United Methodists Pour Out Support for Burned Maui Church

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UPDATE Aug. 14, 2023: As expected, Lahaina United Methodist Church was completely destroyed by the wildfire that swept through the historic town on the island of Maui, according to a photo posted on the church's Facebook page Aug. 12 (see above).

Pastor John Crewe expressed the church community's hopes for the future in a post accompanying the photo:

"When Lahaina town rebuilds we will not emphasize short-term financial goals over people, the environment, and the culture of the people of Maui.

"We will envision a Lahaina with vibrant communities, infrastructure that respects our ecosystem, and a culture that respects and honors the historical roots of Maui and all the Hawaiian people. We must not forget this horrible tragedy and let the same thing happen again! When we rebuild, we must fight to make the people and our environment the priority.

"Jesus told his disciples as he was empowering them to carry on his work, 'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.' John 16:34-35." 

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United Methodists across the United States poured out their prayers and spiritual support Aug. 11 for the pastor and members of Lahaina United Methodist Church, believed to be destroyed by the devastating wildfire that swept through the historic Hawaiian community.

As with the rest of Lahaina, the status of the United Methodist church there was uncertain on Aug. 11 until emergency crews could get to the burned-out town, but hopes dimmed that the white wooden structure had survived the conflagration. Early photos and aerial video showed that the Front Street region of Lahaina had been leveled by a wildfire fueled by high winds and drought.

The high wind came from Hurricane Dora about 700 miles to the south, while the drought has been intensified by the global climate crisis, according to scientists. The Weather Channel reported that the island of Maui stood at a convergence between a high-pressure system to its north producing sharp "downslope" winds over the mountains and the hurricane's effects which along with a drought exacerbated the wildfire.

Lahaina UMC pastor John Crewe and his family were reported safe after being evacuated, according to Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, leader of the California-Pacific Annual Conference of which Lahaina UMC is a part. The bishop was in Hawai'i on the day before the wildfire swept across Maui and wrote on the conference website:

"Yesterday the wind was high as I took off from Honolulu to the West Coast. We were aware of the presence of Hurricane Dora, as the wind had been high for the last part of our trip. This morning I woke up to hear about the fires on Maui and Hawaiʻi island moving quickly because of the winds, and then the evacuation of the areas around Lahaina.

"Communication has been sparse because cell phone coverage was out. It appears that the Lahaina United Methodist Church building has also been destroyed."

Crewe wrote on the church's Facebook page Aug. 10:

"As the shock begins to wear off, we will now endure the waves of grief. I really don’t have the words to express the grief that I am feeling now. With the grief, however, I detect a lifeline of hope. I know that my church has never been just the building; the building was cared for lovingly by you, my beloved church ohana. You are the church, and I am honored to be your pastor. My focus now is ministering to you, wherever you have been scattered, holding on to Jesus’s words in John 16:33, ”In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Lahaina UMC's Facebook page was filled with comments such as this one from Wanda Haroski Hooten: "Worshiped there when Lary Hooten’s aunt Luella 'Ding' Surguine was a member. Attended her memorial service there too. Such a loving church family. My heart breaks for the Lahaina United Methodist Church ohana. Prayers for healing and peace." ("Ohana" is the Hawai'ian concept of "extended family").

Many comments on Lahaina UMC's Facebook page came from mainland visitors who had worshiped at the historic church. United Methodists from as far away as Austin, Texas, St. Louis, Mo., and Indianapolis, Ind., expressed their grief at the loss. From San Diego, Calif., the co-pastors of Linda Vista UMC, Mary Dang of the Vietnamese congregation and Jeri Newell-Davis of the English congregation, sent prayers and support.

Among other Facebook comments:

Roberta Yoshioka: The Kono, Thiel and Yoshioka families grieve with you after witnessing the news and the knowing of the loss of the Church and parsonage that was once home to members of our family.

Daniel R. Gangler: I worshiped with you all in the summer of 1989. I will long remember the experience. The prayers of United Methodists in Indianapolis are with you as you rebuild your once beautiful city.

Justin King: Prayers from Nebraska - we are thinking of you. We attended a wonderful Christmas Eve service there. 

Katie Klosterman: From Browns Point UMC in Tacoma WA, we send love, strength and solidarity.

Cheryl Hicks Powell: Prayers from Arkansas for your congregation. We loved visiting your church when in Lahaina. I mourn the loss, too, of your lovely stained-glass windows.

Mindy Baker Meyn: Sending love and prayers from Anchorage, Alaska

Cindy Gail Roberts: Prayers from Northern Washington State. Have visited your community. Be of good courage faithful servants. God is still with you.

Trish Campbell: So incredibly sadden by this news. We have only seen it once in person but watch the service every week from Phoenix. Pastor John baptized my husband last October and we've been so excited to be bringing our son with us this December. He loves history and he was so looking forward to seeing the church.

Jesse Kuntz: Sending love from Whitefish UMC in Montana.

Karen Schafroth: Praying for all of Lahaina. Hope the church and all members are safe. Karen at Kirkwood and Manchester United Methodist Churches, St Louis , Missouri.

The California-Pacific Conference posted an update on Aug. 11 that included links for giving and the following caution:

"The first responders in Hawaiʻi have asked us not to send goods or people at this time as they work out what their specific needs will be over time. Our Disaster Response Task Force has mobilized and is working at assisting as plans develop. We will let you know more as the recovery plan is implemented."

The United Methodist Committee on Relief reported that it is coordinating with the California-Pacific Conference on relief and recovery efforts. Online donations may be given via UMCOR's U.S. Disaster Response account.