Pastor’s Corner  2011     

                                               The Rev. Dr. Krisana Poontajak        

        The Tuesday night before Ash Wednesday was a tragic night for the Clouse family in Loysville and all in the community throughout the nation.  Seven kids died in the fire in their home while a 3 years old girl survived because she ran out to her mom in the barn.  Her dad was delivering milk.

        We will never find the answers for this incident.  And if we keep asking “Why?” we will only be thrown into a despair and anger corner.  Instead we are to ask “How?”  How can we respond to this heartbroken tragedy?

        I went to a prayer service held at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Elliottsburg last night.  The service was led by different denomination pastors and finished by candle lights to witness the light of Christ that overcame darkness.  I answered a question of a Patriot News reporter before the service that we from near and far in Perry County were together in prayers because we believed in power of prayer and that we cared and grieved with the Clouse Family.  The Family’s loss and pain were also ours.  We were there for each other even though some including me did not know the family.

       I did not know what to expect at the funeral concerning parking and a big crowd at the service.  My heart told me that I must go!  I wanted to be there for the family and the people.  When I arrived the Mennonite Reception Center in Greenpark, I saw more how the community pulled together to share genuine love to the Clouse Family.  Local police, state troopers, EMS volunteers, firefighters, were there directing traffic and parking.  They watched the people who came to the funeral closely concerning protesting threat.  I had no problem parking.  I had no problem walking by troopers into the building.  I did not know if it was because I was in my clergy outfit or what. 

       The visiting line and seating were well organized.  The power point displayed the playful and happy 7 kids in their short lives on the wall.  Walking passed 7 small white caskets was a very hard moment for me.  The kids were from ages 9 months to 11 years old: one boy and 6 girls.  The mom was a small young woman pregnant and the dad held the 3 years old girl who survived the fire.  The grandparents and cousins were in greeting line with the parents.  “I am Pastor Kris from Duncannon.  Peace of Christ be with you” was all I could say.  Tears after tears ached on faces.  Mennonites, Amish, neighbors, and friends from everywhere perhaps thousands of people were there. 

       I found that my attending the service was a comfort mostly to myself.  My heart has been aching with the family and I was also there for those standing and sitting around me.  The place was pack and there were not enough seats.  The pastors led the worship honoring God with a beautiful service and powerful messages of comfort and truth of God.  The congregation sang “It is Well with My Soul and How Great Thou Art.”  I was thankful and impressed that there was a children’s Time for many children to go

up front and a pastor talked to them about remembering the 7 kids, how God loved children, and how to grow.

       The service lasted a little over an hour.  Three hearses were waiting outside for the 7 caskets.  West Perry School buses were there to take the people to the cemetery of the Church of the Living Christ in Loysville.  Mennonite men were cooking in the kitchen at the center waiting for the crowd to be back from the graveside service.  I did not go to the cemetery.  I cannot imagine how hard it would be for the parents, grandparents, and everyone to see the 7 caskets on the graves. 

       My head and body ached the whole time during the service and when I drove back to Duncannon.  I must be very tense.  I did not know what to think and my brain was numbed.  My tears rolled when I sang those two hymns and when a children’s song was playing while children went up to the front for a children’s sermon.  Painful tears on faces and especially of Mennonite and Amish men saddened my heart. 

       I pray for God’s strength to uphold the mom and dad and the family to go through the difficulties together with God’s love and strengths.  I pray that the community from near and far will continue to reach out to them in weeks, months and years ahead.

       A prayer below is a growth from Ephesians 5: 20: Give thanks to God the Father  at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome!
I welcome everything that comes to me in this moment, because
I know that ultimately it is for my healing.

I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions,
situations, conditions, & persons.

I "let go" of my desire for security,
I "let go" of my desire for approval,
I "let go" of my desire for control.

I "let go" of my desire to change any situation,
condition, person or myself.

I open myself up to the love and presence of God
and the healing action and grace within.  Amen."

       I am confident if you can open yourself up to God as God’s child even the uncertainty of the times will draw you closer to Our Loving God.  With God's Grace we exist!  Love and prayers to you all!         

       March 15, 2011

“God Is Good!  Life Is Precious!”                                             Sign    Pastor Kris