CWM community unites behind quake-hit NZ
Churches across the globe have united in messages of prayer and support for the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) and the Congregational Union of New Zealand (CUNZ) following this week's devastating earthquake.
The support comes as New Zealand's prime minister John Keys declared the country a state of emergency as the death toll for victims in quake-hit Christchurch rose to 98 with more than 200 people still missing.
In a letter to the country's two CWM member churches, moderator and general secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan Rev Lai Hsien-Chang and Rev Chang Te-Chien said: "We wanted to let you know sisters and brothers in Taiwan mourn with you and pray for the victims and families. Not to mention the major tasks ahead for your people and government in the coming weeks and months.
"It is even more real and personal to us when we recall it is but a few months ago we had the privilege of attending your General Assembly meeting in Christchurch – at that time we were thankful the damage from last September's earthquake was mostly to property," they added.
General secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Wales (PCW), Rev Bryn Williams assured the two New Zealand Churches that the PCW would hold their people up in prayer during the "difficult days."
"As I write this email to you I am reminded of Psalm 46 and of knowing the stillness of God in all situations – even our, 'ever-present help in trouble'," he said, "And therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way".
Churches in Canada, Australia, India and the Pacific region have also passed on their support and prayers to churches in New Zealand and their communitites as they struggles to cope in the wake of the disaster.
PCANZ executive secretary Rev Martin Baker said messages and offers of help had come flooding in from worldwide - with many people asking how they can help: "Even as I write this, Christchurch emergency workers are doing their utmost to rescue people trapped in fallen buildings and crushed cars. Overnight we have received letters and notes from churches and individuals from around the world representing an outpouring of prayer and concern for the people of Christchurch. A question we are being asked by many is 'what can we do?'
"Upholding the rescue workers and medical staff in prayer is the most important thing right now. By all accounts, they are working tirelessly and doing an extraordinarily good job. I am also hearing stories of ministers and church members visiting neighbours and parishioners whose loved ones have not returned from work. We need to uphold them in their anxiety, fear and grief," he said.
Mr Baker reported that some PCANZ church buildings in Christchurch had been damaged including Knox, St Giles, St George's Iona and St Paul's Trinity Pacific - which was already undergoing repairs following Christchurch's last earthquake in September. Builders working on the church escaped death and injury as they were outside the building eating lunch when it happened.
Mr Baker said ministers across the country had also offered their support in the crisis: "I have received several offers from ministers and pastoral workers willing to travel to Christchurch to provide chaplaincy and support. We have offers of accommodation outside Christchurch for any individuals or families who need some time away."
Meanwhile emergency financial support is flooding into the country through numerous appeals.
CWM general secretary Rev Dr Collin Cowan has drawn together the support of the entire CWM community in a message stating that its member churches worldwide shared in the loss and grief suffered by victims in New Zealand: "I offer to you and the people of New Zealand our sincere condolences in this hour of pain and dislocation. We believe that God's abundant grace will meet you at your point of need and supply you with all that is needed to rise."
Read messages to PCANZ