A Presence for Love

Steven Maggese and I traveled to Rutherfordton bright and early on June 27th. We arrived a little early and enjoyed a cup of java at Main Street Coffee and Ice Cream in the quaint downtown area. The ice cream selections looked so delectable that I was tempted, but it was only 8:30 in the morning, so I held back.

With the last drops of coffee warming us, we made our way to St. Francis, where a warm welcome awaited. Stepping into the main hall, my eyes landed on a table brimming with supplies for any disaster. As I looked over the collection, it struck me that disaster response and resilience go far beyond water, batteries, and Vienna sausages. These supplies spoke of the importance of community and the bonds we share with our neighbors.

Photo taken by Fr. Nick McDonald - Associate Priest at St. Peter by-the-Lake, Denver, NC

When we move past thinking only of ourselves in disaster readiness, we discover that true preparedness is about being good neighbors. It is about finding our footing by anticipating, responding to, and recovering from whatever may come. Are we, as the body of Christ, truly ready to stand with our neighbors when they need us most?

Everything follows a life cycle. From the moment something comes into being, it begins its journey, whether that life is as fleeting as a butterfly’s or as long as an ancient tree. Have you heard of the Turritopsis dohrnii, the so-called immortal jellyfish? It can technically live forever by reverting to its youth when threatened or injured, though it remains vulnerable to predators. Even the longest-living creatures have their own survival strategies and cycles. Disasters, too, have a life cycle, one that does not always move in a straight line.

As I reflected on the process of identifying hazards and vulnerabilities, I paused to consider how we might help our neighbors. What part does All Saints play in the Gastonia community? I know the congregation already supports those facing food insecurity each year, but are we truly prepared for a larger crisis? This question led me to look more closely at our resources in the event of a potential community-wide disaster. Do we have a generator? Could we offer shelter to those displaced by floods or other emergencies? Steven Maggese and I found ourselves asking these questions together. Seeing our church as a community resource opened my eyes to new possibilities.

I have been through many hurricanes, but I have never seen flood damage like what Hurricane Helene unleashed on Western North Carolina. There was destruction, painful loss, and trauma that still resides in bodies that survived the experience. The storm has passed, but the devastation it left behind still affects thousands of lives. The waters may have receded, but the trauma is still there.

A plan brings clarity, anchoring us not just for our own sake but as a beacon for others. It is a response to the call of discipleship, to shine as a light when darkness falls. Disasters make us all vulnerable, yet some among us face even greater risks. Vulnerability can be shaped by age, mobility, isolation, income, language, and so much more.

As the workshop ended, conversations and ideas continued to flow among us. Gathering with others from our Piedmont Deanery was a meaningful opportunity to explore how we can be present not only in times of crisis but throughout the year. All Saints is being invited to offer steady, compassionate support for the vulnerable, both during upheaval and in the quiet fragility of daily life. This is love put into action.

As we left this time of reflection on our role in the community, my prayer is that we make room for more conversation and planning in the months ahead, especially as another hurricane season approaches. Writing this reflection has continued to lead me to ponder how All Saints is a presence, not just a little A-frame church building on the corner of S. New Hope and Robinwood. It is the Spirit speaking and calling in a place for a people and for its time.

Dear Holy and Gracious God, as we enter into another season of unpredictable weather, steady our hearts and sharpen our awareness. Teach us preparation not birthed out of fear, but out of love, love for our neighbors, love for the vulnerable, and love for the community you have entrusted to our care. Bless our first-responders, those who labor in emergency response, those who rebuild what has been broken, and those who are still carrying the weight of past storms in their bodies and spirits.

Guide our conversations and our discernment of next steps. May we be prepared not merely by ready hands, but with open hearts, helping with compassion and wisdom.

In every season, remind us that you are our sustaining refuge and strength in all the storms and disasters of life. Bless us as we walk together into whatever lies ahead. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

A special thank you to the Diocese of Western North Carolina for providing this program and to Reverend Kelsey Davis, Bishop's Deputy for Disaster Response and Recovery, for facilitating it throughout the diocese.

Our parish administrator, Phuong Dong, has created a special display on the diocesan bulletin board in the Family Life Center-Parish Hall. It features firsthand stories and postcards from those who survived Hurricane Helene. Next time you pass through the hall, please take a moment to pause, read, and reflect on their experiences.

Only by grace, Tara+