Katrina

I find it so interesting that we come to know hurricanes on a first-name basis. Camille, Floyd, Hazel and Hugo were all terrible storms, but their names sound like they came directly from the roster of residents who live down at the local retirement center. Maybe putting a name on the devastation gives us some little hand-hold on the face of a situation too dire to understand.

There are all sorts of real, practical reasons that hurricanes get human names. It keeps down confusion and makes communication between agencies and all the folks involved more clear. But the naming of a storm does something else, as well. It does something unexpected, non-scientific and perhaps even irrational. Perhaps the name gives voice to something we feel, but don't know how to express. A name is personal, just like the devastation experienced by all those in the path of this storm.

You see, it wasn't just "a storm" that did this to New Orleans, Biloxi, Gulfport and all the many other places that now lay in waste. "Katrina" did it. For those without electricity, food or water this morning, for those who wait anxiously to hear from family and friends, there must be some strong sense that Katrina's violence was aimed, very personally, at them. I doubt that those currently in the disaster area are doing much theological reflection about their situation this morning. I can imagine that they are finding more urgent issues of day-to-day survival much closer at hand.

But one day they will surely ask the question that many of us may be asking even now. Where is God in the midst of Katrina, or the tsunami, or tornado, or earthquake? Where is God as looters ravage what little remains of value in the midst of this catastrophe? I think it all depends on where and how you choose to look.

Remember, God has a name, too. Actually, God has lots of names. Redeemer. Comforter. Savior. Messiah. Emmanuel, "God with us." In the book we'll be studying this September, God is Closer Than You Think, John Ortberg says that it's easy to see God on some days. These are the "rainbow days" when we can see signs of God's covenant to be with us everywhere we look. Other days are much, much, tougher. There are moments when we don't see God at all. Even then, he is still with us, closer than we think, and his presence, too, is something we should take very personally.

I believe that God has been present in the rescues, in the outpouring of support and supplies, and in the survival stories. Somehow, maybe even in ways that I can't easily understand or articulate, I even believe that God has especially been present with those who have been lost in this tragedy. God will be present through the many acts of kindness and love that are done in his name. God will be present as his people respond, and are moved to help.

I know that many of you, like me, are frustrated by seeing all of this on television and then feeling unable to respond. While we may not be able to do much physically to help where the damage is the worst, we can give financial aid and support in ways that will help the most. One way that your church offers for you to get involved is through UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Our own Bishop, Lindsey Davis, is deeply involved with UMCOR, and I can tell you personally that 100% of all money given to relief through UMCOR will go directly into helping those in need. None of your gift will be used to support UMCOR's administrative costs, as these are supported through our denominational budget.

We will collect a special offering for hurricane relief this Sunday, but you can click here to give online right now.

Thank you for being a people of faith, a people of prayer, a sign of God's presence, and a real means of help for those who are hurting. God is with us all.

Grace & Peace,
Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

Don't forget, we'll have dinner together here at the church, tonight, 6:30 pm. Folks' is doing the catering, and already almost 100 of you have signed up to be here. Come on out and join the party.

God is Closer Than You Think will begin at 7 pm on September 14. Books will be available at the church tonight.