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Messages continue to pour in from individuals, churches and other
organizations expressing both condolences and encouragement at the loss
of our church building. Here is a small sample; many more are posted on
a bulletin board in the First Methodist Church dining room: "Dear
Members of Euclid Avenue UCC,
What an emblem of faith and hope, to open my mailbox this morning and
find the April issue of the Beacon inside, right on schedule. Terri’s
words about Good Friday and Easter, Dean’s reflections on the meaning of
hymns with new immediacy, the photographs, and so much more tell of
heartache and the love that will continue to hold you together.When the
time is right, a future Beacon will herald courageous new thinking, new
plans. But for now I grieve with you, pray with you, and send each and
all of you my love."
Daniel L. Johnson(former EACC interim pastor)
Bethel, Maine "We are so sorry to hear about the loss of the
building. My grandfather Arthur Burt, great-grandfather Arthur Edwin
Burt, and great-great grandfather Henry Clay Burt all were members, my
aunt tells me. You are all in our prayers."
Elizabeth Moor Haberstroh
Bay Shore, New York "Dear Members and Staff of Euclid Avenue
Church –
I was saddened to learn this evening of the church’s fire. I grieve with
all of you for your loss!
With my husband, the late Scott Libbey, I belonged to Euclid Avenue for
a short but very meaningful time from 1991-94 when Scott was Executive
Vic President of the World Board, now Wider Church Ministries. I wish to
express my thoughts to all – but especially to Tim Robson who led us so
beautifully in worship the years we were there. I know you already have
been surrounded by supportive people and neighboring churches. As your
minister said: the church is its people, and fortunately you have that
marvelous resource with which to go forward. Blessings on all of you,"
Jean Libbey, Des Moines, Iowa "SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS"
FROM: MT OLIVET "To our brothers and sisters in Christ
at Euclid Avenue UCC,
We mourn with you the loss of your church building. We celebrate with
you the resurrection of Easter. We pray God’s direction and blessings on
your church family."
North Congregational UCC
Columbus, Ohio "Dear Rev. Young and congregation –
What a difference one day and one unexpected disaster can make…When I
learned of the fire which took your historic church building, I felt
great sorrow and empathy for all of you. While it is true that “a church
is not a building,” it is also true that a building often becomes
identified with our memories, our celebrations, our special family or
church moments, and the loss of it is profound. I hope you can allow
yourselves to grieve, even as you trust in god’s abiding grace and
amazing power to renew and resurrect. God will make a way forward,
Sending you the prayers and blessings of the Back Bay Mission,"
Rev. Shari Prestemon
Bilxoi, Mississippi "Dear Friends,
Greetings to all!
As a former pastor (1969-78), I am grieving with you in the loss of the
beautiful building with so many memories. But as your interim pastor and
many others have said, the church is the people gathered as a community.
Nancy, Becky, Dirk and Kevin join me with greetings and prayers for your
recovery from the ashes."
Roy Nyren
Boca Raton, Florida May God bless you today and always.
(attached to a hand-knitted prayer square, enough for every member of
our congregation and then some. If you did not receive yours, please see
one of the ushers.)
Buckland United Church of Christ
Buckland, Ohio The following poem was written for us by a
member of St. Peter’s, one of the Catholic churches recently closed by
the diocese. NO CHOICE
We enjoyed the luxury of long preparation
They had none
A phone call
Announced their fate
One church was tried
Through a lengthy suppression
Another cast out by lightning
Fire first
Then the trial Both buildings OK yesterday
And for over 150 years
Why not today
Gone overnight
GONE
Sifting through the ashes
Finds the remains
Of an intact Community
Fireproofed by Love Royce Johnston
Please remind the congregation for me that they are in my prayers and
that I’ll never forget all the trips to Pilgrim Hills, all the Boy Scout
meetings, car washes, bake sales, watermelon sales, Saturdays with
Saturday Fun, and the many lives that have passed through youth
fellowship over the many years, and do not forget my favorite the
Saturday night square dancing at Pilgrim Hills. We were family, and the
love we shared for each other, is the love that will guide EACC through
any obstacle it faces. Every room at EACC held memories.
Cherish those memories and you will grow stronger.
Love, Kenneth Crawford, San Diego, California
A MESSAGE FROM AL PARKS
Good Evening, Church family - Several short weeks ago on a Thursday I
received yet another in a series of what to me at the time were an
endless number of emotional phone calls . I must admit It wasn’t as
alarming and unsettling as the one I had received at 0238 in the
morning a couple of days earlier that week. But, it was also related
to the well being of our church building. Brother Dean was calling
about the urgent need to address the moving of the beloved “rock” that
had adorned our building for years. I was told that “the rock” was now
sitting in the parking lot on the grounds of our sister church. “The
rock” would have to be moved!
The thought of this action brought back 'tons' of memories. Memories
that I had been part of or told about and I am sure that if “the rock”
had eyes would have been witness to: all the uplifting moments of joy
as it witnessed the celebrations of weddings, confirmation, baptisms;
the love, caring and sharing of each person that was either a member
or visitor that had come to experience the beauty and sanctity of the
beautiful sanctuary. And how all were blessed by the music of
keystrokes played on the majestic organ, the voices of our very
talented choirs, and the many sermons that had been preached that
reached out and touched and motivated many of us spiritually. It
would recall the many fun and enriching outings of the Saturday Fun
Ministry that blessed our children in numerous ways; the day care
center that once filled the building and the nurturing experiences the
children had gained from it. Yes, and then there was AA and CA,
Restore Cleveland Hope, KEMPO and all the other civic and religious
groups and meetings held there that became part of our culture and
history.
We may all want the sunshine but there must also be rain. So that, oh,
yes, “the rock” had also witnessed and could tell us of some of the
sad times that it had seen, what we felt were the untimely departures
of loved ones and the sorrow and anguish that went with it. But
through it all “the rock” was still there.
We cannot let the pain of our loss rob us of the joy of all our loving
and emotional experiences. We recently celebrated Palm Sunday which
is the day we traditionally remember the Lord's triumphal entry into
Jerusalem--the Sunday before His passion and resurrection. That in
itself should give us the hope and knowledge that we can and will
continue to survive, to serve the community and to be a beacon of Hope
and Caring and Faith. Because we know that “the rock” on which the
church is built is Jesus Christ. And we have HIS assurance that HE
will never leave nor forsake us!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
What’s done, is done
By Kim St. John-Stevenson
I am by no means a Shakespeare scholar, but I did work for a few years
at a Shakespeare theater and a couple of things rubbed off on me,
including the quote, from Macbeth Act 3, scene 2, 8–12, where Lady
Macbeth utters “What’s done, is done.”
That quote came to mind recently when my five-year old asked me for
the millionth time why we can’t just “fix the church.” “I know it
burned down, Mommy, but can’t we just fix it?” “Why not,” she wonders,
not understanding the finality of the fire. “What’s done, is done
sweetheart”…the lightning struck, the fire started, the building
burned…and now we must move forward. Begin a new journey. Write a new
chapter. And most importantly – do all of that together, as a family.
And speaking of family…what is the definition of a “family?” Dictionary.com (no slight to Webster but I didn’t have a dictionary at
my disposal) defines family as “two or more people who share goals and
values and have long-term commitments to one another.” But what does
it mean to you? Does it mean a blood relative? Someone who lives in
the same house? Someone who’s “got your back?” Someone who loves you
unconditionally?
Well, to me, family can be all of the above and more. It doesn’t have
to be - just can be. So sometimes, family may include folks who aren’t
part of your bloodline, but who nonetheless mean so much to you that
you would “have their back.”
To me, that broader definition is how I would describe the incredible
“family” of faithful members of Euclid Avenue Congregational Church.
The family that came together starting in the wee hours of March 23
and many times since to reminisce, cry, laugh, shout, complain, vent,
and oh yes – and plan for the future.
No one could have predicted the bolt of lightning that would alter our
family life forever. No one could have predicted that a lightning
strike would start a fire that would destroy our beloved church home.
But one thing totally predictable was the way the EACC family came
together after the fire.
I am a newer member of EACC, but my newness matters not in this family
schema. In meetings, I might be sitting next to a member who’s been
with the church for 70 years, but her longevity matters no more than
mine. What matters is that this family has always been a welcoming
group of people committed to serving God through the church’s mission.
Mere hours after the fire, even as the smell of smoke still permeated
the air, our family came together in borrowed space. And within days,
a new worship space (well, new to us) had been identified. And now, a
mere month after the fire, the family seems to be settling into new
spaces and continuing on.
Sure, there are issues. What family doesn’t have issues?! What family
doesn’t fight, argue, scream, say mean things, get mad and walk away
from discussions? We had some of these issues BEFORE the fire – so
why would things change just because we are in different spaces?! But
what I hope and pray is that we look at this time as an opportunity to
perhaps change some things and truly move into a new spiritual space
that is unencumbered with baggage from the past. My hopes for our EACC family? That we can;
- Communicate with one another. Not about one another, with one another.
- Be still and let God do his work in our midst.
- Be prayerful about our future as a church family.
- Be patient – take things one day at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day
and the “new” EACC won’t be either.
- Be open to the possibilities. No one has the perfect solution to our
current challenges, so let’s take the time to look at all of the
possibilities.
- Listen. Just because you didn’t say it doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea.
- Remember why we are a family. We are a family bonded by a shared
desire to do God’s work. Not my work, not your work. God’s work. Let
us never forget that.
So, the moral of this story is “What’s done, is done.” Let’s now work
together to write a new chapter and verse for the EACC family.
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“My heart is with you. I have such a respect for EACC history, and the
spirit of its people. Better and hopeful days are ahead. In my prayers
I’ll be there.””
-Rev. Paul Davis (former EACC interim pastor) “Allow me
to extend my sincere sympathies for the tragic loss of your wonderful
church. The Board and Staff of Western Reserve Historical Society join
you and your congregation in grieving over the loss of this Cleveland
treasure. We wish you all best wishes and strength to move forward.”
- Shari Kochman, WRHS “I just read about EACC on the UCC
newsletter. I am heartbroken! Please know we will be lifting prayers for
you all here in CT. And please let us know what else we might do.
Sending much love and many, many hugs.
-Adele Crawford (an EACC Chancel Choir alum, a soprano who
has sung at the Met as well as opera houses in Europe. She is now an
ordained pastor at a UCC church in Connecticut.) “Why can’t we just
fix it?”
- Sydney Stevenson (5 years old) “The interreligious
community has come together to make a larger impact on such issues as
homelessness and hunger. Today, I ask that the community also comes
together to help one of our own who has been recently hit with tragedy.
Our thoughts, prayers, energy, and love go out to the members of the
Euclid Avenue Congregational Church.”
- InterAct Cleveland
“THE PHOENIX BEFORE THE FLAMES
LORD CHRISTUS, Our Rock
Who Was and Is and Will Be:
My Church is Your Cross.”
-Wills Morgan (former EACC member, sent from London)
“You all have done so much for our school family, offering valuable
time, money, gifts, and various donations of food and clothing that we
just want to extend our hands of support to you and your church family
at this difficult time. We ask that you keep in touch with us and let us
know what we can do to help. Please find comfort in knowing that our
thoughts and prayers are with all of you, wishing you peace and
strength.”
-Ms. Sommer L. Edwards, Principal
The Early Childhood Development Center “It feels like the death of a
person after spending so many years in that magnificent building. I am
glad that no one was hurt, and now you at EACC get to test how you are
the Church … not the building being the Church!”
-Rev. Randy Hyvonen (former EACC pastor) “My phones--
home, work and cell-- rang continuously all day yesterday, with offers
for prayers, space, resources, and support. Well over a dozen different
offers for space for the church to worship were passed on to the
congregation as they planned their immediate future.”
- Curt Ackley, Minister and
Executive, Western Reserve Association I am so shocked and saddened by
this horrific news. I have many fond memories of being in that sacred
space and listening to the music from the beautiful organ. I will put
your congregation on our prayer list at Bethlehem. God grant the people
strength and grace in their hour of need. As Christ rose from the dead,
so shall Euclid Avenue Congregational rise from the ashes. Amen.
- Beth Lucas (Director of Music at Bethlehem Lutheran
Church) “I am totally horrified by this news. Words cannot express how
saddened I am. As you know, EACC was my first church and contributed
greatly to my success as a person and as a musician. I still have many
friends there. What a loss for that wonderful congregation and the
community. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do. EACC
is a resilient community of people and will come through this, but it is
not fair.
-Bryan Mitnaul (Tim’s predecessor as Director of Music at
EACC, now Director of Music at an Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach,
VA.) “I was walking to a meeting on the Cleveland Clinic sky-way early
yesterday morning, and couldn’t believe my eyes. What a loss of such an
historic and magnificent church. My thoughts and prayers are with you
and the congregation.
- Dr. Tom Keys (a physician at the Cleveland Clinic.)
“My whole family sends their condolences on the devastating loss of the
beloved Euclid Avenue Congregational Church. Although I never had the
opportunity to visit the church, it has had a special significance to my
family. My great grandfather, the Reverend Caspar W. Hiatt, was pastor
there in the early 1900’s. My father, CW Hiatt III, now 90 years old,
was only 6 years old when his grandfather died, but remembers his
grandfather’s passion for oratory. I was looking forward to visiting the
beautiful church and learning more about my great grandfather through
the church archives. If you have any interior photos that you are
willing to share, I would love to see them.
I am very sorry for your personal loss associated with the fire. I wish
church members faith and patience as you face the future embodiment of
the church.”
- Eve Hiatt, Louisville, KY “Tears… for the congregation
of the historic Euclid Avenue Congregational Church, destroyed by fire
on Tuesday. Said one member, “We have lost a physical space, but we
haven’t lost what keeps us together as a family.” There couldn’t be a
better way to look at the situation.
- The Plain Dealer
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