I Want to Help

In tough times, “Christians have an important opportunity to share what they have with those who have not,” writes Doug Mendenhall (’82) in his most recent Soul Food column in the Huntsville (Ala.) Times newspaper. Mendenhall is instructor and journalist-in-residence in ACU’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. His insights may provide inspiration for you today.

A live audiocast of Anabel Reid’s “A Celebration of Life” memorial service is being provided by Acapella Radio.

Listen live at 5:30 p.m. (CST): http://bit.ly/v76wx1

A full video replay of the memorial service will be posted later this evening. You’ll find the video on this blog as soon as it becomes available.

Earlier today, sophomore Anna Watson was released from Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo.

Six people are still hospitalized with injuries from last Friday’s bus accident. Three of them remain in critical condition.

Abilene Christian University is providing free transportation today for those who wish to attend tonight’s “A Celebration of Life” memorial service in Lubbock for Anabel Reid.

Two charter buses – one for students and faculty from the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and a second for other friends – will leave campus at 1:30 p.m. today. Anyone is welcome to ride on the bus with priority reserved for current students, faculty and staff.

The memorial service begins at 5:30 p.m. at Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock. Afterward, the church will provide dinner for the ACU guests before they return to Abilene.

Passengers can board the charter buses in front of the Zona Luce Building on Campus Court. Seating on the second bus is first-come, first-served and open to all.

ACU will provide a live audiocast of the service at 5:30 p.m. in the McCaleb Conference Center of the Hunter Welcome Center. Later tonight, a video replay will be available on this blog.

For those who cannot be in Lubbock today to attend the memorial service honoring Anabel Reid, a live audiocast will be made available to members of the ACU family.

“A Celebration of Life” for Anabel will begin at 5:30 p.m. today in the McCaleb Conference Center of the Hunter Welcome Center, the same time the service begins in Lubbock at Broadway Church of Christ.

Later tonight, a video replay will be available on this blog.

In response to the outpouring of help from friends of ACU, the university issued the following statement today:

On Nov. 4, 2011, at approximately 3:20 p.m., the ACU family suffered a tremendous accidental loss. At that time, a bus driven by Michael W. Nicodemus lost control, skidded off the highway into a ditch and hit a culvert. Sophomore Anabel Reid lost her life; a number of others were injured; and the entire ACU family was forever scarred.

Our focus continues to be on meeting the needs of those who are suffering as a result of these events. In that regard, the Reid family has graciously extended an invitation for all those who are interested to join with them in two upcoming services to honor the memory of Anabel.

In celebrating this amazing young woman’s life, we remember the heroic efforts of those who kept this tragedy from growing in scope. We would like to express our gratitude to the first responders and members of the law enforcement community who rushed to aid those involved. Further, we must recognize the invaluable aid provided by members of the Winters High School football team that came upon the scene in the minutes immediately after the crash. The coaches and trainers placed the needs of those involved above their own, and for that they have our heartfelt gratitude.

We support the Department of Public Safety and members of its team who have worked tirelessly in recent days. We understand their work is ongoing and could take many months until completion.

The university extends its gratitude to the many individuals who have reached out to contribute their time, talents, prayers and other resources. The entire ACU community remains devoted to helping the members of our family and their loved ones who are hurting. We have taken only the first steps down what will surely be a long road. We appreciate the community’s compassionate response to date, and we ask that care and concern continue to be extended to those who have suffered loss.

ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert

Several thousand members of the entire Abilene Christian University community – students, faculty, staff, plus neighbors and other friends – committed Monday morning’s Chapel in Moody Coliseum to worship and encourage each other in the largest gathering of people on campus since last Friday afternoon’s accident. Friends and family followed along online via livestream of the event.

The devotional period including singing and prayer, and recognition of the family of Anabel Reid, the 19-year-old sophomore who died in the accident. The Reid family, from Petersburg, Texas, was present.

ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert’s closing words:

“Billy Graham tells a story of the words that were found pinned on the wall of a Nazi prison cell in Europe. It said, “I believe in love even when I don’t feel it. I believe in God even when He is silent.’

I know we have many unanswered questions and a range of emotions – sadness, anger, hurt, uncertainty. We can search for all the answers in times like this, but we may never find them. Or in times like this, we can search for God and we will always find Him. Our enemy may try to use this tragedy to tear us down and discourage us. But I can promise you that our Father will use this trial to build us up and bring us together.

The heartbreak we feel began at a specific spot on a specific road last Friday afternoon. But our healing will take place over a long period of time. The road to recovery will run through classrooms, dorm rooms and counselor’s offices. Healing will occur along sidewalks, in sanctuaries, and in moments of stillness with God. Our suffering is severe, but this ACU family is strong. Our pain is real, but so is our God.

I want to remind us of a truth that we must never forget. This past Friday, 16 members of our family embarked on a mission trip. They, like all of us should be, were enthusiastically engaged in fulfilling the mission of God – serving children and orphans in the name of Christ. We’ve grown used to safety in western Christianity. Sometimes it’s even difficult to scare us.

But throughout history, the mission of God has never been safe. It never has been and never will be. Part of ACU’s Promise includes the adjective ‘authentic,’ which describes what kind of spiritual growth best equips us to make a real difference in the world. For something to be considered ‘authentic,’ it must be tested. It must be tried and found to be true.

This tragedy, this trouble, it shouldn’t surprise us. Someone once asked C.S. Lewis, ‘Why do the righteous suffer?’ ‘Why not,’ he replied, ‘They’re the only ones who can take it.’ None of us want to be tested like this. But here we are. Long before the ACU Promise, Jesus made a promise to his followers – ‘I told you these things so that in me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, for I have overcome the world.’

Students, I can’t begin to express how proud I am of you. For the way you have responded, the love and support that you’ve shown to each other, the way you’ve grieved together, the way you’ve honored God and your friends like Anabel, and the resolve you’ve shown to be God’s hands and feet in a world that so desperately needs you – needs your love, your kindness, your compassion, your selflessness, your smile … the hope in your eyes that only comes from knowing God. You are so amazing. And you are strong.

And may we all remember that in this world that we will have trouble, but in Christ we have peace. Trouble will strike and we will grieve, but we will never give up. And we will never stop doing the work that God has called us to.

May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and bring healing to our hurt as we continue to join the mission of God and bring hope to this world.”

A Celebration of Life service in Reid’s honor will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas. Schubert announced that one day in Chapel next week will be devoted to honoring the difference Anabel made at ACU and in the lives of many people.

Some 800 Abilene Christian University students – supported by faculty, staff and friends in the community – attended a special version last night of Nine O’Clock, the Sunday night praise and prayer service held in the auditorium of University Church of Christ. It was the first time for some to be together since news Friday afternoon of a bus accident that sent 16 members of the ACU family to four hospitals, some of whom remain in critical condition.

One, 19-year-old sophomore Anabel Reid of Petersburg, Texas, died of her injuries.

“In great respect, we ask big questions of You,” prayed Brent Isbell, preaching minister of the University congregation. “More than answers, we need You: Your Spirit, Your presence … show us the way forward.”

Dr. Jeff Arrington, associate vice president for student life, updated students on the conditions of those injured, and echoed Isbell’s prayer. “It’s not somebody else’s news, God. It’s ours and it’s more than we can stand,” he prayed.

Dr. Mark Hamilton, who spoke at Friday night’s candlelight prayer service in Beauchamp Amphitheater, also prayed. Hamilton is professor of Old Testament and associate dean of the Graduate School of Theology.

The audience linked arms and sang Nine O’Clock’s traditional closing song, “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.”

Another devotional service will take place Monday during ACU’s daily Chapel at 11 a.m. in Moody Coliseum, and will be livestreamed for friends and family around the world.

Many thanks to Gary Rhodes for his images of this gathering.

Even if you can’t be present in Abilene, you can watch live the devotional services being held tonight and Monday for the ACU family.

At 9 p.m. tonight, watch a livestream of Nine O’Clock, the time of praise and fellowship ACU students attend each Sunday night of the school year in the auditorium of University Church of Christ. You can view tonight’s service at uccabilene.org/ucc-live.

At 11 a.m. Monday, daily Chapel in Moody Coliseum will be livestreamed at acu.edu/live.

The Abilene community has been invited to join ACU students, staff and faculty at both devotionals.

Three of the injured passengers from Friday afternoon’s bus accident were released from hospitals today: Dr. Jim Cooke of Abilene and students Kathleen Henderson and Kendra Unamba. Cooke is professor of environmental science. Henderson is a junior from Rockport, Texas, and Unamba is a sophomore from Midlothian, Texas.

Seven remain hospitalized, three in critical condition. They are in hospitals in Dallas, Abilene and San Angelo.

Please check back often for updates and additional information.