Recently, Dr. Anna O’Malley wrote eloquently in the Point Reyes Light of “gifts wrapped up in the inconvenience of power outages,” when circumstances beyond our control give us pause and challenge us to reflect on what truly matters. This inconvenience invites simpler living disengaged from electronics, calls us to heed the healing rhythms of the natural world and provides the opportunity to experience the kindness of strangers, who, in the midst of disaster, come together to help one another, forging community that far outlasts failures of the power grid.
Such gifts were on clear display at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church and Retreat House in Inverness during the recent outage and evacuation of neighboring towns, whose residents were forced to flee the ravaging Kincade fire. It began with a single knock on the church door. Frightened and unsure of where else to go, evacuees sought refuge at St. Columba’s, whose generator provided a beacon of light in the surrounding darkness. Another knock came, followed by many more.
Father Vincent Pizzuto opened wide the church doors and welcomed all who sought light, shelter and safety. Over the following hours and days, strangers in need were given retreat house beds without charge. Church congregants brought in food and supplies and cooked warm meals. Nerves were calmed by the comforting rhythm of giving and receiving. The lights and internet, too, were a comfort—until the 40-year-old generator wore out. Soon, cell towers began to fail and worry about what was happening with the fire and loved ones became unsettling.
Father Vincent, with help from musicians staying at the retreat house, arranged evening prayer and Taize chant for the evacuees and congregants. The candlelight that illuminated the church and the comforting sound of collective voices raised in song and prayer rendered the church’s darkness a thing of shared beauty rather than a cause for fear. Prayers were offered for all who suffered from the fire and power outage. Prayers of gratitude, too, were intoned for the first responders, evacuation site volunteers, families, neighbors and all who had sacrificed in service of others. Father Vincent blessed each evacuee with holy water and ended with the prayerful assurance of a 14th-century mystic, Julian of Norwich: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” Having been fed, body and spirit, guests retreated to the welcomed darkness of sleep.
The next morning, a local electrician and several firemen from the Inverness Volunteer Fire Department labored mightily for eight hours to resurrect the generator. Although they were unable to fix it, the firefighters enlivened everyone with their generosity and expertise.
After three nights, officials permitted evacuees to return to their homes. As evacuees left St. Columba’s, they expressed deep gratitude for the healing refuge provided by the church community. Meeting as strangers, hosts and guests parted as community—bonded not only by shared adversity, but by a revived faith in the better angels of our nature.
Father Vincent shared this story during his sermon the following Sunday, revealing how the evacuees, the saints and the church members had enriched his life and affirmed his faith. He reflected on how the scarcity of power had led not to competitiveness but to collaboration; how folks had not isolated in fear, but had joined together in care; how outer darkness had brought out an inner light illumined by kindness, empathy and love; how in our ordinary, electrified lives we often miss what blossoms when adversity slows time and gifts our norms of behavior with grace.
St. Columba’s does not have the funds to purchase a new generator; providing food and shelter streches them beyond their resources. With the goal of being a Red Cross shelter, Father Vincent has made it a priority to ensure supplies are fully stocked and the church’s congregants are prepared and well-organized, so that St. Columba’s retreat house stands ready to again serve neighbors in need. But they need help.
The bids for a new generator average $35,000—far too high for St. Columba’s current budget. Here is an opportunity for the West Marin community to give back to the church. In addition to the Kincade fire, the more recent fire at the Olema House hotel and the brush fire north of Muir Beach show all too clearly that any one of us could become a neighbor in need.
In addition to donations, St. Columba’s is seeking assistance in identifying and securing funding resources, such as grants. If you wish to contribute to this important community resource—whether $5 or $5,000—please consider a tax-deductible donation to the St. Columba’s emergency relief fund. Donations can be made by mailing a check made out to St. Columba’s Episcopal Church and Retreat House to P.O. Box 430, Inverness, CA, 94937. Please include “emergency and generator fund” in the memo section. If you wish to make an electronic donation, email church treasurer Anna Haight at [email protected]. Call me at (510) 531.7342 or Anna at (415) 669.1039 with any donation questions.
Linda Williams is a retired health care professional living in Oakland.