Methodists
overflowwith compassion
for tsunami victims
Methodists
overflow
with compassion
for tsunami victims
METHODISTS have united with other
Singaporeans in their compassion for victims of the Dec 26, 2004
earthquake and tsunami that devastated the coastal areas of the
Indian Ocean and left more than 150,000 dead.
"At such a time like this, we are called to respond with
love and compassion and think of the thousands of victims and
the millions of people affected by this tragedy," said Bishop
Dr Robert Solomon.
Methodists are especially called to pray for the victims of the
disaster and those in the relief operations. Church members attended
a special Prayer Service of the National Council of Churches of
Singapore on Jan 7, 2005, at Saint Andrew's Cathedral.
At press time, a conservative estimate of financial collections
from Methodist congregations in Singapore exceeds $500,000 in
response to Bishop Dr Solomon's appeal in an effort which will
continue for some time, and includes efforts to collect and send
badly-needed material supplies.
This is in addition to the immediate response of The Methodist
Church in Singapore (MCS) releasing $30,000 from emergency funds
to be used by the Singapore Red Cross in co-ordinating disaster
relief in those areas hardest hit.
The MCS is also collaborating with other agencies, including the
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to provide important
medical supplies for those affected in Aceh.
In addition, Methodists have responded in a number of other ways
through Annual Conference appeals, Methodist Centre staff, Methodist
schools and individual responses.
Two groups have travelled to some of the areas hardest hit by
the disaster - the Disaster Relief Task Force of Trinity Annual
Conference (TRAC) sent a team of five to Sri Lanka from Jan 2
to 11, headed by the Rev Juliette Arulrajah, an executive committee
member of the Force, to conduct relief work, distribute food and
other necessities, clear debris as well as to ascertain the needs
of the local populace.
The team worked mostly with the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka
because of its close proximity to local communities. A number
of TRAC churches have also sent members into other hard-hit areas
such as Phuket and Aceh.
Also, a Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) team went into West Sumatra
on Jan 3 for medical relief work. Headed by Mr Han Hai Kwang,
CAC Finance Chairman and a member of Grace Methodist Church, the
team joined up with an Indonesian medical team to provide medical
help specifically to the villages of Nias, an island west of Aceh.
This mission is supported by many of the CAC churches.
It is clear that all 41 Methodist churches have responded in a
number of ways to contribute their gifts and services to alleviate
the suffering of the tsunami victims. They include special offerings
taken at watchnight services and Sunday worship services, sending
volunteers, and acting as collecting centres for clothes and supplies.
Tallies are not complete and many have not yet reported on their
contributions, but at press time, Methodist Message is aware of
the outpouring of compassion from many churches and schools.
 Members of TRAC's Disaster Relief Task Force team clearing debris in a building in Tangalle, a town in southern Sri Lanka, on Jan 5. -- TRAC picture. |
§ Aldersgate Methodist Church called
on its members to offer prayers, service, clothes and cash for
the TRAC Disaster Relief Task Force. § Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church gave offerings from its New Year watchnight service and Jan 9 service, along with prayers for the relief work. § Covenant Community Methodist Church gave both financial support through two offerings and in-kind support by collecting clothes and needed supplies. § Jurong Tamil Methodist Church held a special prayer meeting and collected money. § Kum Yan Cantonese Methodist Church is fully supporting the Bishop's appeal as well as the CAC Team to Nias through donations and prayer. § Living Hope Methodist Church collected funds on behalf of Trinity Methodist Church in Penang, encouraged prayer, called for volunteers, sent off a member who is serving with the Ministry of Home Affairs team in Phuket, and collected clothes for Indonesia. § Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church raised more than $70,000. § Paya Lebar Methodist Church sent 10 volunteers to Phuket on Jan 12. Other teams will follow. § Sengkang Methodist Church has collected funds from its members. § Toa Payoh Chinese Methodist Church and Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church both opened their premises as collection centres. § Toa Payoh Methodist Church collected funds and clothing for the TRAC Office and organised a community prayer meeting for the tsunami disaster on Jan 7. § Trinity Methodist Church collected funds and clothing. § Wesley Methodist Church, using the theme, "Ministry of Compassion and Mercy", is offering its collections for tsunami relief, and its Disaster Relief Ministry is co-ordinating a collection for the Maldives. |