One Body

These have been strange days. There has been a mixture of emotions as we have watched the events around Hurricane Harvey unfold. On the one hand hoping and praying that Harvey kept his distance from us, and on the other hand having our hearts break as we watch others go through what we went through just a year ago.

In the Church we often talk about being of “one body.” It is a term that connects us to others in ways that we cannot always explain. In Romans 12, from the readings for next week, Paul writes, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.” We are one body. What affects one of us, affects all of us. We connect with those people affected by Harvey in a unique and genuine way. In our case, it is empathy that we feel, not merely sympathy.

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An aerial view from a Missouri National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter shows the effects of flooding in Valley Park, Mo., Dec. 30, 2015. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, Army Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the state's National Guard, and members of an emergency management team flew in the helicopter to view the devastation. Missouri Army National Guard photo by Cpl. Alex Flynn

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There will be much to do in the days, weeks, and even years to come. We are already working through channels in the affected Episcopal dioceses and SAES, the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools, to see how we as a school can help right now. 

If you are looking for ways to help those in need, click here for a message from the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and Bishop Morris K. Thompson, Jr. Right now for most of us, donations seem to be the most effective way to help. Please find an organization that you know and trust to help those in need. There will certainly be efforts and opportunities through Episcopal in the future. 

Please join us in prayer as we ask for God’s blessings, healing, and peace in the time ahead for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
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Help Those in Need

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The Rev. Kirkland "Skully"Knight

The Rev. Kirkland “Skully” Knight has served in Episcopal schools for 24 years. The first ten were spent as a teacher and coach with the last thirteen as a teacher and chaplain. Skully has been at the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge since 2011 and serves as the Senior Chaplain and Associate Head of School for Service Learning. Skully earned his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and his M. Div. from The University of the South at Sewanee. He has been married to his wife, Mary Sue, for 23 years and they have two daughters, Emily who is a senior and Katie who is in 9th grade.