In its destructive wake, 20 people were left dead in Graves County and even more displaced, parted from their belongings, heat and running water, unsure of where to start in the long, arduous path toward recovery. | Already a subscriber? Jersey "There is so much damage to our facilities. Croatia/Hrvatska This gives us a way we are able to help., Lewis and Webster both invoke this thought: Kind acts are like snowflakes. He believes in a sovereign God but could come up with no theological reasoning for why the tornado delivered such a deadly blow to Mayfield and not some other town. The pair rushed into a closet when they realized the storm was directly over them. Bhutan As we look at how did Paul survive the storms of life, what keys can he share with us? The church was invited by the nearbyChrist United Methodist Church to join them in worship on Sunday. Damage remains in Mayfield, Kentucky, after a devastating 2021 tornado outbreak ripped through . Congo, Republic of She directed the children's . A friend in the ministry had called to check in on him. "We grieve, we cry and we hug and we pull ourselves together and go to the next step of trying to recover and rethink where we want to be as a church, but our people have stayed strong during all of this," he said. She and her husband Bob were married there. Grenada This isnt one disaster, Doehnert said. An altar depicting Michelangelo's "The Last Supper" remained standing while the rest of the church suffered catastrophic damage from the deadly tornado that struck Mayfield, Kentucky, last weekend. TBU FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO TRAVEL DOWN TO THE PURCHASE AREA, I GOT TO TELL YOU. The power was still out at His House Ministries in Mayfield when Pastor Stephen Boyken addressed the nearly 100 people whod gathered on Sunday morning. Once the storm passed, his phone rang. Austria Privacy Statement. Belarus San Marino While he believes God did allow the tornado to happen, he had no answer as to why the western Kentucky community where he was baptized, grew up and chose to raise his family wasnt spared from the Friday night storms that left dozens dead and communities reeling across at least five states. Andy Beshear made that announcement Wednesday. Eritrea Amazon Has Uncanny Dupes of CB2's Popular Dining Chair for Hundreds Less. New Zealand People do. All of the residents survived. Copyright 2023 The Presbyterian Outlook. Their decision not to go was a great decision because the whole church is in the basement now, First Presbyterian Church member Danny Upton said. #Mayfield #MayfieldTornado #KyWx #WX pic.twitter.com/IcPL4XGtPS, WxChasing- Brandon Clement (@bclemms) December 11, 2021. Antarctica The first is rescue. I had to look at my little 8-year-old girl, who looks to me for answers, he said, and I had to say I dont know. One wall of the church too appears to have given in. Italy The governor added that more than 80 people had been killed in the path of a tornado stretching at least 200 miles. In one of the pews was Brother Bob Waldridge, whos own church, Yahweh Baptist in downtown Mayfield, was decimated. 20 people were left dead in Graves County and even more displaced. We actually got to do a family picture in front of the building, Juanita said. But the church's. This is a drawing moment, yall. Another 2,500 were prepped to give away Sunday. THESE ARE WONDERFUL FOLKS WHO ARENT GOING TO TAKE A DAY OFF LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER TRAGEDY STRUCK. I feel confident that he has a purpose for each of us, and that in the midst of this, he will get the glory.. It said "joy is often mistaken for happiness," Reed explained. If he survived, we can also survive, Pastor Sahawneh said. Church leaders are in touch with Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort. By BOBBY ROSS Jr. January 28, 2022. Several church members lost or sustained severe damage to their homes. Disaster Response Heartbroken by the destruction, Samples wanted to help any way she could. Our members are strong in their faith, and they are helping one another, Webster said Saturday afternoon. Afghanistan What you hear is people who have grown up in Mayfield say they want Mayfield to live again. Northern Mariana Islands I get choked up every Christmas Eve service as we sing Silent Night by candlelight, and trust me, this year was no easier at all., Candles are lit during a Christmas Eve service with members of First Presbyterian Church and First Christian Church in an empty lot between their destroyed church buildings in Mayfield, Kentucky. Donna Webster, Centrals transitional pastor, says the church was left untouched, which has helped put it in a position to serve its members and the community. The altar serves as the church's communion table. Liberia Beshear says tornado death toll remains at 74, with 12 kids among victims. Czech Republic Heard and McDonald Islands Saint Vincent and the Grenadines They gave their time. "Its the center of our worship experience," the church's senior minster, Dr. Milton West, said on the 3rd hour of TODAY Monday. Guernsey One of the distinctive features of the tornado outbreak in Western Kentucky Dec. 10 and 11 is how widespread the severe damage is. I dont know.. Reverend Joey Reed, lead pastor at the church, said to the Los Angeles Times that with the roof gone, he could no longer worship at his church. In his sermon, Barger reflected on the time Jesus was born into, the brutal rule of Caesar Augustus. Guyana Connect. Japan "The table of the Lord is intact," the church wrote on Facebook alongside photos of the altar. The sanctuary of Mayfield First United Methodist Church in Mayfield, Ky., after a devastating tornado leveled the small town Dec. 10-11. The mission-oriented questions may come into play more in what the structure looks like and how it can be structured to serve the congregation and the community. A 100-year-old church in Kentuckys Mayfield was destroyed in seconds as a massive tornado struck the state on Friday night, leaving behind a trail of destruction. A 100-year-old church in Kentucky 's Mayfield was destroyed in seconds as a massive tornado struck the state on Friday night, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Mexico Andorra All Rights Reserved. The city of Mayfield's Mayor, Kathy O'Nan, is overjoyed and adds, "There are no words big enough to explain how thankful the people of Mayfield, KY are to Trace Adkins for coming here on May 20 for the filming of the video for his song 'Somewhere In America.' In December 2021, an EF4 tornado tore through and devastated our small town . One lady, who fell in and out of consciousness, just asked him to hold her hand. Taiwan The pair rushed into a closet when they realized the storm was directly over them. SO WE REALIZED IT WAS OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS. An altar and a cross at the First Christian Church of Mayfield remained standing despite most of the building being destroyed by a tornado. South Africa Cathy Lewis, a Central Presbyterian Church member and owner ofGather on Mainrestaurant, said through some friendship connections she was contacted by World Central Kitchen. A tornado devastated the community on Dec. 10, 2021. Members of the Seven Oaks Church of Christ in Mayfield have lost homes and businesses, minister Tyler Alverson told The Christian Chronicle. The minister said he will speak with the churchs elders soon to confirm, but the church likely will have a worship service on Sunday. Alone they are small, but together they cover everything., Even if it doesnt look a lot like Christmas . Ghana The oldest. "But happiness can change at a turn of events. Heres how to help tornado victims in Western Kentucky. "72 years like I said at the beginning, 72 years on the bench is kind of unheard of but she's honored that, she plays, she rehearses.". Cyprus Island Gather on Main has been preparing hundreds of box lunches for the World Central Kitchen to distribute in places like downtown Mayfield. Kelly Clarkson's Home Collection Is Up to 74% Off During Way Day Deals, The Best Wayfair Way Day Deals 2023 Starting at $30. Bolivia Last week, as collapsed houses were marked clear of victims and turned . Uzbekistan But the restaurant wanted to carry on last Saturday, helping give children some sense of normalcy amid the chaos. Its more challenging to serve him when times are bad, and I think thats really when people are looking to see if our faith is genuine, if our faith is true.. If this brings the people of God together, if this one event would bring one soul to God, it would be worth it, he said. Despite the loss of his church, Waldridge, who calls himself a practical preacher, was optimistic. Weve always tried to be of service to the community, said Melinda Craig, First Presbyterian Churchs clerk of session. This story was originally published December 13, 2021, 10:04 AM. Philippines AN ID LOOKED UP TO SEE THE SCOPE OF THE DAMAGE AND REALIZED THAT I WAS LOOKING AT THE SKY THE CHURCH SUSTAINED A LOT OF DAMAGE, BUT HES STILL STANDING. Gambia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya This aerial image shows a church damaged by a tornado after extreme weather hit the region on 12 December 2021, in Mayfield, Kentucky. "Right now, our spirits are crushed, but we'll come back," said Hopkins County. One consistent message they were hearing was that relief groups were overwhelmed with material donations. Debris surrounds a badly damaged church in Mayfield, Ky., Dec. 11, 2021, after a devastating tornado ripped through the town. If their house is gone, but theres rubble, maybe they just need help picking up the rubble looking for that one photograph, looking for that family Bible, looking for that blanket or something they can hold on to, he advised. Mali "I put it on speaker, so my wife could hear, and he said a prayer of thanksgiving that we were okay. He said that when he saw the rubble remains of the church on Friday, he wondered how on earth could he deliver his scheduled sermon on joy. Thailand Behind him, a generator-powered spotlight hummed. Yahweh Baptist Church in downtown Mayfield, Ky., was devastated by a tornado that ripped through the region on Friday, Dec., 10, 2021. But the church's pastor is counting his blessings and is still finding joy in the Advent season. That act, according to the pastor, was a start. Bahrain Panama Andy Beshear said could help rebuild around 600 homes. Somalia Presbyterian Disaster Assistanceis one of theCompassion, Peace & Justiceministries of thePresbyterian Mission Agency. But the fulfillment of the promise that was celebrated then is the same promise to be celebrated today, Barger said. Photograph: Brandon Bell/Getty Images. 2023 www.courier-journal.com. Montenegro Sao Tome and Principe Check back to kentucky.com for story updates. Maldives Kyrgyzstan I am also praying for those who were injured and saw their homes or businesses damaged or destroyed. First Name *, Email Address *, Country * For now, the church has made the breakroom at Kendor Wood, a kitchen cabinet door factory owned by the Uptons, its worship space. The sanctuary is now a jumbled mess of bricks, pews and organ pipes. I think God, of course, was in the middle of this and helped them learn more about each other so they can lean on one another.. Iran Click here to support PDAs response to December tornadoes in the Midwest. Marshall Islands Boykens church service this Sunday morning would be brief he and others were poised to dispatch groups of volunteers across the community to help families sort through their wreckage. (Photo by Ryan C. Hermens, Lexington Herald-Leader). It probably lasted 30 seconds or more. One church member was in the candle factory, Wunderlich said, but was able to leave unharmed. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. An altar featuring a carving of Michelangelo's The Last Supper remained undamaged at the First Christian Church of Mayfield while the rest of the building was torn apart on Dec. 10 from tornadoes that have killed at least 64 people across six states. Nestled in the heart of downtown, the Mayfield First United Methodist Church was in the direct path of Friday night's tornado. Volunteer with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Volunteer for Elected Service at the General Assembly Level, After a tornado destroyed its building, a Kentucky church begins to move forward. Bangladesh The First Presbyterian Sunday morning service was attended by several dozen members, turning the break room into a standing-room-only venue. Peru Nigeria Aruba See latest map, Fayette County schools not following law on gifted education, parents lawsuit claims, Transfer portal talk: Former Ivy League star with family ties to John Calipari in portal, Head-on crash leaves one person with life-threatening injuries, Lexington police say, After being drafted by Commanders, Chris Rodriguez knows his mom would be proud, US Army: Helicopters crashed in mountains, fair weather, Officer critically injured in Louisville bank shooting is now able to open his eyes, Lexington? Then well have a family picture in front of that church.. Suriname 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WLKY-TV. China They have a standing invitation to take cover there, the only home with a basement in her neighborhood. (Photo courtesy of First Presbyterian Church). Cuba Cook Islands Joy is something that abides. GEM in partnership with @bethennyfrankel's Bstrong initia." Global Empowerment Mission on Instagram: "ATTENTION MAYFIELD Tornado survivors. warehouse-like building had collapsed on workers. You dont know what you have until its gone: Bowling Green begins tornado clean up, Drone footage shows storm damage in Bowling Green, KY. West believes one silver lining is that the tragedy can unite people during a time of fractured "political, theological, personal views. Lebanon Across the street in the churchs childrens building, the decorated Christmas tree in the foyer was miraculously untouched, but glass shards, soggy ceiling tiles and other debris were strewn across the floor as workers scrambled to cover holes in the roof of the congregations temporary worship space. She also works as the financial secretary for the church, too. Unless fulfilling specific requests for items, the best way people can help is todonate to groups like Presbyterian Disaster Assistanceso funds can be used to address short- and long-term needs as people in the communities determine. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Doehnert and Melloan have both been on the NRT for nearly a decade, responding to incidents from California wildfires to East Coast hurricanes, and many disasters in between. (Photo courtesy of First Presbyterian Church), Danny continued, Weve got lots of family pictures in that church. Minister of Kentucky church talks about damage from tornado, Deadly tornado flattens Amazon warehouse in Illinois, killing at least 6, Families of Kentucky candle factory victims speak out after deadly tornado. Somebody said, Isnt that a little morbid, like a family picture in front of a coffin?, The site of First Presbyterian Church Mayfields former building was for the most part cleared a month after a tornado destroyed the structure. Our faith is positive, and God is never the author of bad things in peoples lives.". Minton added that a tornado caused heavy damage to the Graves County Courthouse in Mayfield. The space includes objects from the former building, including a stained glass window, the Communion table cross, and the choir room piano, which was filled with dust from the tornado, making it a challenge to retune. This pretty much sums it up in :19. Nothing was salvageable except for the communion table.. Slovak Republic Mozambique Tokelau About 75% of one town, Dawson Springs in western Kentucky, was wiped out by the tornado, Mayor Chris Smiley said. United Arab Emirates Senior minister Dr. Milton West told Today on Monday that following the tornado, the structural integrity of the building was rendered so poor that the staff feared the whole thing would soon collapse. Myanmar Latvia Jordan An altar featuring a carving of Michelangelo's The Last Supper remained undamaged at the First Christian Church of Mayfield while the rest of the building was torn apart on Dec. 10 from. But for now, they say First Presbyterian is comfortable having its own space where it doesnt have to work around another congregations schedule. AND REALLY I GOT TO TELL YOU. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, US Army: Helicopters crashed in mountains, fair weather, Army identifies 3 soldiers killed in Alaska helicopter crash, Recent U.S. military helicopter crashes in training missions, Kentucky tornado news latest: Fears death toll could pass 100 as Biden approves disaster declaration, He could have made it home: Woman claims Amazon told boyfriend to stay for tornado that took his life, Kentucky is my warm-hearted home. The pastor, who had taken shelter in a closet, said when the storm had passed he looked up and saw the sky. Your donation helps us not only keep our quality of journalism high, but helps us continue to reach more people in the Churches of Christ community. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Luke 23:42, 2023 Presbyterian Mission Agency Privacy Policy | PC(USA) Donor Privacy Policy | GDPR Privacy Policy | Legal Notices. He has fielded offers of help from churches as far away as New York as well as individuals in Florida and Illinois: Some people are just loading up what they have and bringing it here.. All I care about is the fact that the most valuable possessions in my life, my wifes life, my children, theyre all safe. What is there to celebrate, Barger asked, and then answered his own question: Light and life cannot be destroyed., by Rich Copley, Presbyterian News Service. A deadly tornado tore through Mayfield, Ky. on Dec. 10, leaving behind piles of debris and destroyed buildings in its wake. U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie,a member of the University Heights Church of Christ in Bowling Green, Ky., posted the following message: Im saddened and shocked by the reports of horrific tornadoes that went through Kentucky and surrounding states last night. Niger Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com In the. A Kentucky minister survived a catastrophic tornado in the hard-hit city of Mayfield by taking shelter with his wife in the basement closet of their church much of which turned into rubble . WELCOME HOME. Hungary A tornado that was thought to have started in Arkansas barreled through Mayfield as it entered Kentucky, then continued through Eddyville, Princeton and Dawson Springs, said Lexington's WKYT. For those who want to donate directly to the church, visit mayfieldfirst.comand click on the "Giving" tab. Simmons isn't retiring anytime soon, but leaders say it's important to honor her now. Cayman Islands Uruguay I know a lot of yall feel broken. Nicaragua deadly tornado Uganda There was a problem saving your notification. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Pictures do not do justice to what we see, Samples said. Mayotte The Northside church also plans to have Sunday worship, although church leaders are moving the meeting time to 3 p.m. to allow members to use the morning daylight to begin the long recovery process. "Until we know the soundness of the remaining structure, we ask that everyone please, please, please stay clear of the wreckage. Video shows tornado damage in Mayfield, Kentucky WTVR CBS 6 122K subscribers Subscribe 993 Share 166K views 1 year ago Kentucky's governor says a devastating tornado touched down for 227. Ecuador Ways to volunteer, donate. You have permission to edit this article. Burundi Wes Fowler and his family emerged to devastation stretching for blocks: Crackling power lines, piles of rubble and calls for help they couldn't pinpoint in the darkness. Falkland Islands Turkmenistan First Christian Church in Mayfield, Kentucky, experienced the disaster firsthand. In the basement fellowship hall after the Hardmoneys service, people, including members of Yahweh, fixed plates of food. With the churchs roof ripped off completely, the building stood vulnerable to collapsing. Blake Schuecraft, associate pastor, said church leadership formed three teams in the wake of the storm: One to help affected members of the congregation, which numbers around 350 on Sundays; a second to focus on patching up and cleaning the First Baptist campus; and a third to serve the broader community of about 10,000 people and coordinate offers of aid. Colombia That began simply with intrepid church members who went in on the days after the tornado struck to retrieve items including a stained-glass window, the cross from the churchs Communion table, the churchs handbells, and the blueprints for the building. YOURE A NO STRANGER TO WEST KENTUCKY. You got to have a kingdom mindset.. MAYFIELD, Kentucky (PNS) Davis Mills looked down at the painting in a box in the back parking lot of First Presbyterian Church in Mayfield, Kentucky, late Saturday afternoon and said, Thats what it used to look like.. Yes, and Amen people responded, some raising their hands. MAYFIELD, Ky. As the temperature dipped well below freezing and frost spread over car windows, about 150 men and women shuffled Sunday morning into the First Baptist Church on the corner of. We do not embrace that notion at all. Several of the Uptons sons were married there, and their grandchildren were baptized there. I DONT KNOW HOW BAD THE DAMAGE I DONT KNOW WHERE MY CAR IS. Located a couple of miles outside Mayfield, the area was not hit by the twister so she gasped when she saw the scope of the destruction in town. When speaking about her congregation, Simmons said, "they're like familyJust a family.". Sunday's event caught Simmons by surprise. Spain WE are the church. There is even talk of having picnics at a park space adjacent to the factory when spring and summer come and developing other creative alternatives for worship. Its a little bit disconcerting to be at the other end.. Mayfield First Assembly of God Church - Mayfield, KY - Welcome Home. Debbie Samples, a member of First Baptist for about 20 years, spent hours Monday brewing pot after pot of coffee that was handed out in Styrofoam cups to community cleanup crews and to neighbors through the rolled-down windows of cars creeping through the devastated downtown. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. French Southern Territories Their children were baptized in that church building, which stood for more than 100 years. The church also plans to use its facility as a staging point for relief. Shes from Owensboro, Ky., and previously worked at the Bangor Daily News and other newspapers in Maine. "We heard furniture in the foyer bouncing around and then we felt fresh air under the closet doors and we realized it was open to the elements somehow," Reed said. Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Nestled in the heart of downtown, the Mayfield First United Methodist Church was in the direct path of Friday night's tornado. The familys home was destroyed in the tornado. One church family considered taking refuge in the churchs basement as the storms approached. The Nashville-based ministry is sending trucks of relief supplies that should arrive Saturday evening, Alverson said. Guinea-Bissau By mid-morning, Wes Fowler, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Mayfield, was walking through his damaged church building, torn to pieces by the devastating tornado that ripped through. Nepal "Probably the gift that is the greatest is her faithfulness," said Stephens. After people were dismissed, as volunteers in the church lobby hastily readied food for takeaway meals and arranged supplies, including shampoo and soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, Boyken said, theres different stages of recovery.. As Lewis spoke, Gather on Main was hosting its Cookies and Milk with Santa event. Congo, Democratic People's Republic More than 30 tornadoes were reported across six states late. MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) After riding out the violent tornado that devastated their town in a tunnel under their church, the Rev. That will determine what your structure looks like.. Its who calls on us or who we call on when things are down its Christ, and we hope that we can shine for him through this.. Fiji 'Well make it': Some Mayfield residents staying put in damaged homesThe only ones at the church, in fact, were the pastor and his wife, who thought the 100-year-old building would be a good place to wait out the storm. Bob Sims also made a few announcements on behalf of the churchs deacons, including efforts to find new meeting spaces for some groups that used the church, including Alcoholics Anonymous, and how to find the family the church was sponsoring in an adopt-a-family program for the holidays. A 100-year-old building that houses First United Methodist Church in Mayfield, Kentucky, was destroyed in the tornadoes that ripped through the state on Friday. Comoros They hid in a church closet basement, Reed said. Some of its stained-glass windows blew out and a wall was cracked, delaying its reopening. Lets pray right now.. Benin Andy Beshear said, after a devastating night of storms that stretched from Arkansas to Illinois. The church continues to ask the public to stay clear of the building,20 N. Main St. "It is not safe to be in there," the church posted Saturday and reminded the publicSunday. A church community in Kentucky has found a symbol of hope still standing in the rubble of their house of worship after the church suffered catastrophic damage from a tornado last week. Kazakhstan Mayfield First United Methodist Church, which has been in the town since 1920, has been completely devastated. Read more: https://wapo.st/3dRiEGx. The federal funding from . Syrian Arab Republic 1:09 A 100-year-old building that houses First United Methodist Church in Mayfield, Kentucky, was destroyed in the tornadoes that ripped through the state on Friday. This church has been a vital part of our lives, but its not just the building its our church family, Samples said. Qatar Gabon
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