From The Desk of Deacon Judy
Home….
“There’s no place like home” affirms Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, now on the Alabama Shakespeare Festival stage in Montgomery. A major theme of this classic story is the importance of home and belonging.
A sudden tornado snatches Dorothy and Toto from their pastoral Kansas home. Throughout her adventures along the yellow brick road and in the Emerald City, Dorothy longs to return home.
Fierce sudden floods swept families from their homes in the Texas Hill Country on July 4. As of this writing, the death toll is 120 and 160 are missing – mothers, fathers, grandparents, and children, many who were Camp Mystic campers.
This recent tragedy, like so many others, is beyond comprehension. So many involved in this horrific event have connections to the Episcopal Church and specifically to the Diocese of West Texas. The owner of Camp Mystic, who died trying to save his campers, was a long-time parishioner at St. Peter’s Kerrville. Many of the girls at Camp Mystic belonged to Episcopal congregations throughout the southeast.
We grieve with the Diocese of West Texas and with all who are enduring the trauma of this tragedy. We mourn all the lives lost. We are grateful for the survivors and for those who have helped rescue so many souls.
As with so many natural disasters, the Diocese of West Texas has established a diocesan relief fund and has welcomed the partnership of Episcopal Relief & Development.
The beauty of Episcopal Relief & Development is that it is working with the Diocese and its local partners for emergency assistance but also continues the partnership for long-term recovery after the event has disappeared from the headlines.
Remember the floods after Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina? Those occurred in September, 2024. The Diocese of Western North Carolina now has received substantial grants from Episcopal Relief & Development to rebuild communities washed away by the floods.
Years ago, when Hurricane Harvey flooded Houston, Episcopal Relief & Development worked with the Diocese of Texas for long-term recovery and rebuilding of communities there.
So Episcopal Relief & Development will walk with the Diocese of West Texas and its local partners throughout the many stages of emergency response and long-term recovery as the Diocese decides how best to address the long-term recovery of their communities in the Texas Hill Country.
In all these natural disasters, communities long to return home. Their physical homes may be lost; they may have to adjust to a new normal. But the true meaning of home is not lost as those affected still have a sense of belonging. They are part of a larger community which loves and cares for them.
A Prayer (from the Diocese of West Texas)
Almighty God, your Holy Spirit moved over the waters in the beginning of creation, and your Son Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee: Be mightily present with all those impacted by catastrophic flooding in the Hill Country. Be close to the lost that they may be found; Guide and protect those who search; Strengthen those who await news of loved ones; Comfort those who mourn; Provide for those who have lost homes and livelihoods. And in the midst of things we cannot understand, empower us to entrust all to your never-failing love, and give us the will to persevere in our response to their needs. All this we ask through your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
God’s peace,
Judy Q+
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