Memorial service is held in aftermath of Calif. fires By Bob Davis The Layman Online Monday, November 3, 2003 Skies are gray. Mist and sprinkles are clearing the air of smoke and ash. The news is reporting that the fires in San Diego are likely to be fully contained by Monday. This may be a long update, so here's what's in it: 1. The Memorial Services Bearing Witness to the Resurrection 2. A Somewhat Brief Explanation of How the Tragedy Occurred 3. A Reflection on Being Presbyterian in the Midst of this Week I have received notes sharing the news of damage reported in Riverside Presbytery. The scope of these fires is enormous and the damage immense. What follows is simply one significant piece of the larger picture. 1. The Memorial Service We held the memorial services for 16-year-old Ashleigh Roach on Thursday. We had two services: one at Westminster Presbyterian in Escondido, the other at the Center for the Arts in Escondido. Thousands of people attended at least one of the services. Others tried, but could not find parking. Others still were able to watch it on television as several local stations picked up the live feed from the Center for the Arts. The services were an incredible blessing. If you'd like to read portions of the service – including the rememberance of this remarkable young woman – we will have those posted on the church's website by Monday (www.westminster-escondido.org and look for "Services for Ashleigh"). Ashleigh's faith in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of her life shaped the entire service. Her hope was assured. She was able to enjoy the gifts of each day of her life. At one point, she told her mother that, "I'm so happy right now, I don't want to grow up." One week ago, last Saturday night, was her first homecoming dance. She was filled with joy. Even in the midst of the tears and sniffling during the services, there was also laughter and smiles as her family and friends remembered Ashleigh's life. We pray that the testimony of her life and the witness she gave will touch the hearts of those in this community and beyond. 2. A brief explanation To give some idea of how this tragedy occurred: The Roach's property backs up to a canyon. They have a long single-lane driveway that they share with several other families. At the end of the driveway is the Valley Center Fire Station. They are very close with the firefighters there. On Saturday night, the Roaches were aware that a fire was burning. They were watching its progression and it looked like it was safely north and west of them. They had packed things in vehicles, just in case. They slept in their clothes, just in case. On Sunday morning, a sheriff rang their home and urged them to get out. The sheriff estimated they had twenty minutes to get out. They were moving and headed out the door in under ten, but the fire was already upon them and surrounding them. The explanation we have received subsequently is that they experienced a "firestorm" from "convection" heat. Essentially, what this means is that the canyon heated up without actually breaking into flame. Then, all of a sudden, at one moment, it exploded in flame and rushed up the hundreds of yards in the canyon in an instant. The energy shot the fire up and out of the head of the canyon like a flash flood of fire – right at the Roach's property. As they opened the door to get out, they were blasted with heat, flaming embers, smoke and debris. To give you an idea of the kind of heat involved, fireproof safes melted and were destroyed. All the cars were lined up and ready to go. Five of the six cars made it through the flames and smoke to clear the end of their driveway. Jason, Allyson and Ashleigh – who were in the sixth car, didn't get out. Through the smoke and the flames, Jason hit the accelerator and somewhere on the drive hit a vehicle that someone else had abandoned. It caused the airbags to deploy, locked the steering wheel and sent them down an embankment into a tree that was on fire. Jason got out and helped Allyson get out but was overcome with smoke and flame before he could look for Ashleigh. He hoped she was able to get out on her own; unfortunately, she never moved from the back seat. Her parents and brother have said that they realize that Ashleigh was a gift to them for 16 years. They traveled back to their property yesterday looking for any pieces of things that might have survived. A few items were spared. Allyson Roach remains in critical care at the burn center in UCSD. She has second- and third-degree burns over 85% of her body. Doctors continue to say that she has about a 25% chance of surviving. More positively, though, she has already survived two surgeries and her lung injuries have not impaired their ability to get oxygen to her blood. She faces at least three months in intensive care and at least 30 more surgeries. As Lori Roach, her mother, has said in interviews, "Each day is a blessing and a victory." Ashleigh has become a symbol of the tragedy, but also a symbol for the assurance of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. The instant support that has been offered is a manifestation of the body of Christ grieving her loss together, along with the prayers for Allyson's recovery. Again, if you, your congregation, or someone you know feels called to make a contribution to help the Roach family, tax deductible donations checks can be made out to Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Attention Roach Family designation and can be sent to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1500 South Juniper, Escondido, California 92025. 3. On being Presbyterian So many times the analyses of what's happening in the life of the Presbyterian Church (USA) focuses on what is not working – let me take this time to share with you what is working. My constant refrain in these updates is "equipping the people of the church to do the work of the church." Here in San Diego, we have seen that bear fruit this week. First, we have had the comfort of being able to ask for and receive help from people we know. Many – if not most – of the congregations were represented at the services on Thursday. Pastors, elders and members have gone out of their way to help one another. While this may not be unique to Presbyterians, our hard work and breaking bread together as a presbytery prior to this fire has made our connections a much more solid foundation upon which to build. The e-mail list locally has been abuzz with substantive conversation about how we might bind ourselves ever closer together to help re-build our communities. Second, we have been encouraged to proclaim the gospel in the midst. We have not played defense attorneys trying to get God off the hook for the devastation and tragedies. No, we have talked about how God is in the midst weeping with us and how we have confidence in God's promises that we shall be conquerors through Christ Jesus. And that's not just the pastors speaking. The work that we have been doing in this presbytery on the essential tenets helped strengthen our folks, giving them a vocabulary and confidence to share their faith boldly. Third, the connections we have had with Presbyterians around the country have astounded people in this community. Tears have been shed as letters have been shared from New York City, Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Washington, and many other places too numerous to list. It's one thing to hear on the news that people around the country want to help; it's another thing altogether to receive notes personally addressed offering prayers and encouragement. It has been a blessing to me personally to be asked to share what is happening here so that Ashleigh's life and witness might be an example elsewhere. When people are equipped to do the work of the church, often times our eyes are opened to see miracles taking place in our midst. I don't know how else to explain the transformation of tears into joy through the memorial services; yes, hard times are yet to come, but there is a sense in which we have greater confidence that God holds us close in his arms. 4. Final Thoughts I do thank you for your thoughts, prayers, notes, and encouragement this week. It has been a hard week. As always, if you know others who would like to get these updates, please have them post me a note with their preferred name and preferred e-mail address. Other address information is optional, but helpful: mailing address, congregation, presbytery. Thank you also for your prayers and support of the Presbyterian Forum. We remain committed to equipping the people of the church to do the work of the church – more so now than ever before. The Rev. Bob Davis is the associate pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Escondido, Calif., and the executive director of the Presbyterian Forum.

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