Written by J. Bennett Guess, Reprinted from United Church News
Saturday, 24 September 2005
The Rev. Bill Royster finds himself thinking a lot about a church in southeast Texas – now likely submerged in water – that was considering leaving the UCC because of General Synod’s vote in July to support same-gender marriage equality.
“I realized that they and the building were most likely the first group, area, or building to be covered by storm surge waters, and I thought, ‘Oh goodness, that is so sad,’” said Royster, the UCC’s South Central Conference Interim Minister. “I called, I offered our help and care, and I urged the secretary to print the brochure [from the UCC’s Insurance Board] telling folks how best to prepare themselves and their property for a storm. She was busy packing to leave, and she said, ‘I’ll download and print it. Thank you.’”
Royster said it reminded him of how important it is for the church to remain connected, to understand that our unity matters.
“How wonderful to be the church and to know that others join us in care and concern,” Royster said. “When I think of our Conference, I know how vital is our connection and covenant with each other.”
Royster said that, just as after Hurricane Katrina, the most recent hurricane is teaching us that “stories of pain and frustration, of survival and struggle, of hope and compassion abound."
“Many of our sisters and brothers in the UCC joined countless other people of every faith in providing 24/7 care for people who lost everything,” Royster said. “It was an experience of awesome proportions, as told by those who should have been so weary, but were instead were energized by their ‘well-doing.’”
The response from the wider church has been remarkable, even overwhelming, Royster said. “The response from people, churches, Conferences all across the United Church of Christ has been superb, beyond expectation,” he says. “Our National Disaster Response Team, as well as our president [John H. Thomas] and other national staff have been with us – not just in spirit, but in person as well.”
While he knows recovery will be a long-term process, Royster sees a commitment among UCC people to offer their assistance.
“People of the UCC everywhere are chomping at the bit to do all that they can to help. Funds are being collected, work parties are being organized and e-mails and phone calls offering support in every form are almost more than we can respond to in a reasonable time,” Royster said. “Thank you for being the church of Jesus Christ!”
--Contribute online to Hurricane Katrina Relief
--Hurricane resources
Related Story: Prayer requested for UCC churches, members of Southeast Texas
