Have we heard from our partner church the United Church of Christ in Japan as to what their needs are?

I pray that they will feel the presence of God amidst the scenery of disaster. I pray that they will know that they are not alone.

 RevJamesMurray, I will find out.

Thanks,

Aaron.

I am unsure where to begin to pray, there are so many fears and places where hope is required. 

For our friends in Japan, I watch the pictures on the news, unable to fathom the loss to those from the area and the impact of that grief on the country and the peoples that surround you.   You have lost so much in such a short time, and though rebuilding is possible....one cannot replace lives lost.  ....or  trust in the safety of homes  or ...just the simple things such as momentos in homes and businesses destroyed by mud and water.

I imagine a God that weeps for the loss and the heartache.  A presence that is with you as you reconnect or find solace with friends.  A connection that leaps in joy when you use creativity to help each other despite the odds.

My hope is that you know that you are not alone.  I see above that there will be checks done to see what you need, what we can do...but for now, let me just offer my prayer that you be aware that we care about you, that we are here.  

To the People of Japan:

When you need help, we'll be there,

When you need a light in your darkness, we'll hold the candle.

When you are hungry, we will feed you,

When you've lost hope, we will give you reassurance.

Our prayers have feet and we are coming.

Hold on, we are with you.

Hi RevJamesMurray and others,

I've checked with staff in Partners in Mission (formerly JGER unit) and they say...

We have heard from partners asking for, and appreciating prayers of support. The United Church of Christ in Japan has issued an appeal, and the National Council of Churches in Japan is putting one together.

The United Church is also accepting donations designated for Japan Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction. We will be working with partners on how best to use that money.

Please watch this page for news and updates on the crisis in Japan and about ways to respond:

Japan Update: Prayers and Donations Welcome

To the People of japan.

My prayers and thoughts are with you,

In a time of devastation and loss of people may you  find hope for the future,

May you  find the strength to go on and to rebuild,

May you  dream dreams of a future better than the past and have the energy and resources to make the dream a reality.

May you hold those killed in your hearts and thoughts, and remeber the joy of knowing them,

and May you feel God's love around you.

My prayers are with you - the people of Japan.  I cannot even begin to imagine your suffering.  There seems little I can do - so far away on the other side of the world.  But I will make a donation through my church and trust that it will be added to other donations and sent to your country to be used in rescue, recovery and rebuilding your lives.

If any of you feel the need to leave your homeland because of the suffering and instability there, I do hope that my country (Canada) opens its doors and welcomes you and helps you to find a new life here.  I would offer a room in my home, an opportunity to practice speaking English, help in getting around - and I would ask that you share your culture and your wisdom with me.   But if you decide to stay and rebuild your homeland, I hope that my donation will make a small difference.  

My prayers are with you.  

My heart aches for my brothers and sisters in Japan, prayers I can offer and a financial donation will be done through Church this Sunday.

To the people of Japan - neighbours, friends, companions on this often difficult journey of life.

As your hearts ache in the aftermath of unbelievable tragedy and as you continue to suffer incredible loss - of life, of homes, of all things dear to you - please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Canadians hold you close in heart and spirit - may this be of some comfort.

I will be making a donation through my church.

On the UCC website it says

"As part of The United Church's Emergency Response Fund, 85 percent of your donation will directly fund an emergency response in Japan. Fifteen percent will be used to support emergencies that do not receive intense media cover and response. No administration fees will be deducted from your donation."

I have asked for a clarification as to what this 15% is going towards.

God bless the people of Japan and those who are working to help in this terrible catastrophe.

To the people in Japan,

I am with you. I praise the lord for the souls that survived, and mourn for those who did not. I pray that you find lost family, a safe haven, and the silver lining in this dark cloud.

Amen

This is standard James.  It has always been attached to these things, particularly because while the UCCan can not stop dedicated gifts, it has not launched a special appeal for Japan.  One of the differences here is that we are talking about a nation that, while overwhelmed at the moment, is one of the largest economies in the world as oppoesed to Haiti for example

Hi, 

We've set up a new page specifically on the crisis in Japan and how people can respond.

http://www.united-church.ca/japan

 Aaron, the prayer, Angels Take Shape is beautiful.  Thank-you for that gift today.

Having only 85% of my gift go to the target and 15% go to some place I have no information on will make it difficult to inspire people to give. It puts a very big asterisk beside the fine print.

Rev. James Murray - do you have any idea how much of the money collected by other charities actually reaches the people most in need.   How much in administrative fees?  How much into teargas to prevent riots (I don't think that is needed in Japan)?   How much to transport and support the agencies workers?  

It seems to me that it would be unrealistic to think that every penny I donate goes to rescue, feed, cloth, shelter and provide medical care for those mose in need or to rebuilding their villages, their fishing boats, farms and small factories and helping them get back on their feet. 

RJM, the way that I have always pitched this one, is that there are countries and disasters that aren't pretty enough for the media.    Go through the news, find an item where there was a serious loss or flood which did not hit the radar during the time of the Tsunami.    These other locations don't get the massive amounts of donation.   We trust in the church and allow them to use some of the money for other areas of tragedy or loss, which aren't so attention getting, but require assistance

The people I am trying to encourage do not trust the UCC. That is why I need clear information in order to build trust.

Hi,

If you need more information on the United Churches' Emergency Response Fund you may find these two web pages helpful.

Emergency Response FAQ
http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/response/faq

How the United Church Responds to Emergencies
http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/response/how

To the people of Japan.  I cannot even begin to fathom the extent of your loss, grief, and tragedy.  In your suffering I offer prayer and thoughts. 

My prayer is that those who mourn will be comforted, those who thirst will find drink, those who hunger will be nourished, those that are lost, yet alive, will be found, those that are homeless find shelter, those that are injured find healing.

I pray that the hands and feet that are needed to offer your country and it's people the aid and assistance necessary in the coming days, weeks, months, and possibly years ahead come forth in generosity and love and understanding.

For those brave persons who are literally placing their lives on the line for the safety and security of others - peace be with you.

I pray for those who have ties to Japan, or people in Japan, that live elsewhere in the world - that they too will be supported, helped, and cared for at this time of catastrophe.

A week has passed since this tragedy struck your nation.  A week has passed as we've sat and watched television or internet newsclips of your hardship and extent of the damage and loss.  For those who face each new day, perhaps with extensive uncertainty and fear, may you find yourself held gently, tenderly, and lovingly in the center of God's love.

We Fellowship Baptists are joining our Christian brothers and sisters in praying and sending relief for the people of Japan.

http://www.fellowship.ca/qry/page.taf?id=308

I too offer my prayers to the people of Japan in this disaster...  The people whose lives have been lost becasue of the nature of the earthquake, the tsunami, and now the following earthquakes, and nuclear meltdowns. 

I believe that God does weep as these things occur, and God weeps when individuals need to know the exactitude of miniscule amounts of their funding will take.  Monies that they might be willing to give to buy themselves cups of coffee from take out venues put into disposible paper cups, but are unwilling to part with because they don't know every single penny reaches the destination of disaster.  God weeps, and I weep for that distrust, and wonder eho is the real loser in that case...

Never-the-less, I encourage and support the M & S Fund, who do support disasters known to us, and not known to us, in good works, and faith.  I encourage all I know to do the same. 

My prayers go out to the people, and others of God's creatures of Japan, and all those affected.  Prayers to all those who will be affected by these circumstances.  My prayers of peace, of quietude, love, calmness...  Amen

 The news were filled with the unexpected finding of a boy and a grandmother alive in the rubbles, yet there  was also the underlying despair of more bodies, many missing.

I offer a prayer that you will feel both the support of the world in spirit as well as in actual assistance.

May those who worry for those missing find a way to sleep.  

May those who hurt find care

May those who are responsible for infrastructure, for political decisions, for choices be able to move forward not hampered by the magnitude of the task

May those who are employed or self-employed be cared for, and may those who rely on the processes of the state for care be cared for by others while infrastructure is hampered.

so much in flux, so much pain

A whole bevvy of things:

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

--from Philippians, this bit said by Christopher Hitchens at his father's funeral.

Ourprayer.org.

CALLING ARTISTS!!!

"On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake hit Japan.
One of the four largest earthquakes in history. 

Artists from the community, joined by comic book writers and illustrators from all around the world rallied around us, Jean-David Morvan and Sylvain Runberg to form the Tsunami initiative.

We want to collect a maximum of quality drawings in order to hold a fund-raising auction on April 30th at Galerie Arludik in Paris. All the money we’ll raise will go to the earthquake’s victims. The auction will be followed by an exhibition and a book due out September 8, whose benefits will be offered to an organisation for people affected by the disaster.

Feel free to spread the word!"

--from HERE.