with familiar hymns. I thought at the time the singing was so beautiful in that it was a soft, heavenly type of singing, and we could still hear the dulcimers playing.

The host pastor, Rev. James Byrd, welcomed us to his church again and I had been admiring the beautiful woodwork within the sanctuary. It is 109 years old and such precision in all the beauty of this place of worship. I’ve heard, "They just don’t make anything like they used to." - well, this was a perfect example. The pastor acknowledged the threat of storms and I could hear the sirens outside the church. The lady next to me commented on the sirens and we listened to see if it might be an emergency vehicle going to assist someone in need. He assured us someone was monitoring the weather and we would be advised if the situation became threatening. So we settled back in the nicely padded pews and became a little less anxious.

Rev Nancy Jo Kemper, Executive Director of KCC welcomed us as well and reminded us we were being watched over.

The Call to Worship was a beautiful litany and I wanted to obtain extra copies of the worship bulletin and share them with others I knew would appreciate the ecumenism of this group and the things it was trying to accomplish. A portion of the "Call" read; "By faith, we have journeyed together, and we have been led by the living God. Protestant and Catholic, female and male, and people of all colors and hues, we belong together. But through the clamor and chatter, chaos and positioning, God calls us together so that the world might believe." I thought I would like to pick up extra copies of the bulletin after worship and made a mental note to do that.

The first hymn of the service was "Come, Christians Join to Sing" and the music came from a group of Christians who truly believe and live as though they want everyone to believe.

A young man came forth to pray - and he asked the organist to play Amazing Grace as he prayed his beautiful prayer. Again, different than what I am used to but so well offered and sincere. So touching and inspirational. I don’t hear prayers like that every day.

The next thing which captured my attention was the reading of the gospel lesson: John 15:9-17 by The Most Rev. John McRaith; The Bishop, Diocese of Western Kentucky. As soon as he was in the pulpit and opened his bible the congregation stood. As we stood I noticed how quickly, deliberately and ready to hear we were. It was as though people jumped up from their pews. It was noisy as these are older pews in an older church. (I am unaware of why I was so sensitive to sounds, music, prayer and the building - unless God planned it that way.) The scripture reads: "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

The speaker for the evening was The Rev. Michael E. Livingston; President, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA; Executive Director, International Council of Community Churches. I will confess of hearing only his opening remarks. It was just a few moments until Nancy Jo Kemper’s assistant, Jeanne, came into the service and went straight to her on the front pew. At this point Nancy left the service and I knew something was about to happen. She soon returned and regretfully, but purposefully, interrupted the sermon and said the tornado was six miles away and again we should move to the basement level of the church. This was our second trip to the basement for that day. Earlier in the afternoon the sirens had sounded and we had a period of visitation in the basement. It was good fellowship and I met some people I had never met before.

I guess most of us thought (or pretended) this was just another fellowship time and we began to visit again. Soon, very soon, there was a loud noise and the entire building shook and rumbled around us. I keep saying, "It was just like the movies." Some plaster fell and some water dribbled through the ceiling. Most everyone let out a scream, a cry, or a whimper of some kind and someone very near to me began having a panic attack. The room was full of dust and an unfamiliar odor. I heard someone ask, "Is this dust or is it smoke?" I don’t think I ever heard an answer. Someone asked, "What happened?" and someone responded, "I think the door blew in." Several people had their cell phones open and provided a glow throughout the room. The dust was increasing and the lady’s breathing sounds were evident as someone began singing "God Will Take Care of You". We all joined in and may have been singing three different verses at the same time but it didn’t matter. Some people simply hummed along. Soon we began singing "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" and I was grateful for that song. It lifted my heart even more. It had a better sound to it as people began to join in now that they realized we were still alive. It was more upbeat and we knew the "Arms" were around us.

In the midst of the singing lots of people were beginning to cough a lot due to the dust. Someone asked when we could get out because it was becoming difficult to breathe. So with the help of cell phones lighting the way up the stairs we left the basement in a different direction from which we had entered and went out the front door into the rain and stood under a portico. It was a good thing we did not venture back to the sanctuary but all the electricity was out except for a few exit lights.

In the parking lot there was a car flipped upside down. One car out of 100. Strange. As we stood there - who knows why - the firemen arrived and began entering the building. I decided to return to my hotel and upon arriving at my car I wondered if this was a good idea. There were tree limbs everywhere and lots of water but I decided it was better than standing outside in the weather. Upon my return to my hotel I found it was all in one piece and they had no idea of a tornado or any severe weather.

I went to my room and felt very grateful but very alone. I did not want to call my daughters, they would insist I go home and that was not possible. I needed someone to talk to - as the little boy said, "Someone with skin on."

I called my best friend, to whom I confide everything and expressed my gratitude for God’s giving me more time in my life. He was very reassuring and shocked at what had happened. At this time I did not know the full extent and seriousness of the situation I had survived. He suggested I continue to monitor the weather channel on the TV in my room and I slept with the weather channel on all night. I also made him aware the weather was headed in his direction and to be sure to take cover. He promised that he and his dog would retire to the basement for the night if necessary and I believed him. He is a pastor and I know he believes in God. He was very reassuring to me of God’s presence.

On Friday morning I awakened early and prepared for the morning session. I prayed a different prayer than usual that morning but sensed a different being of the spirit within.

In the hotel lobby I saw friends from the meeting and we were asked to go to the First Christian Church for our morning session, rather than the Third Baptist Church. It took about 45 minutes and much maneuvering to get to the church. Most streets were blocked with signs, trees, light poles and people. I doubt that it is a common sight to see Owensboro residents driving their golf carts and riding mowers around town. Upon arriving at First Christian I realized I was just across the corner from the Third Baptist Church. I slowly made my way to the church and was approaching from the back side which I had never seen before. It took only an instant to see the damage. I entered the church with some others and the usual approach to the sanctuary was completely blocked by boards and debris. Someone wondered out loud about the beautiful new entry to the church and the piano which graced the foyer. It was so silent in those walls, where the night before it had been peaceful and joyous. We located another entrance and entered the sanctuary. It was beyond words or explanation. People were just staring in disbelief. A photographer was present and people were expressing their sorrow in hushed tones. I too, was amazed at the devastation and very grateful we were all alive. Some people who had been present just hours before were hugging each other and sharing the gratitude of being alive. It was a very quiet and somber time. I know each person there has been changed forever. I know I have been.

Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon ended his first message by saying, "God has not abandoned the church." and I agree. Perhaps this is a wake-up call to each of us to go forth from this day in our families, our churches, our communities, our Common-wealth, our nation, and our world. The KCC agreed to make a donation to the Third Baptist Church from our emergency fund and I know everyone who was present will pray for this church and it’s mission and I trust, after reading this, you will also.

A portion of the last litany (which we didn’t get to share at the church) reads:

Redeeming God, hear our prayer.
For all who work for peace, and for those who witness to the power of love in a world of loveless power; For the leaders of governments and those whose words and public service will influence the shape of human history that they may not tolerate injustice or seek answers in war and violence and may instead work for the equality of all peoples, for economic justice, and for peaceful solutions to difficult problems; For the people who belong to us -- our circle of family and friends and those who share our worries, and those who depend on us;

Redeeming God, hear our prayer.
Let us also pray for all those who live daily with violence and fear. For those who are seldom noticed, but live in fear within their own homes as victims of child abuse or domestic violence; For the hungry, the poor, the broken, those with addictions they cannot overcome, and the unloved;

Redeeming God, hear our prayer.
God of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray that you will send us your Holy Spirit to help us make visible the unity we already share as your divine gift in Jesus. Where we are lazy or half-hearted, inspire us to do more. Where we are callous or blind to the ways we damage the whole Gospel, give us new sensitivity and new awareness of your will for the one Church.

Give us, we pray, the wisdom to see where and how we can make a difference in our communities, our Commonwealth, our nation, and our world. Grant us the courage to form our conscience in the Image of Christ.

Redeeming God, hear our prayer. Amen

This has been an experience I will never forget and I pray it will help me to be a better person in all I do; in my family, friends, my churches, my community and the world. May God bless you from having shared my story.

Diane C. Witherspoon