UPDATE: Look at comments section of this post for light work that you can do indoors TODAY
This morning, I was doing something very unusual. I was giving the morning devotion at the annual Executive Leadership Summit of the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association). I led a large room full of the leaders in the Christian publishing industry in Anglican Morning Prayer. As part of that prayer time, I gave a short homily in which I talked about the Gospel reading from today’s Daily Office.
This morning, I was doing something very unusual. I was giving the morning devotion at the annual Executive Leadership Summit of the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association). I led a large room full of the leaders in the Christian publishing industry in Anglican Morning Prayer. As part of that prayer time, I gave a short homily in which I talked about the Gospel reading from today’s Daily Office.
Jesus said “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
This week I have been in many homes that have been damaged or devastated. But I haven’t been with a single person in our community who is hopeless. Their earthly treasures have been destroyed, but their heavenly treasures endure. I got a chance to tell these publishers that. I praised the Lord for your hard work and faithfulness. Essentially, I got to brag about Christ in you.
So many of you have been out helping others in our community. Not only that, but you’ve been helping your coworkers, your neighbors, your family members, even perfect strangers. I’ve had several reports of Redeemer people who are working on a home that belongs to someone in our church, but then have gone next door to help a neighbor who has no one to help.
Over the next days and weeks, we will continue to help those in our church. But my vision is that we won’t stop there. As we finish up at a Redeemer home, I believe God will call us to the neighbor next door or across the street. Yes, we are a relatively small church. But the Holy Spirit is using you in mighty ways. I was just speaking to someone today who told me that just last week they were saying that they just didn’t see the universal Church in action. This week, they see the local church stepping into their lives and loving them like Christ.
For those of you who are not able to physically help, I encourage you to keep praying. For those of you who can only go out for a little bit, maybe over lunch or after work, can I make a suggestion? Drive into one of these affected neighborhoods and hand out some water, or some clean t-shirts, or some gloves. Go and pick up some trash or bring a cup of coffee to someone who is working. Volunteer to do some childcare. You don’t have to be part of an organized effort, you can be creative.
As I mentioned yesterday, we now have a designated fund set up at Redeemer. Every dollar given to the Flood Relief fund will go to help people in our congregation. You can bring a check on Sunday, or mail one in.
If you are in need of a dehumidifier or fan, I have just been turned on someone who can help us with that. Please let me know.
I am looking into ways to get our folks connected with FEMA and other aid resources. If you would like to aid in the effort to make these connections, please contact me.
OK, now down to work. Here is an update on where we are at various addresses. If you have information about these or other places that need help, please add these to the comment section of this blog or e-mail me at Thomas@RedeemerNashville.net or text/call me at 615-403-4009.
Homes that need help Thursday, May 6th
7556 Rolling River Parkway, 37221. This home has more work to be done. A crew will start work there around noon or 1 pm. This is a neighborhood that has been very hard hit. If you are in this area and happen to finish up, I would recommend just stepping next door. There is plenty to do.
508 Glenleigh Court 37221 is very close to the one on Rolling River Parkway. Please note that these neighborhoods have some accessibility issues due to closed bridges. Fortunately, some of these are opening. This home had a great deal of work done yesterday, and has some more to do. Once again, this neighborhood is in very bad shape. One of the neighbors has had almost no help at all. If you go to this house, the homeowner may well direct you to this neighbor.
124 and 137 Plantation Court 37221 will need work tomorrow. 137 is especially looking for some folks to come and clean their wooden furniture. They are hoping to save some of their special pieces, but the wood will need to be cleaned. If you can go over, please bring some wood cleaning materials. A member of the family intends to be there by 10 am, but the furniture is out back and you could just get started on it. Also, 124 may need more demolition work. These homes are part of a series of condos, populated mainly by older people, that has been incredibly hard hit. Some of these homes have had very little attention. If you can go to this area tomorrow, you will find work to do!
829 Sutton Hill Road 37204 needs some mechanical help tomorrow. If you know how to fix a lawnmower, they could use you. Once again, though, this is a home next to someone who has had very little help from outsiders. Let the homeowner direct you, if he doesn’t need you at the moment.
The family at 2920 McNairy Lane 37204 could use just a couple of people to come over and help sort through things and clean some things. This home is near the one on Sutton Hill.
OK, that’s what I’ve got for now. If you have more to add, please do so in the "Comments" section below.
Fr. Thomas McKenzie
