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Burma disaster: support from
United Reformed Church
The United Reformed Church has sent a message of support to the Presbyterian
Church in Myanmar, and has issued an appeal for help, following the cyclone,
which has devastated parts of the country and killed many thousands of people.
The greatest impact of cyclone Nargis was in
the vast southern Irrawaddy Delta. Most
members of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM) live in the north
west of the country, in and around the city of Tahan. While it seems
this area was spared the worst of the devastation, the PCM has an office
and staff in Yangon (Rangoon) and there are concerns for their safety.
The two churches have had a long and important
relationship. The Revd Dale Rominger, secretary for World Church
Relations, has e-mailed the general secretary of PCM, the Revd
Lalengzauva, saying ‘Please know that your friends in the United
Reformed Church are holding you in their prayers. I am assuming that
most PCM people in the Tahan area are safe, at least that is what the
news here would lead me to believe. However, I know people may have lost
family and friends in other parts of the country. I'm also aware that
your staff in Yangon may have been affected. I pray for their safety.’
The Council for World Mission is making funds
available from its Solidarity and Action Fund and is also undertaking
its own efforts to provide food, clothing and medical supplies. The Revd
Dr. Des van der Water, general secretary of CWM has e-mailed all member
churches. He writes: ‘This comes as a sincere and earnest appeal to your
Church to rally in support of the PCM and the people of Myanmar. Your
expressions of solidarity, your prayers and, if possible, a financial
donation towards relief work would be most welcome’.
CWM has requested that any United Reformed
Church donations be sent through Church House. If you would like to make
a donation, please send a cheque made payable to the United Reformed
Church, and indicate the donation is for Myanmar Flood Relief. The
address is United Reformed Church, World Church Relations office, 86
Tavistock Place London WC1H 9RT.
A personal message from the Moderator of the General
Assembly of the United Reformed Church to the general secretary of the
Presbyterian Church in Myanmar:
Dear Dr Lalengzauva,
Since my own memorable visit to Myanmar I have held our friends in the
Presbyterian Church in my prayers, together with all the people. Our concern for
you has grown in recent months and is now deepened by news of the cyclone. The
glimpses we have seen of Yangon on television remind me of the bustling city
where I ate and shopped and worshipped and it grieves me to see it laid low.
Although you may have been spared the worst of the weather in Tahan the shortage
of fuel and food is bound to affect the whole country. I am appealing to our
members to pray for you all and to make what gifts of money they can to be sent
to help you in these most distressing times. Be assured of our continuing
prayers.
May God give you comfort,
Your friend and co-worker,
Stephen Orchard,
Moderator of the General Assembly
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