John Thomas visits site of burned UCC church in Wisconsin
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
| Written by J. Bennett Guess, United Church News | |
| Tuesday, 13 December 2005 | |
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UCC General Minister and President John H. Thomas met with the Rev. James Gorman and others on Dec. 10 at the site of Evangelical and Reformed UCC's burned building in Waukesha, Wis. The 115-year-old church was ravaged by fire late on Dec. 4. The blaze – which apparently began near the altar in the sanctuary – consumed most of the historic building.
A local newspaper report dubbed it one of the city’s most devastating fires in recent history. "Waukesha is really a small town," Gorman told The Freeman newspaper. "The support has been incredible and it is coming from everywhere." The Third Sunday of Advent The Rev. James Gorman and Members of Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: Our faith reminds us that our only comfort is found in our belonging, body and soul, in life and in death, not to ourselves but to our Savior Jesus Christ. On behalf of the wider church family of the United Church of Christ which shares in this community of belonging, we want to assure you of our prayers and embrace as you grieve the loss of your church building to a fire this week. This cherished place holds blessed memories for so many of you. While we know that a church is more than a building, all of us know how a sanctuary calls to our memory in vivid ways the precious passages of our lives - baptism, confirmation, marriage, ordinations, funerals, the yearly observances of holy days and festive celebrations. More even than this, we know how the blessed communion of saints often hovers around us with particular intimacy in these sacred spaces. So much more than a building is mourned today. The Gospel lesson for this Third Sunday of Advent presents us with the ministry of John the Baptist, testifying to the light. The flames that destroyed your sanctuary last Sunday cast a gruesome light over your community. For a time, the warm glow of welcome by which your church is known is extinguished. Yet, as the carol says, “in the dark streets shineth, the everlasting light.” May Christ’s promised coming remind you that there is a light no darkness can overcome, and may that sure faith encourage you to continue to bear witness to the light that is coming into the world. Our prayer is for God’s sustaining presence, for Christ’s enduring love, and for the Spirit’s strength for the challenges of the days ahead. Yours In Christ, The Rev. John H. Thomas Edith A. Guffey The Rev. Linda Jaramillo The Rev. Jose A. Malayang Executive Minister Wider Church Ministries |