Mardi Tindal
Faith in an Emergency
Posted on: 06/30/2012 11:02
It was after 8:00pm on Monday evening when I phoned the Rev Bob Gardner and his congregation of Holy Trinity United in Elliot Lake. I had flown into Toronto from Saskatoon’s Truth and Reconciliation event, and was met with the horrifying news about the Algo Mall collapse on the airport screens.
I assumed that I would be leaving a message at the church at that late hour. But, no. A woman named Ruth answered. She was among those cleaning up from having served another meal to the many rescue workers. Bob was still in the hall so we had a good talk.
Bob offered a grounded clarity about what people in Elliot Lake were going through, both those who live there and the rescue workers from throughout the province. That evening he had been accompanying the rescuers through their grief. Their search had been fruitless and they knew that there were many who were angry with them as they stopped due to the danger. (Events have moved on since then and I’ve had further conversation with Bob, but this was the moment I first reached him.)
Bob’s military background, including time in a war zone, had clearly prepared him well for carrying the healing ministry of Christ into such a traumatic week.
He was at the site of the collapse within fifteen minutes, and has walked with people there ever since. His asked me to reach out to all of the police and emergency units involved in the rescue attempts. It has been my privilege to carry his gratitude – and that of the Holy Trinity congregation and the broader church – to people who don’t likely yet know about the depth of gratitude hidden under the voices of understandable grief and frustration.
Darren is a young fire fighter at the Elliot Lake Fire Department. He, for example, couldn’t say enough about the difference that “the ladies” at the church had made by providing home-cooked meals throughout the week. “There’s a big difference between fast food and home-cooked meals at a time like this, and it gives the guys a sense of home when they’re so far away from home.”
At times like this, when I reach out to a community on behalf of the church, it’s always good to know that I can assure them the whole church is praying for them and their community. It’s also wonderful to see how Christian love is lived out by so many parts of the body. The Rev. Will Kunder, Executive Secretary of Manitou Conference, has offered to preach for Bob this Sunday. What a grace. Bob was supposed to be on vacation this week, and I’m sure he is exhausted. Will is stepping in to carry some of the load of care.
Elliot Lake is a strong community which has come through trying times before. Bob tells me that the local Foodland (Sobey’s) whose inventory has been crushed, has assured their employees that they will continue to have jobs and pay. But many will continue to rely on food banks and this is, I’m told, where financial support is most needed.
The steady, strong voices of those caring for others in Elliot Lake are upheld by the same God who Isaiah proclaimed: “… but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40: 31)
Thanks be to God, and thanks be to friends in Christ who demonstrate how it looks to wait upon the Lord in times of destruction and death.
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Comments
spirit wind 7
Posted on: 07/16/2012 09:15
Hi Mardi,
As a member of Sudbury Presbytery, I certainly appreciate your prayers and letter to Holy Trinity and Bob Gardner in Elliot Lake. And others who have sent and offered such messages. It was a tragedy apparently waiting in the wings. Many are angry with themselves for not making more of a fuss to see to it that something at a real level, other than a bandage approach was pushed and done.
The blame game is often endless and brings more bad feelings that are already deeply felt in guilt and remorse. Healing is needed to bring this amazing community as a whole, together again. They have begun this.
We all actually play a part somewhere along the line in everything that happens, so now to encourage working together, as you have, to deal with the tragedy, to ensure it does not happen again..and to let the healing and forgiveness and re-building what is broken, is my prayer. It is really an ongoing theme in Biblical days, and in our trust journey with and in God's love.
It seems this is happening elsewhere as we hear more and more about the troubles with infrastructure. Infrastructure is vital, at whatever level it comes...it is necessary to maintain a healthy balance. In buildings, in relationships - societal and personal, in our own physical bodies...infrastructure is crucial to maintain health and well being.
The norm we strive for is the message of Jesus - to love: God, yourself, and thus neighbours are beloved as they are in our days and nights, here, across the street, and across the ocean.
Blessings to those who offered succour and Sabbath to the workers and rescuers. May the same succour and sacred healing, now trickle into the pain and anger to heal and comfort, offer hope, and bring insightful resolution in the many days ahead.
spirit wind 7
Posted on: 07/16/2012 09:15
Mardi,
I was at a church in the Ottawa Valley two Sundays ago, and a woman from Elliot Lake was there having come for some peace and to settle her heart. She was in the Mall when it collapsed...she was lucky to have escaped. She was also part of the workers of Bob Gardner's congregation who offered a place of respite, for rescuers and workers, who were also reeling from the horrors. And sometimes from angry comments unwittingly put on them.
The woman I met says no one wants that Mall rebuilt, but torn down and something new built elsewhere. No one would go into a re-built building after all the trouble and the collapse.
I am glad you got to Elliot Lake and saw Bob...wonderful suppportive ministry you have carried there. Manitou Conference and Sudbury Presbytery are engaging in similar support. Bob Gardner is keeping us on board.
Around the table at lunch after church yesterday, the talk was that the News spoke about the Power of the day who helped, but no mention of Bob's United Church, or the Salvation Army work either.
Perhaps we are expected to do these things, but it seems more we are not not News, we are a faith group. Yet, as I say that, I also am aware that Jesus did not go around looking to be News worthy, but to live faithfully and his example and ideas spread telling of his open acceptance and healing ways. Perhaps the News is not where we as the Church is to be.....it is not about us, but our faith in action that people remember.....named publicly, or not.
The Moderator is the main person of 'News' and you have represented Christ well and what the United Church stands for. I hope we continue the 'good work' but also know we are not saved by works, but by grace...alone.