We are all encouraged to give to the Uniting Church’s International Disaster Appeal which is jointly for survivors of the recent catastrophic events in Samoa, Tonga, Niue, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Devastation in the far northern reaches of Tonga (photo: ABC News)
Many members of the Church of All Nations have close personal connections and knowledge of the places and people affected. How many Australians do you suppose have been to the remote Tongan island of Niuatoputapu? Well Damian, a member of our congregation, visited in 2001 and he says:
“It’s a small island with a large, flat expanse around a small mountain. Two of the 3 villages have been wiped out by the tsunami, leaving 1,000 out of the total population of 1,600 homeless.
“It’s one of the most remote islands in the world. It’s the kind of place that gets its groceries delivered once every 3 months. There’s only one plane in Tonga that can land on the island and it can only take a dozen or so passengers. All these factors make the relief and rebuilding of this remote community very difficult.”
We know well how extreme weather events like typhoons are increasing with global warming. It’s not widely appreciated how climate change is also increasing tectonic movements that cause earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis.
Our Synod Moderator, Isabel Thomas Dobson, urges us to support the Disaster Appeal and to pray. She offers this prayer:
Living and Loving God,
We pray for your people and your creation battered by natural disasters in the Philippines, Samoa, Indonesia and nearby countries.
Sumatra, where more than 1,000 people are thought to have died in Wednesday's earthquake (photo: Oxfam Australia)
Give strength to those involved in rescue and relief efforts,
comfort to those who mourn,
help and healing to the injured and homeless
and a spirit of generosity to your church.In the midst of heartache, confusion and desolation
may your Holy Spirit bring courage and peace.
In the name of Christ we pray.Amen
Donations to the International Disaster Appeal will be sent to our partner churches in the affected areas. To donate, you can ring the toll-free number 1800 998 122 or donate online.
Alternately, the National Council of Churches has a specific appeal, as does Oxfam Australia.
