Sally Buchanan

Well, you should be relieved that the Y2K problem won't affect the publication of the SCORE (it's done on a Macintosh!), and it probably won't affect many of the other functions of St. Nicholas' (one of the benefits of not being heavily dependent on computers!).

We should, however, examine, our spiritual approach to the coming of Y2K. I become concerned when I read about Jerry Falwell and other Christian leaders who talk about the gloom and doom that is coming, and how they are going to "stock up" on supplies so that they will be ready for the economic upheaval that they predict will likely ensue. This philosophy concerns me. I know that God expects us to do our best to take care of ourselves, but aren't we, to some extent, supposed to rely on him? What about the manna in the dessert? What about Jesus' promise that if God takes care of the birds and the flowers, he will take care of us also? It seems to me that if people are selfishly hoarding away supplies for themselves, "just in case", then they're not worrying about anyone else.

I would just feel a little better about preparations for possible disaster if they were made with a community approach in mind. Are we going to fall into a "survival of the fittest" mode, or are we going to help our neighbors if need be? Perhaps this would be a good area for us to examine as a congregation, in order to help individuals and families prepare, and also to make sure we fulfill our role as God's servant-church in the community.