Mississippi church finds glimmers of hope as it starts to recover after …

[Episcopal News Service] The Rev. Greg Proctor, rector of Chapel of the Cross in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, and his congregation are finding hope in the aftermath of the devastating tornado that destroyed the church building when it hit the small Mississippi Delta town on March 24.

The Chapel of the Cross in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, was destroyed by a tornado that struck the town on March 24. Photo: The Episcopal Church in Mississippi

Losing the church so close to the start of Holy Week, Proctor said, was an extra reminder of the basics of one’s faith. “I’ve told folks that we are Resurrection people, and that we will be resurrected from the kind of death we have experienced in the church,” he said. “We are an Easter people, and what better time to celebrate Easter … having experienced this loss? We will rise up and continue to be the Chapel of the Cross.” Much of the church was destroyed both by winds up to 170 mph and by the collapse of its three-story brick bell tower, which Proctor told Episcopal News Service fell vertically into the church.

The front wall still stands, without a roof or its stained-glass window. The congregation has been offered a place to worship this Sunday and for what Proctor thinks will be about a month at First Methodist Church in Cary, a few miles out of town. The congregation plans to return to worship in the parish hall, once it is repaired and electrical and water services restored.

The parish was founded in 1870, Proctor said, and the building itself was constructed in 1924 and is the only worship space current parishioners have ever known. “We are experiencing a death experience,” he said. “There is a loss there that we’re not going to be able to replace.” But he added, “We’re going to have to be born anew and be what we become and move forward.” The congregation is small, with an average Sunday attendance 14. And contrary to earlier reports, Proctor said, only two of his parishioners had damage to their homes.

Despite their small size, he believes that God is calling Chapel of the Cross members to be a force to help people in their community recover. “We are a people of faith, and it’s a gift from God, and we live out that faith daily,” he said. “And that’s what we’re doing right now, in so many ways we never thought we would.” But it’s hard for him to say what recovery will look like for the community with a population of about 1,900. Much of the downtown area was destroyed, he said, even though very few businesses were there any longer, and those that had moved out near Highway 61 also were lost. “Some will rebuild, but others are just gonna walk away, I’m afraid.

Time will tell,” he said. The Rev. Cathrine Halford, a deacon at St.

Columb’s in Ridgeland who serves as the disaster coordinator for the Episcopal Church in Mississippi told ENS that she has visited the town several times since the tornado hit, to hand out gift cards and just listen to those who wanted to talk. She thinks that regardless of what businesses do, most folks will rebuild in Rolling Fork. “This is their home,” she said, “and that’s where they want to stay. They’re going to be sure that they have a house to go back into, just to sleep in their own bed.”

But right now, “You can’t get through the town,” she added. Debris removal is in full swing with bulldozers and cranes, she said, and streets are lined with utility trucks from all over the Southeast working to restore power. Folks with large grills are providing meals, disaster organization RVs are everywhere and “even the Tide folks are there with washers and dryers,” she added.

Mississippi sees disastrous weather now almost year-round, Halford said, with tornados in the fall and spring and hurricanes in the summer, which means that relief agencies usually are ready to help quickly because they have so much experience. Episcopalians from other dioceses also contacted her immediately after the storm hit, offering money, gift cards and water, which she said will come in handy after relief organizations have left. Information about diocesan relief efforts is here.

One of Proctor’s first tasks is to provide the insurance company with a complete inventory of every item that was in the church, which he said is proving hard “because they aren’t right there in front of me.” And on April 4, he and church leaders will meet with an architect to see what, if anything, from the existing church structure can be saved and what possibilities exist for building on the same footprint. “We just don’t have any idea what we’re facing with regard to that,” he said, but he doubted they would be able to replicate the building they lost, which was built of stone and brick.

Cabinets in the sacristy of the Chapel of the Cross in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, helped silver and brass items escape damage from the tornado that destroyed the church on March 24. Photo: Cathrine Halford The church’s altar, as well as all the silver communion vessels and most of the brass items came through the storm unharmed, since they were on the opposite corner of the building from the bell tower.

They also found that the bell had survived its fall into the nave. One of the church’s 17 stained-glass windows also was left intact – a new one, installed just two weeks ago in the parish office to honor the oldest living member of the congregation. Proctor said they will dedicate it this Sunday as planned, and then cover it with plywood so it won’t be damaged as debris removal and eventual construction take place.

And on March 29, the baptismal font was found under the massive pile of bricks from the bell tower collapse. People dug through the bricks with their hands, aided by a backhoe that moved some of the larger debris, and they found the old marble font, intact with just a few chips, at the bottom of the pile, Proctor said. Proctor is aware of the long road ahead for his church and its members, who he said were experiencing a variety of emotions. “We have some people who are very pragmatic and say we have to take it as it is and move on.

Others are a little more sentimentally attached to the old building and are in mourning, some, and in shock, some,” he said.

Melodie Woerman is a freelance writer and the former director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas.

caledonian-travel listed on couponmatrix.ukgame listed on couponmatrix.ukhelly-hansen listed on couponmatrix.uksingle-price listed on couponmatrix.uksmyths listed on couponmatrix.ukvapoholic listed on couponmatrix.uk
caledonian-travel listed on couponmatrix.ukEmbark on your next adventure with Caledonian Travel, your go-to destination for booking coach holidays in the UK, Ireland or Europe. With Caledonian Travel, you have the opportunity to discover some of the most breathtaking scenery in Britain, from picturesque seaside towns to serene countryside landscapes. Alternatively, you can opt for a thrilling family getaway to Alton Towers or set your sights on exploring European cities like Vienna. Make use of a Caledonian Travel discount code to unlock substantial discounts, turning your dream trip into a budget-friendly reality. Simply select your desired destination and departure location to start your travel plans.
game listed on couponmatrix.ukPlayStation vs. Xbox, PC vs console, AMD vs nVidia… some debates will never be settled, but there’s no debate that GAME is the premier retailer for gamers all over. Whether you’re a keen e-sportsperson or a casual player, a GAME discount code will save you on your next purchase. You’ll be up and running with the latest games and hardware and delving into a whole new world of gaming experience thanks to GAME.
helly-hansen listed on couponmatrix.ukFounded in Norway in 1877, Helly Hansen is the expert when it comes to clothing to protect you from the elements. Experience the Great Outdoors in comfort using a Helly Hansen discount code to save on everything from rain jackets and sailing pants to base layers and beachwear. If you’re looking for professional-grade clothing and equipment for skiing, hiking and sailing, Helly Hansen’s unique heritage and innovation put it in first place every time.
single-price listed on couponmatrix.ukFor affordable, no-fuss fashion that doesn’t skimp on style, turn to SinglePrice and its extensive inventory of fashion, footwear, accessories and beauty products. Compiling quality clothing and gear before offering it all at incredibly reasonable rates, you’ll be amazed at how low prices go with our SinglePrice voucher codes at Groupon. Looking your best doesn’t have to cost you half a paycheck, not when you can shop smart and get a whole new look for less at SinglePrice. If the prices on offer at SinglePrice don’t amaze you enough already, know that you can get the same threads for up to 50% less by opting to shop in the SinglePrice sale. Whether you’re looking for fresh sports vest to get your sweat on at the gym or high-waist jeans to show off your curves, there’s enough variety in the sale section to fill any gaps in your wardrobe on a budget. Simple comes hand-in-hand with style whenever you opt for a SinglePrice top. Comfy, affordable and available in dozens of different colours and motifs, there’s bound to be a top amongst this diverse portfolio that vibes with your preferred style and colour palette. Bring along a SinglePrice discount code and you could bag two tops for the price of one! It doesn’t matter whether you’re mingling with friends in town or lounging it on your sofa, a SinglePrice top can be adapted to every scenario.
smyths listed on couponmatrix.ukStocking the latest and greatest children’s toys in the UK, Smyths promises fantastic quality, competitive prices and excellent customer service. From dolls and dinosaurs to slime and science kits, there’s something to keep every kid entertained at Smyths. Make every celebration affordable with a Smyths discount code and enjoy gifting your little ones for less. Action figures are always a favourite among kids, that’s why Smyths provides such a hugely diverse range, including the likes of Barbie, Paw Patrol, Lego and hundreds more. Get the whole family active with outdoor games, bikes, scooters and keep everyone feeling happy and healthy.
vapoholic listed on couponmatrix.ukEnjoy the sweet satisfaction of your favourite flavours at Vapoholic, the brand that aims to provide the highest quality e-liquids and vaping kits at the most affordable prices. Whether you’re a newcomer or regular vaper, you can make the most of a Vapoholic discount code to enjoy a premium vaping experience without the premium price tag. There are even mods, coils and tanks for hardcore users to customise their vaping devices, making Vapoholic your one-stop shop for all your e-liquid essentials.