Early Tuesday morning, the city of Cleveland woke to find that a beloved landmark and historic church, Euclid Avenue Congregational Church was ablaze. It had been struck by lightning in the storm that settled over the city in the early morning hours.
While searching for the words to write this story, the Insurance Board was forwarded this letter that appeared in the Netweaver, the newsletter of the UCC Western Reserve Association. Nothing we could write would accomplish what Rev. Curt Ackley does so eloquently.
"Friends, yesterday was an awe-full and amazing day in so many ways. The footage of the devastating fire at Euclid Avenue Congregational Church has been playing non-stop; member and journalist Leon Bibb has spoken eloquently in his own reports on television; Pastor Terri Young has led the congregation in a very poignant and empowering reflection on the meaning of their building as well as the meaning of their true church, the gathered congregation.
The congregation met last evening for worship; their spirit was upbeat even as they mourned their losses, which were legion. But as a winsome sign of their sense of mission, the first activity they discussed, once they had their holy week worship plans in place, was how many folks would be willing to step up to continue their feeding program. Within a minute, they had all the details in place to continue with that ecumenical ministry.
The church will be worshiping, at least for now, at 30th and Euclid, the Methodist church that stands empty since the merger of that congregation with the former Epler's Church. They were truly lifted by the signs of support from the community as they gathered. My own phones-- home, work and cell-- rang continuously all day yesterday, with offers for prayers, space, resources, and support. Well over a dozen different offers for space for the church to worship were passed on to the congregation as they planned their immediate future.
At last night's service, I shared the support offered by Western Reserve and Eastern Ohio churches, as well as from the ecumenical community. Pastor Terri shared that her own personal loss included her entire library, as well as every one of her stoles, her personal memorabilia from churches she had served, etc. Thankfully, the church was fully insured by our UCC insurance board program; but of course, so much of what was lost in the fire is irreplaceable. Nonetheless, as a sign of the support that all of you have been offering, I presented Terri with the stole that you gave me at my installation. The stole, made by Brenda Grauer, one of our WRA clergy, was designed after an Egyptian prayer rug. For eight years, I've worn it as a symbol of the network of all of our churches, holding one another in prayer. Now, it is a sign of the support that all of you have offered them.
There will no doubt be needs that the congregation surfaces in the days to come. But for right now, perhaps one tangible thing folks could do would be to support them with notes, cards, signs that they are not alone as they come into Easter. They have set up a post office box, so you could invite folks to send their communications to Euclid Avenue Congregational Church, PO Box 181430, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118. Let's decorate their Sanctuary for Easter with signs of your love and support!"
Many blessings and thanks,
