As wildfires rage, California town rallies for material, spiritual help

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Pick any road in Redding, Calif., and community members will tell you they aren’t surprised to see handmade thank-you signs lining the streets.

Typically the signs consist of block letters, hearts and firefighter figures meant to convey Californians’ gratitude for emergency helpers following one of the state’s worst fires.

“I think it’s been really powerful for this community to learn what it means to say ‘thank you,’” said the Rev. Janet Chapman of First Christian Church of Redding (Disciples of Christ). “I hope we never forget that.”

In northern California, the Carr fire and Mendocino Complex fires are 70 percent contained. In total, more than 800,000 acres across the state have burned, making it one of the worst fire seasons in California’s history.

For the full story: https://religionnews.com/2018/08/20/as-wildfires-rage-california-town-rallies-for-material-spiritual-help/