Disaster Response
Nineteen thousand people dead so far. (This is more than five times the population of Chester.) Countless more are missing, and rescue efforts are hampered by weather, blocked roads, vehicle shortages and logistical hurdles. The devastation is unfathomable. And, true to form, the United Church of Christ is already pouring resources into the disaster response. In fact, most of you remember Rev. Kent Siladi: the earthquake in Turkey and Syria occurred just one day after Kent left Turkey having attended an ecumenical conference with Christians from around the region.
I’m sending this message out a day earlier than usual because the need is immediate, and it is massive. The UCC is providing opportunities for relief, which you can find on the SNEUCC web page at https://www.sneucc.org/newsdetail/turkey-and-syria-earthquake-appeal-17300886.
You can also contribute by texting UCCDISASTER to 41444. Kent, who is now the UCC’s Director of Philanthropy, wrote earlier this week, “All donations will be deposited into the International Emergency fund designated for ‘Turkey and Syria Earthquake Response.’ Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need, for relief and long-term recovery.” I’ve already made my contribution; I encourage you, as you are able, to do so as well. You may also bring a check to the church marked “Turkey & Syria Relief” and we will pass it along. Thank you for your strong support to our church’s mission, both around the corner and around the world.
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On a different topic, our Deacons are once again making the UCC’s Lent Devotionals available to the congregation. Written by the Still-Speaking Writers Group, this year’s devotional is titled Running from Empty and contains a devotion for each day during Lent. I’m confident you will find the writings provocative (provoking us to “love and good works,” as we heard from Hebrews a couple weeks ago), inspiring, witty and as fresh as the morning’s headlines. They will be available in the narthex beginning this Sunday.
The links to Sunday’s bulletin and service are below: