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2008-05-06 issue:

Church, town coming back one year later

Most of Greensburg, Kan., was destroyed by a tornado on May 4, 2007; 12 died.

by Laurie Oswald Robinson

Print Article

Jeffrey Blackburn, pastor of Greensburg (Kan.) Mennonite Church, searches for words big enough to convey the gratitude for Mennonite Church USA’s support after a May 4 tornado last year that destroyed their church building. As he struggled to find language to reflect this past year’s experiences during an April 2 interview, Blackburn looked out the study window of his newly built home in Greensburg. He seemed to riffle through a thousand emotions as he looked at twisted trees and empty lots.














Jeffrey Blackburn, pastor of the Greensburg (Kan.) Mennonite Church that was destroyed by a tornado one year ago. Photo provided.

What words are big enough to tell how it felt to have strangers help stunned homeowners pick through shreds for any last thread of family photos and favorite things?

What words are big enough to tell how it felt to receive letters, emails and phone calls from Mennonites and others across Kansas, the United States and around the world, offering prayers and emotional support?

What words are big enough to tell how it felt to receive monetary gifts totaling about $100,000 and countless volunteer hours from Mennonite Church USA constituents since the tornado ravaged 90 percent of the town (population 1,500) and killed 12 residents?

“I simply say ‘thank you,’ knowing those are small words for something so big,” Blackburn said. “But that’s what we have in our English language to convey our gratitude. We realized we have a support network that we didn’t dream existed. I’m not the first to say it, but in all of this, you learn to hold things loosely and hold people close. When things are all gone, you cope with the tragedy by having those relationships.”

This network is what sustains Greensburg Mennonite members as they struggle with the rest of the town to rebuild streets, homes and churches and to rebound in persevering faith. Greensburg Mennonite is rebuilding its church on its original foundation. Construction began in March and should be complete by October.

The church plans to use the Mennonite Church USA monetary gifts received from numerous members and congregations for the expected $300,000 shortfall that will exist after the excellent insurance covers main costs, expected at about $1.25 million. The church is adding new handicapped accessible features that were not part of the original building and not covered by the insurance package.

“We had tons of volunteer help in initial cleanup from Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) and from Mennonites from South Central and Western District conferences and beyond,” Blackburn said. “And now we’ve hired a contractor to rebuild. MDS is rebuilding with those who didn’t have insurance coverage or other resources.”

When it comes to resources, Greensburg Mennonite counts itself rich. The independent, pioneering spirit, so much a part of rural Kansas mentality and Mennonite ethos—coupled with the work of God’s Spirit—is helping the community recover. The original church was built in 1978 and post-tornado has 65 to 70 members. About 30 percent of the church body relocated and now live too far way to attend. Many of those who remain are not only rebuilding the church but also their homes.

Consider Paul Unruh, a farmer, and his wife, Shirley. They are rebuilding their home and farm seven miles south of Greensburg. Theirs was one of the first properties in the church family to be hit by the 1.7-mile-wide tornado that pummeled western Kansas for nearly two hours.
In some ways, rebuilding structures is the easier part of their recovery, Unruh said. The harder part has been reprogramming oneself to be a gracious receiver.

“One thing we don’t talk about much at church is how to be good recipients,” Unruh said. “In the early days of cleanup, I had to apologize a lot for being a lousy receiver. I’ve canned a lot of meat for others through Mennonite Central Committee. But never in my wildest dreams did I think that Shirley and I would be eating MCC turkey ourselves.”

Blackburn agreed that being gracious receivers has challenged the entire church family. No members lost their lives, but about 60 percent of the congregation lost their homes.—Laurie Oswald Robinson for Mennonite Church USA

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