New 8/25-9/15 2009 – ch Presbyterian Church of Wales
I returned to the office this morning to receive your emails from Taiwan concerning the devastation of recent storms and the suffering of so many people. I extend to the PCT and indeed the people affected the prayers and sympathies of the Presbyterian Church of Wales. We would be pleased to receive more detailed information from you about theextent of the destruction and of details of any bank account to which a financial contribution can be made. I have also noted the contents of the email referring to the discussions re China. I shall make this issue known within the Church. Greetings to all Rev. Dafydd Andrew Jones PCW Director of Life and Witness United Reformed Church UK
I am writing to you on behalf of your global link partner in the United Kingdom the North Western Synod of the United Reformed Church to express our sorrow at the devastation which has overcome your island as a result of Typhoon Morakot. We note the way you have joined the relief effort to help the people in the south as they come to terms with lost relatives and destroyed homes. I know that you have already received many expressions of support from the United Reformed Church but would want you to know that our North Western Synod is praying for you all at this time of rescue and reconstruction. If there is anything that you would particularly wish us to pray for please do not hesitate to let me know. We circulated the open letter to President Barack Obama which I am aware some of our congregations have put their name to. We recognise your struggle for recognition in the international community and your deep desire for self determination. Please be assured of our fellowship in the Gospel at this testing time. With best wishes, Yours in Christ’s service, Richard Church Moderator – North Western Synod The United Reformed Church United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Greetings of Peace from Manila! We are saddened by the recent devastation in Taiwan as a result of continuous rainfall and massive mudslide. We took note ofmore than 500 death toll, more than 7,000 homeless people and the 1.5 billion dollar damages in your country. The Philippines was also hit by several typhoons recently but not as hardest hit asTaiwan.
As brothers and sisters of God's household, we want to express our sadness and solidarity. We will continue to pray for your church as you minister to the victims and survivors. May we find peace in the assurance that there is always hope for people in despairand hope in Christ our Saviour. Very sincerely, Amy Ramiro Calumpag Partnership and Ecumenical Relations Program (UCCP) Uniting Church in Australia
I write on behalf o the Uniting church in Australia in Queensland to express our deepest sympathy at the tragic situation your nation faces. We have heard the reports of the devastation caused by Typhoon Morakot, the deadliest storm in 50 years. We have heard that there were 153 people and 4634 people missing. We can only begin to imagine what this means for those personally affected. As brothers and sister in Christ, we want to assure you that we stand with you, we are praying for you as you try to offer the love and compassion of Christ among your people. May God in his love and mercy bless you and sustain you through this difficult time. Grace and Peace be with you. Rev. Bruce Johnson Moderator, Queensland Synod (UCA) Church of Christ in Japan
Peace!
We have been remembering the disaster by the typhoon Marakot, even though we were so slow in sending you any message. We did receive the message from PCT and called CCJ churches to collect offerings for your program to support the churches and people who have suffered. We will be sending the money by the beginning of October. Yours, Masayuki Sawa Chair of the Ecumenical Relations Committee (CCJ) Berlin Mission
Please receive my best greetings from Berlin. Thanks to your E-Mail we havelearned moreabout the catastrophicflood disasterwhich affected the people of Taiwan.In the German TV newsthere were moving reports too. From Berlin we will send a contributionto your church as donation in favor of the needy people. I will give youinformation when Iknow more details concerningthe bank order. Sincerely yours Ekkehard Zipser Berlin Mission, Evangelical Church Berlin-Brandenburg - Silesian Upper Lusatia United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) In the latter part of last year some of us from the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa were blessed to part of a CWM Consultation on Gender hosted by the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan. We still remember the warmth with which we were received and the generosity of the people of Taiwan wherever we went, both in cities and in the villages. We still remember that hospitality with thanksgiving and pleased that we could be part of such a blessed experience.
Then came typhoon Morakot! We watched with amazement the dreadful impact of 102 inches of rain on the Southern part of your country. The landslides that buried brothers and sisters alive. We, in the Southern part of the African continent have had floods in Mozambique in recent years. Those were frightening enough. But the devastation, destruction, and fatalities caused by Typhoon Morakot was on a scale we could scarcely fathom. We wish humbly to join with you in mourning the death of in excess of, 543 of your citizens. We pray in hopefulness for the 117 persons still missing and that the church will bring comfort and support to their families. We ask for wisdom and God's grace for those who will be tasked to bring counsel and strength to those who will have to identify loved ones only through the 60 or so limbs that have been discovered. We urge the PCT to hold your President, His Excellency Ma Ying-jeon, to his promise that he will ensure a better response of emergency services to tragedies of this kind. Alas, for those who have lost loved ones this time, it is too late. So through you and the organs of your denomination we would pass on our sincere condolences to our brothers and sisters and assure you of our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Yours in Christ, Rev. Dr. Prince Dibeela UCCSA General Secretary/ and CWM Moderator
National Council of Churches in Japan We, at NCCJ, are sending our prayers to the people of Taiwan who have been affected by the typhoon. In Japan, we have been reading and hearing about the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Morakat. We have heard it is the worst typhoon to hit Taiwan in 50 years. Mudslides have killed one hundred thirty people and other are still missing. We grieve for those who have lost their loved ones and their homes. We realize your church relief efforts are working hard |