wfn.org | A&M tragedy 'defining moment' for university church

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Nov. 24, 1999 News media contact Thomas S. McAnally (615)742-5470
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By United Methodist News Service

The Nov. 18 tragedy that killed a dozen Texas A&M college students has been
a "defining moment" for A&M United Methodist Church, located about 700 yards
from where the young people were erecting logs for a bonfire.

The Rev. Charles Anderson, pastor of the "university church" in College
Station, said most of the 12 victims as well as the 27 students injured
"have crossed our path one time or another."

"This is a tragedy not only because of the overwhelming numbers but because
it is so personal," he said.  "Each of these numbers has a face for us."

The church held two memorial services Sunday, Nov. 21, attended by a total
of 1,700 people. A third service was held the same day in memory of Timothy
Kerlee Jr., of 
Bartlett, Tenn., an affiliate member of the A&M Church.

Three other United Methodists were among those killed: Bryan A. McClain,
Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, San Antonio; Nathan Scott West,
Bellaire (Texas) United Methodist Church; Miranda Adams, First United
Methodist Church, Pasadena, Texas.

Amid the tragedy, a longtime member of A&M Church told Anderson that "this
has been our church's finest hour."

"Isn't it something that we can cry and grieve and still say this is the
church's finest hour," Anderson exclaimed. "We have a new understanding of
the death and resurrection message and what the Gospel is all about."

The tragedy has provided the church an "incredible opportunity" to serve the
university and the community, he said. "This is what the Gospel calls us to
be in moments like this and for moments like this. It's been holy ground. We
have shared the joy of parents who have discovered their child would live
and the depths when we where there with Tim when he died."

He told of being stopped in the hallway of the local hospital. "You're a
minister, aren't you?" he was asked. "We don't know you, but would you come
pray with us?"  

The entire experience has helped A&M United Methodist Church "find itself
once again," Anderson said.  

Texas A&M's 90-year-old tradition of building a bonfire for its homecoming
football game turned tragic when the pile of logs collapsed. Eleven people
were killed immediately, and a 12th person died later. Twenty-eight students
were injured.

Students usually spend several weeks building the 55-foot stack of logs,
under close supervision of engineers and other adults. Investigators are
looking into the possibility that the center pole supporting the logs
collapsed. 

This is the second time in 90 years that there will be no bonfire. The first
was in 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated.

The accident is the third tragedy to strike on or near the Texas A&M campus
in a matter of months. In September, five people died when a skydiving plane
crashed, and, in October, six students were killed when struck by a pickup
truck.

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United Methodist News Service
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