“We’re grateful to be alive.”
Andrew McHenry, the former pastor of Emporia’s First Congregational Church, his family and the residents of Paradise, Calif., all shared that sentiment after the brutal Camp fire obliterated the city of 27,000 people last week.
McHenry now leads Craig Memorial Congregational Church, which was among the buildings destroyed. The McHenry family lost almost everything — including their home and one car. A pastor in Chico opened his doors to the McHenry family, and that is where the family has been staying short-term.
The congregation, in place since the 1870s, lost its church building.
The town was evacuated Thursday, and McHenry admits one decision made the evacuation process a lot more challenging than it could have been.
So far, the Camp fire has charred over 125,000 acres, killing more than 40 people with more than 200 people currently unaccounted for. Plans for rebuilding are coming later, but McHenry says the congregation that remains is preparing to re-root itself in the area.
Locally, members of First Congregational Church of Emporia, where McHenry served as pastor from 2008-2017, have begun collecting donations of Wal-Mart gift cards to send to congregation members in Paradise. Current pastor of First Congregational Church of Emporia, Howard Cassidy-Moffat, says the effort shows that through God we are all connected regardless of where we may be located.
Cassidy-Moffat says he plans to speak with Wal-Mart managers in the coming days to see what else can be done to aid those in California. He adds other donations will be needed in the coming weeks, however, for now the gift cards are the best form of assistance. Those wishing to contribute may bring or send gift cards to First Congregational Church of Emporia located at the corner of W. 12th Ave and State Street.
Besides the effort by First Congregational Church, Ellen Plumb’s City Bookstore is also collecting supplies for both the McHenry family and the church congregation.
Direct donations to the church can be made by mailing Craig Memorial Congregational Church, 5665 Scottwood Rd., Paradise, CA 95969.
Click here for the full interview with former Emporia pastor Andrew McHenry.
Photos from Action News Now, California Highway Patrol and Butte County Sheriff’s Office
{gallery}California Camp Fire Various Nov 13 2018{/gallery}
