Two First Churches Together

Early in the morning on October 6th, 2006, the pastor of FUMC of Memphis was awakened by a haunting telephone call. The voice on the other end informed her that First United Methodist Church of Memphis was on fire. Since then Martha Wagley has demonstrated inspiring leadership to her saddened congregation as they meet in a chapel at St. Judes Research Hospital.

Yesterday First Baptist Church of Memphis was pleased to have the congregation of FUMC join us for worship, lunch, and a River City Band concert. The proceeds of the concert went to the building fund so that the once lovely, historic worship space could be built once again.

Ray Hatton, our minister to music, planned the event and it was a great success. This was actually the second time the two congregations had joined together. The first time was in the 1800's and it was First Methodist who opened up their doors to a bunch of disorganized Baptists.

But the highlight of the morning was when Carol McCall-Richardson, associate pastor of FBC and Martha Wagley, pastor of FUMC stood together at the pulpit to discuss their friendship with one another as two ordained women. What a testament to what great things can happen in church life when individuals open their heart and their minds to what is good and right.

Most of all, I was surprised about how moved I became when Martha Wagley described the feeling of getting that phone call on October 6th. There I sat with the other ministers in our cozy sanctuary knowing that these good people at FUMC would have to return to their temporary home at St. Jude. I sat there and tried to feel what they felt as many drove downtown to watch their church burn to the ground. What sadness I felt at that moment and this does not compare to the heartbreak that they felt that morning before sunrise.

I don't think that I ever truly attached a sense of empathy to the situation last October. I watched it on the news. I was burdened but did not know them. I watched and hated to see that beautiful building burn. But I had never pondered it all sitting in our sanctuary at FBC. How terrible it would have been to see it go up in flames.

FUMC, we pray for you daily. We pray for progress that will exceed all expectations. We pray for the architects, builders, planners, and committees that will meet and perform their duties. We pray for future growth and new Christians to be a part of the congregation one day. We pray for Martha Wagley as she presses forward with God has commissioned her to do.