Aaron Barna/For The Olympian
Dianna Ullery gathers with children at Lacey Community Church Sunday to talk about Wednesday's earthquake. Roth used a toy front-end loader to talk about the spiritual aspects of Wednesday's earthquake.

'God is our refuge and strength'

Many find stability at post-quake services

RUTH LONGORIA, THE OLYMPIAN

LACEY -- The earthquake that shook South Sound on Wednesday will be remembered by many as the Ash Wednesday Quake.

The magnitude 6.8 quake hit on a day when many Christians were already pausing to reflect on the grace of God.

Sunday services were a chance for many to look back on the events of the week and give thanks.

At a Sunday morning service at Lacey Community Church, Dianna Ullery shared an object lesson to relieve tension and reinforce God's controlling power.

"We had quite a week, didn't we?'' Ullery asked a group of about 20 children sitting in a circle on the floor at the front of the church.

As the children raised their hands to share earthquake stories, Ullery captured their attention by holding up a yellow metal toy replica of a front-end loader, a construction vehicle used to move dirt.

"I know you have some terrific earthquake stories that you shared in Sunday school, but right now I want to talk to you about earth moving," Ullery said.

She used the visual aid to share biblical perspectives about God as a power in charge of events we cannot control.

But those weren't the first thoughts of Grace Bradford, 8, and Ullery's son, Mark, 11, when the ground started moving Wednesday.

"I got freaked out," Grace said.

"I believe in God, but I was scared -- I was too busy screaming to pray," Mark said.

Eleven-year-old Maria Simmerman was among several hundred students at a Washington Center presentation of "Heidi" on Wednesday morning.

"There were speakers and lights dropping, but I wasn't so worried about myself, I was praying that my family would be OK," Maria said.

Time of thanks

During Sunday's morning service, Dianna Ullery's husband and the church's pastor, the Rev. Howard Ullery, told his congregation that the earthquake can be thought of as a wake-up call and a time to give thanks.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth be moved and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea," Ullery read from Psalm 46.

"We've had some unusual circumstances this week. And, these are moments when we reflect on the fragility of life. These same moments lead us to celebrate life."

Ullery then offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the safety of his congregation, in which he said the quake helped South Sound residents understand the impact of recent, move serious, earthquakes in El Salvador and India.

After the service, earthquake stories were the prevalent topic of conversation among the congregation of about 60 members.

Edith Downing, 78, said she was playing the piano for a Methodist Ash Wednesday service at Panorama City when the quake hit.

"We had just finished singing, 'How Firm a Foundation' when the earth started shaking. That was timely," Downing said.

Charlotte Michael says the earthquake didn't inspire any fear in her.

"I live every day like I'm ready anyway," Michael said. "And, at 88 years old, there isn't much that can scare you."

Ruth Longoria writes for The Olympian. She can be reached at 754-5435.

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