Australasia

Following the earthquake that hit Christchurch on 22 February, Desmond Cooper, President of the Methodist Church New Zealand, issued this statement:

The President, Vice-President, and General Secretary of the Methodist Church of New Zealand (Te hahi O Weteriana o Aotearoa) together with the leaders of Methodist social service agencies around New Zealand, express their deep concern for all the people of Christchurch and the Canterbury region.

We acknowledge the combined efforts of government, emergency services (both local and overseas) as well as so many welfare agencies in addressing the immediate issues facing all those injured and displaced by the earthquake.

Through all the turmoil and destruction, we draw strength from the way in which both locals and individuals from throughout New Zealand have responded; the outpouring of care, compassion and human kindness we are witnessing is something we can all draw strength from and be incredibly proud of. Our own people are on the ground working hard, assessing damage and caring for those most greatly affected.

The Methodist Church of New Zealand, based in Christchurch, has itself been impacted by this disaster and we mourn the loss of three people in the collapse of the Durham street church and stand alongside all others who have suffered loss of loved ones.

After the initial response has passed, a secondary phase of redevelopment and revitalisation will be required. We will also be involved in this stage of the work; assisting individuals of all ages, families and neighbourhoods, to rebuild lives, livelihoods and communities.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Methodist Church New Zealand should make it payable to the World Mission Fund and send it to Methodist Church House, World Church Relationships Office, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR.

And here is a special prayer for New Zealand from Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator for Asia & the Pacific:

God of Love, we pray today for the country of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

As its peoples contemplate the wreckage of the city of Christchurch,

As families search for the missing and grieve for the lost,

As children and adults cope with the disorientation of moving ground and shaking buildings,

May they know your presence as unshakable rock and fount of love.

God of Love in the midst of tension and disaster in many parts of your world,

we pray in particular for our brothers and sisters in the Methodist Church of New Zealand,

for the members of the destroyed church in Durham Street and those injured and trapped there.

May the wounds of your Church be healed and its members continue to show your love in acts of service and generosity.

God of Love,

May the 'land of the long white cloud', Aotearoa,

That we know as a land of beauty, of holidays, of families,

Be today for its citizens also a place of neighbourliness, of caring, of healing.

We pray in your name, God of Creation, of Love and of Strength,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Amen.

The Methodist Church in Britain has sent a solidarity Grant of £20,000 from the World Mission Fund to the Methodist Church New Zealand.

For more information on how the World Mission Fund is being used in Asia-Pacific, please

contact Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator for Asia-Pacific:

wcr.asiapacific@methodistchurch.org.uk