my parents' church, my home church, burned down this week. an early morning fire, devastating, the cause unknown. my mother called me with surprise in her voice, and i felt far away as she listed old friends, church members who had heard about the fire on the news and came, stood, watching the building burn.

i am emotional tonight, about tragedy and the mystery of God, about loss and the often ensuing gathering strength of the Spirit.

i suppose i'm emotional to recognize the value of roots, of this imperfect and beautiful congregation that i actually still belong to. i cry a bit because their loss is also my own, i cry because it has been a long time since i've let myself belong to where i've come from. and i cry becuase though i was not there, i know that on sunday morning, in the cafetorium of phillip smith elementary school, God was healing his people. myself included.


You are an all consuming fire Lord.