I have written about our emergency and disaster planning in the past. While some of that work is on hold during our administrative transitions, we are still part of the Golden Isles Disaster Faith Network. Uli Keller and Phil Eastman represent us on that body’s planning group. Yesterday was the first time the network was called to action due to a large-scale local emergency: the fires in Brantley County. We were able to respond immediately and are still responding, as you’ve seen in an email earlier today.
Part of our Christ Church emergency plan is that Backpack Buddies will always have 100 food bags available for any emergency. We primarily envisioned that food coming in handy for post-tropical relief, but we were able to deliver it, along with additional food, water, and Gatorade, relatively quickly. We had it at a partner church just across the Glynn County line within less than 8 hours of the request being sent, thanks to Christ Church volunteers. Susan Shipman sprang into action, and Jim and George Barger provided muscle and transportation. I am pleased to report that at least one other network partner had also delivered a load of supplies quickly.
The fires are not far beyond our Glynn County border. With dozens of homes burned so far, these are our literal neighbors. There are more than a few people who have been evacuated from their homes, or who have already lost theirs, with many more on alert if the winds shift again. I’m sure most of us know someone affected or are only one degree away from a personal connection.
The needs and type of support for Brantley County will change in the coming days and weeks. Once the fires are extinguished, those who lost everything will need help with household items, clothing, and a host of other things we all take for granted and miss terribly when they are destroyed. We spoke with some of the leaders at Waynesville Missionary Baptist Church while making the delivery, and two of the half dozen volunteers collecting items have been evacuated from their homes. One man, who we know at Christ Church from one of our regular Pig Pickin’ caterers, was pretty sure his home was burned yesterday, but officials aren’t letting anyone into his neighborhood to check. After we unloaded the Christ Church trailer, we stood in a circle, and he prayed for his neighbors, the firefighters, and acknowledged that the most important thing is people, not items.
How true. People are what matter. We are called to love our neighbors, and I know this congregation will continue to do so. If you would like to support efforts in Brantley County, please know we can help you do that and will keep you posted about needs. You can also make a general donation to support disaster response, as our Christ Church emergency planning team prepares supplies for future emergencies. This won’t be the last natural disaster or emergency in our community, and we want to be ready for the next one as we were ready for this one.
We all agreed yesterday, standing amid cases of water, tables of food, and personal items, and with the grief of the fire’s impact palpably present, that God is good. Even in, and perhaps especially in, times like this. We are part of God’s goodness. Thank you, Christ Church. This parish has long been responsive when our neighbors are in need, and I know that will continue.
