On Thursday, December 30, 2021, a wildfire raced through parts of our conference, destroying homes and livelihoods. We grieve with those who have lost so much, who now must pick up the pieces of their lives and begin again.
I give thanks for the ways United Methodists in the area stepped in to provide shelter and support in the midst of the crisis. This is at the heart of who we are as United Methodists: we know our faith is meant to be lived out in acts of compassion and mercy.
As a connectional church, we also embody a very basic understanding: we are one body, and when one member of the body suffers, we all suffer. We are called to relieve suffering and care for one another so the entire body can be whole.
We in the Mountain Sky Conference are responding to the Boulder County fire in several ways.
- Our conference’s disaster relief donation page is ready to accept your generosity. Be sure to designate this donation is for “Marshall Fire relief”.
- The United Methodist Church of Johnstown needs to replenish “fire buckets”. Typically, a hub for these revolutionary tools, the entire supply was exhausted last year due to the Denton, Montana fires. Please consider donations to rebuild the inventory by visiting the site here: https://johnstown.church/
- Our churches --- First UMC of Fountain and Erie UMC --- opened for evacuees with kitchens, spaces to rest and plenty of land to park vehicles.
We encourage you to help in all ways you are able.
May you continue to keep all impacted by the fire in your prayers, as well as first-responders and those who will continue to give care and support. May we find comfort and hope in these words of scripture:
I lift my eyes to the mountains. Where is help to come from? My help comes from God, who made Heaven and earth. God does not let our footsteps slip! Our guard does not sleep! The guardian of Israel does not slumber or sleep. God guards you, shades you. With Yahweh at your right hand the sun cannot harm you by day nor the moon at night. Yahweh guards you from harm, protects your lives; Yahweh watches over your coming and going, now and forevermore.
Blessings,
Bishop Karen Oliveto
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