Jan 13 2011
Pastoral Letter to the Uniting Church in WA
Dear Friends,
What heartache as we watch and listen to the devastation throughout Queensland, especially with the desperate stories of families who have lost loved ones, alongside the loss of pets, homes, businesses, belongings and so much more.
The enormity of this situation can be overwhelming. We try to remember that God is with us in this.
Rev Bruce Johnson, the Queensland Moderator, wrote to people after the first days of the flooding saying:
I have been greatly impressed with the way people from our churches are offering their skills and leadership in their respective communities. Their actions epitomise the desire of our Church to be ‘acting with love’, ‘living with hope’ and ‘witnessing in faith’. I want to thank and congratulate all who have been working so hard to express the love of Christ in these difficult situations.
Our WA Moderator, Rev Ken Williams, while currently on leave, has been in touch with the Queensland Moderator and sent the following message on behalf of the Uniting Church people of WA:
I know from some whom I met last week at NCYC that many of your members are and will be directly affected and many more will be assisting as they are able in the rescue and later in the recovery efforts.
I am sure I speak for all members of the Uniting Church in Western Australia in saying that we hold all who are grieving, all who are in fear, all who are suffering loss and all who are working to help in our most heartfelt prayers. And I know that Western Australians will be generous in their support of the financial appeals that have been announced.
The Uniting Church Assembly, in partnership with the Queensland Synod and Lifeline Queensland, has set up a Flood Appeal. The President of the Uniting Church, Rev Alistair Macrae, has written to all presbyteries to advise of this appeal, which will run nationally. Money donated will be directed to areas of most need across the north of Australia.
While our tears flow for the people of Queensland, we are also very mindful of the people of Gascoyne River, who are also experiencing devastating floods and a lot of loss. We have been in regular contact with John Tomkins, the Uniting Church’s pastoral worker in Carnarvon, who has been heavily involved in the evacuation and recovery efforts.
North West patrol ministers Rev Judy Knowling and Rev Lesley deGrussa Macaulay are supporting John on the ground, and will be doing patrol ministry around the Gascoyne area in the first week of February. However, this is dependent on roads being passable.
John will be monitoring the needs in the local area and would be grateful of any donations of monetary support.
The UnitingCare WA Forum, on behalf of our agencies (UnitingCare West, Good Samaritan Industries, Uniting Church Homes and UnitingCare Crossroads) has been in touch with UnitingCare Queensland and those managing the response to the Carnarvon flood to offer prayerful support and assistance.
Rev John Dunn, on behalf of the Forum, has assured them that if in the recovery phase they identify a need the agencies may be able to assist with, they will do everything possible to assist in finding the appropriate resources to help. Anne Cross, chief executive officer of UnitingCare Queensland has responded, “Thanks to you all for this prayerful support. I’ll be in touch again when we are through this immediate crisis period.”
Our land throws us many challenges through the summer months. As the people of the north of Australia battle rain and flood, the south is dry and facing continued fire risk. We also hold in our prayers the people of Waroona who have been impacted by fire over the past week.
We know that this summer season is not yet over, and pray for the safety of those living in fire risk areas.
I was inspired this week by a message from Rev Denise Savage, one of our First Third ministers, who is from Queensland and currently ‘holidaying’ there. Denise spoke of how the “tears, laughter and a rising sense of common identity” is what is holding people together in their time of fear and helplessness.
Denise also gave thanks that we live in a country where emergency services are so well co-ordinated and able to respond with such skill and dedication. Even in the midst of this experience, Denise was able to be mindful of places like Pakistan, where people have suffered such devastation with far greater consequences.
As we face our own need, may we stay mindful of the needs of our neighbours overseas.
Options for Financial Giving
The Uniting Church Flood Appeal is a national appeal which is direct money to areas of greatest need. Donations over $2 are tax deductible:
Donate online at http://ucfloodappeal.gofundraise.com.au/ or by phone on (07) 3250 1840.
Cheques can be sent to: Uniting Church Flood Appeal
C/o- Lifeline Community Care Queensland
PO Box 491
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Funds directed to the WA Uniting Church Disaster Relief Fund are not tax deductible. This fund will be used to meet identified needs within Western Australia, either in Carnarvon or in Waroona as we receive further information. Call the Uniting Church Centre on 9260 9800.
Cheques can be sent to: The Disaster Relief Fund
Uniting Church Synod of WA
GPO Box M952, Perth, WA, 6843
Ideas for prayers and worship resources will be made available on the Uniting Church’s Disaster Response website,www.wa.uca.org.au/disaster-response/
Together may we offer our prayers for all those who have lost so much. May they feel God’s comfort in the days ahead.
Sincerely
Kay Dowling
General Secretary