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A message from Bishop Jim Gonia
We hold in love and prayer all who have lost their homes, including two pastor families
To my beloved people of the Rocky Mountain Synod,
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ... If one member suffers, all suffer together with it. (1 Corinthians 12:12, 26a)
All of us watched in horror as the wildfire in Boulder County was fueled by the winds and raged out of control. We then waited with those we know and love with homes in Superior and Louisville to learn of their outcomes. I am now saddened to share with you that among the hundreds who have lost their homes in the fire are two Rocky Mountain Synod pastor families and more than a dozen church member families.
Pastor Todd Payne and Pastor Stacy Payne (both on leave from call), and their three children lost their home in the fire in Louisville.
Pastor Stephanie Lord (serving Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Louisville), her husband, William McHardy, and their two children also lost their home in the fire in Louisville. We are grateful that the congregation's building was not impacted, but at least twelve church member families lost their homes. I will be present with the people of Christ the Servant at worship on January 2. I also have reports of some additional homes lost of other Boulder area church families.
Together, we walk with those who are on this journey of rebuilding their homes and lives, along with all others who may have lost loved ones, their homes, businesses, and livelihoods.
To all of the congregations, ministries, leaders, and communities of our Boulder Broomfield Conference who are impacted, we together hold you in prayer and share in your shock and sorrow at the suddenness and scale of this disaster. We stand ready to assist in any way possible.
Our ELCA Disaster Response team has already been in touch and will mobilize resources to support the people and communities most impacted. On Monday, January 3, I will be meeting by Zoom at 1 p.m. with Boulder County congregations and a representative of ELCA Disaster Response.
While the journey ahead will be long, particularly for those who have lost homes and businesses, we hope those impacted and those who minister to them will take comfort in the promise that you will not journey alone. As fellow members of the Body of Christ, we trust the Spirit will use us as vessels of God’s healing and hope in this time of need.
Yours in faith,
Bishop Jim
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