Making a memory

March 2, 2012 a devastating 120 mph tornado demolished the small town of West Liberty, Kentucky. News reports and pictures of the aftermath looked like a war zone. A small, close-knit community was torn apart in a matter of minutes.
My hometown, Frankfort, Kentucky is a couple of hours away from West Liberty.
My family moved to Frankfort in 1961 when my father was appointed to be the pastor of First United Methodist Church. He served there for 10 years and now, at age 90, is still on staff as their Minister of Residence. This is the church where I was confirmed. This is the church where we held my mother's funeral and Daddy's 90th birthday party. With a treasure-trove of precious memories, I always look forward to worshipping there. It's like a family reunion.
Today was so much more.
Just before the worship service, I got to see one of my favorite young adults there. She was getting a trailer unloaded and there were stories swirling everywhere.
Amy Nance is a vivacious, passionate young woman who has been galvanizing mission involvement in the church as long as I have known her. Amy has a heart to make a difference -- especially for disadvantaged young people. So I was not surprised when she told me about getting Frankfort First to sponsor a new outreach called "Cinderella's Closet". Cinderella's Closet provides prom dresses and accessories and encouragement to young girls who would otherwise not be able to go to their prom. First UMC Frankfort has taken on the outreach with donations and volunteers--making memories for three years now.
When Amy learned about the tornado in West Liberty, her heart and her vision got bigger. Even though Cinderella's Closet had become quite a big undertaking in Frankfort, Amy decided to take it on the road -- to take Cinderella's Closet to tornado-devasted West Liberty. Yesterday, Amy--with vehicles loaded with volunteers and trailers of donated dresses, accessories and sewing machines took hope to the girls of Morgan County High School. The volunteers from my home church went to West Liberty prepared to outfit as many as 200 girls for their prom.
Girls came with their families and boyfriends. Many of them had lost everything in the tornado. Some girls still had visible physical injuries. All of them had stories. And every one of them got outfitted for their prom. No girl was turned away. Girls who didn't find a dress to fit were measured and will have a just-right dress delivered to them next week. First United Methodist Church Frankfort delivered more than dresses yesterday. They brought Christ's love, hope, concern and personal support to girls whose lives had been torn apart. They made a memory that will last a lifetime. I have never been more proud.
Today was more than a wonderful Palm Sunday worship service. Today, I saw a living example of the church at its best.