THE LAST WORD

by Terry Newland, Synod Executive

How does a denomination so weakened, so divided, so consumed by its own problems have any hope of witnessing the love and power of Christ when something like Katrina comes along? How do churches and middle governing bodies with declining membership and deficit funding find a way to rebuild, or even help others to rebuild? How can people who have long since written each other off as “the problem” in our church and the world, who can hardly even talk to one another, find a way to hold each other in loving arms? If you had asked me before or immediately after landfall, I would have been tempted to say it can’t be done. Fortunately, I do not have the last word. As grace would have it, “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 RSV)

Weeks later I have discovered people from each end of the spectrum and all points in between of our denominational struggles who indeed love God and are called by God to minister to one another. The loss and destruction I have witnessed wrapped me in a sadness I felt no power could over come, until I witnessed the spirit and strength of those who lost so much and the outpouring of love and support from sisters and brothers throughout the P.C.(U.S.A.) and the world.

Don’t get me wrong, the human response was far from perfect. It wasn’t that people magically knew exactly what to do and how to do it. I made mistakes, big mistakes in the aftermath and I wasn’t homeless, sleepless, or hungry. Suddenly flawed human beings by the thousands began to act and react. I’ve never seen so many Presbyterians do so many things that didn’t come close to being done “decently and in order”. In most cases it took more than a week before anyone even considered forming a committee and those early committees appeared with out the slightest recommendation from a Nominating Committee. Presbyterians acted spontaneously! That’s not our strong suit, and it showed.

The miracle taking place in our midst is that God takes our stumbling, bumbling actions and brings about good. The fact that people act out of concern and seek to bring relief to one another is enough for God. In fact, so much good is bubbling up that we humans are often suspicious of each other’s motives. Yet God works for good through it all, and we are seeing more and more of God in each other.

Those whom we call victims of Katrina have a long way to go. Decisions are still to be made…whether to return, to rebuild, and if so, what to rebuild. Regardless, their world will never be the same. Those of us who are called to respond have a long journey ahead. Our help will be needed for years to come. My prayer is that we accept the strength and perseverance God has to offer. Our church will never be the same, and maybe that’s part of the good God will bring about.

September of this year was supposed to bring a season into my life filled with renewed hope, energy, and joy. That’s what I had prayed for as August was coming to an end. The unexpected death of my father, followed closely by the death of my mentor, had overwhelmed my summer with emotions that hit me harder than I thought possible. I was ready to dive back into the glories of life, even as I continued to process all that grief kept dragging me through. I now know why people have warned me over and over again to be careful when you pray, especially when you pray for God to take you to a different place in your journey.

I thought my prayers were going unanswered until you, all of you, began witnessing to the glory of God when people of faith are called to hold each other in loving arms. Through you God has opened a new season of my life filled to overflowing with renewed hope, energy, and joy.

The Peace of Christ be with you.

Terry Newland, center, speaks to the crowd
gathered to dedicate the PDA Work Camp
at Gautier Presbyterian Church in Mississippi.