California Fires

Dear Church Family,

On Tuesday I assumed that I would start my first article of 2025 with, “Happy New Year!” But 24 hours later, those words feel somehow out of place as I have been in touch with clergy and friends who have spent the last 24 hours being evacuated and wondering whether their homes will be there when they return. Suddenly the phrase, “Happy New Year” doesn’t seem to be the best way to start this article.

Yesterday, I helped our Trustees Chair move furniture from the Fellowship Hall walkway to make sure it didn’t get blown over in the high winds. At the same moment, my friends were quickly grabbing what they could and putting it in their cars. For the rest of the evening, like many of you, I watched the reports in disbelief as places I had visited, shared meals, and worshipped were threatened by fast-moving fires. How quickly everything can change.

At the time of this writing (late afternoon on Wednesday), we have confirmed the loss of both the Altadena and Pacific Palisades United Methodist churches. We have also been told that Sierra Madre, La Cañada, and First UMC of Santa Monica are also at risk. Additionally, there are members and clergy of those churches who have lost their homes. This is a tragic time and my heart breaks for those faith communities as well as the larger community affected by these fires.

This morning as I was out on my walk, I thought a great deal about those people and lifted them up in prayer. But I also felt helpless knowing that there was very little I could do to directly ease their pain. But in that moment, I remembered that one of the hallmarks of the United Methodist tradition is that we are a “connectional” church. This means, that we are not just individual congregations – not just the people of St. Andrew’s or Pacific Palisades or Altadena. We are all United Methodist followers of Jesus together. And that means that none of us are alone.

In that moment I started texting the friends I knew who had been evacuated. I sent something that was simple and heartfelt:

No need to respond. Just know that you and your entire church community are in my thoughts today. I know there isn’t much tangible I can do beyond that but if there is let me know. Glad you’re all safe.
-Karl ️

This is how God is with us in times that are unimaginable. When we remind one another that we are not alone. God uses our hands, our hearts, and, even our texts, to remind us that God is present through our presence.

I invite you to join me in setting aside time each day this week to pray for those affected. By Sunday morning, I will have tangible ways you can contribute and help. If you want to keep up to date on what is happening in our United Methodist community, you can click the link below which will take you to the Cal-Pac UMC News. Our Bishop will be posting updates, videos, and ways that we can be the church together.

In the meantime, we will keep our brothers and sisters, their church communities, and the larger community in our prayers. If know someone affected by this tragedy, send them a text or note letting them know they are on your heart. And even as we all feel overwhelmed by this, we hold fast to the words of Psalm 46:1 which reads, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

With God’s Love,
Pastor Karl