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Damage to Church Considered Minimal
SIREN, WI (June 20, 2001) - Damage to Siren Covenant Church from Monday evening's tornado is considered minimal, Covenant News Service has been advised. Much of the remainder of this small resort community did not fare as well, however, with three people killed and another 16 injured, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
The community of 900 people, located northeast of the Twin Cities, was the subject of major television network news reports Tuesday, which showed large portions of residential and business areas completely devastated by the storm's fury. Compounding the problems was the inoperable status of the town's warning system, which had been damaged some time ago and was scheduled for repairs, one network newscast reported.
"It's the first time I've been through such a devastating storm," said Siren Covenant pastor Mark Swenson, who at the time of the storm was working in the basement of a newly constructed home he and wife, Janet, planned to occupy near the end of the month. The home was not damaged.
"It's strange knowing that you've eaten at the local Dairy Queen (damaged) and your daughter played in the upstairs room of the general store, which is now gone," Swenson reflected. "You grieve for those who have lost homes, yet you also realize it could've been a lot worse. All of the property will be rebuilt - you'll drive down that section of Siren and people will be living in new homes.
"But, you don't replace 115-year-old trees and the trauma will not go away for so many people," he continued. "There are physical structures that have always been there that are no longer there. One of the hardest things for me is to see how the personality and the landscape of the physical community is so forever altered."
Some members of the Siren church lost homes and businesses in the storm, Swenson reported. Neighboring Calvary Covenant Church in Grantsburg also has members who suffered property losses.
The Siren church was damaged when a tree toppled into the building. Although formal damage estimates have yet to be completed, Swenson said he expects damage to be considered minimal, especially when considered to damage to other structures in the area.
The pastor said he has been encouraged by the sense of unity in the community, a place he has served as interim pastor since last fall. Sunday is the scheduled formal installation of Swenson as pastor, following his acceptance of a call from the Siren congregation. "There's an overwhelming sense of pulling together," Swenson said of the community's response. "That shows the redemptive power of God touching lives in a powerful way."
Although the church per se is not in immediate need of assistance, Swenson said some of the members could use financial help as well as donated labor to help clear debris from property and help restore a sense of normalcy to their lives. "It's an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ," he noted.
Additional information can be obtained by calling Swenson at 715-349-5601.
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