Dear CRUMC family and friends,
As I shared on Sunday, one of our neighboring churches, Branches UMC (formerly Florida City UMC) suffered complete loss to their facility on Saturday night. I’ve included below some excerpts from notes of those close to the situation. I trust you will pray, act, and even be inspired in your own life by their faith.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned (Isaiah 43: 1-2).”
Although we are not promised that we won’t go through extreme trials, we are promised that God will be with us and that God’s grace will help us “pass through” that time or circumstance. Have you ever been afraid? I have. What did you hear God saying to you? Maybe something like he said to his disciples at the end, “Peace. Peace, I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled do not let them afraid.”
After several questions about the meaning of “fear the Lord” I’ve decided to spend a few weeks talking about Fear—both our human emotion and what the Bible says about fear. Who mor what should we fear? God? Evil? Hell? This week will mark Trinity Sunday and then we’ll start a new series on June 6th, Graduate Sunday. And, no, we shouldn’t fear an uncertain future either, Grads!
Please keep Branches UMC in your prayers and read to the end if you want to know ways to help…
Peace,
Pastor Amber
From Rev. Craig Nelson, Southeast District Superintendent…
In the wee hours of Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2010, Pastor Audrey Warren received a phone call that Branches United Methodist Mission (formerly Florida City United Methodist Church) was on fire. By 5:00 in the morning, the building had been gutted by fire, on the north side of building there were no outside walls, remains of furniture, or anything.
Rev. Warren orchestrated church for that morning anyway. A small tent was set up with an altar and communion elements awaited those who would gather. Plastic chairs were laid out in rows on the lawn, and a sound system was set up for the praise team.
The service started as a funeral, with remembrances of the building. One child expressed: “that’s the place where I met Jesus!” Others expressed the large impact Branches has had on their lives, and gave testimony of the transformative nature of what happened in that place. But after a time of prayer, the praise team moved to a time of praise and worship.
Branches’ ministry has suffered a great loss. The small Sanctuary also served as a tutoring hall for many children during the week. There was a Thrift Store that served the community during the week also. And every day the kitchen and small dining area was a hub for people coming and going.
All of that, including the playground that was so important to all the children of the Branches, has been lost. They need to fence the building as soon as possible so that the whole property does not end up condemned by the fire department. An adequate space for worship must be found by next week, a place that also would serve as air-conditioned space for tutoring. Furnishings for that facility will be needed soon.
Any one with the resources to help may contact the SE District office, or if you would like to donate money, go to the South FL Urban Ministries website and click “donate”.
From Rev. Alexis Talbot, Homestead UMC…
As many of you know, the Branches UM Mission sanctuary was devastated by fire at 1am on Pentecost Sunday morning. Though hopeful, morale is low and there is much pain and confusion in this community of faith made up of 70% of people under the age of 25. So many of their lives are in a shambles and the burning down of the church and the damage to the playground causes them to be in question all the more. So what can we do? MUCH!
Below are springboards for prayer and also other actions that can make a difference in the Branches Community and Congregation on a daily basis!
First and foremost we MUST pray:
-The firefighters and investigators are saying, “accident with suspicion.” More will be revealed soon.
-Pastor Audrey and Kim Torres need prayers for strength. Not only do they have to deal with the logistics that comes with a disaster, they still have programming for the community that starts at 2pm and does not end each night until 10pm.
-Pray for this community of faith who has suffered so much.
-Pray for insurance, investigations, adjusters, church and community leaders to stand with this sweet and powerful mission!
-Pray against discouragement and the spiritual forces of evil that are prevalent after a devastation like this!
Food:
Pastor Audrey and Kim were both at Branches at 7:00 this morning. They could use nutritious and high energy food and drink for lunch each day this week. There are 5-8 people on staff at any given time.
I’m not sure what the situation is for dinner. I will let you know in up and coming emails!
Counseling and quiet activities:
For most of the kids that are ministered to, Branches is their refuge and safe place. If you have any skill in counseling, please volunteer. We have learned that to focus on something productive to helpful. If you are crafty and have a small and simple kit that a child could quietly work on, bring them and yourself. Your kit is as good as counseling for some.
Thursday:
Thursdays are free days at Branches. There is nothing scheduled. This could be a good time for a dozen of you to get together and plan a nice event for the kids at Branches.
