Tragedy spurs numerous prayers and expressions of faith
Several ministers are on hand to assist residents
The tragedy of the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse, which was exacerbated when three rescue workers were killed in a secondary collapse on Thursday, has been met with a stalwart hopefulness and with expressions of religious faith.
In nearly every store window and on several front lawns, ranging from Price to outlying towns such as Cleveland, signs read "Pray for our 6" and "God bless our miners."
Residents have also held numerous prayer vigils, and special church services have been held across the state.
"I feel that usually in times of tragedy, people are usually going to curse God or rely upon God," said Salvation Army minister Claranne Meitrott, who arrived in Huntington from her home in New York City on Sunday.
Meitrott arrived as part of a trio of Salvation Army professionals. Her group, which includes unpaid volunteers, has been feeding the scores of reporters, law enforcement officers and grief-stricken families here since the mine collapse. The Salvation Army has worked with the Red Cross and with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer organization to provide hot meals and cold drinks to everyone involved.
Often, when tragedy strikes, the barriers separating religion and the state crumble, said Lynn Follet, who arrived from Connecticut as part of the Salvation Army team.
"Even people who say they're atheists, they believe in something," the grief counselor said. "I just think it's how God put us together."
In times of trial, Follet said, people are often unable to rely on themselves, so they turn to higher powers for help.
In coming days and months, the trial this town has gone through for the past two weeks will likely become a process of mourning.
People can expect to feel denial and isolation, anger, bargaining and depression before they reach acceptance. They need to take all the time they need to cope with the loss, Meitrott said.
"People will need permission to be angry at God." Meitrott said. "God is a big God. He knows what you're feeling, and that's how he made you."
But many people will also turn to God for solace, Meitrott said. There's just something there that people want to hold onto, added MaryBeth Ryan, Meitrott's colleague from Boston.
"As long as there's breath, there's hope," she said.
E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com
Recent comments
Great article! The Salvation army personnel from back East have been...
Major laura Sullivan | Aug. 23, 2007 at 9:48 a.m.
