From the Office of the Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches
For Immediate Release: 01 March 2010
Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches
Calls for Vigilant Prayer
in the Aftermath of Chilean Earthquake
In the early morning hours of Saturday, February 27th, the people of Chile suffered what experts are saying was the 5th largest earthquake the world has known since 1900. It comes just a month after the devastation in Haiti, and was followed by an earthquake of smaller magnitude in Argentina, which took the life of an 8-year-old boy.
I am in contact with The Rev. Hector Gutierrez, our program coordinator for South America and he has been in communication with his contacts in Chile and they report, "We are ok and there are no deaths in our close circle of friends and their families". Though little information is available at this time, we know that at least 700 people in the areas surrounding the epicenter of the earthquake have died and that as many as 1.5 million have been left homeless. At least two dozen aftershocks of significant force have been reported.
The quake also triggererd tsunami waves in the Pacific. Thankfully, the islands of Hawaii appear to have been spared destruction, and the alerts for Japan and the Philippines cancelled.
Today, I am asking all MCCers and people of faith to join me in praying for our brothers and sisters in Chile, especially the members, families and friends of Nuevo Espiritu ICM in Santiago and Grupo Cafarnaum in Concepcion.
The Chilean Red Cross is handling disaster relief, and at this time believes it has the resources to care for people in need. Should that change, I will share with you how MCCers can provide further assistance.
For now, I ask that you pray with me for those who have died and their loved ones who survive, for those left homeless and in shock, and for the healing of the earth.
We know that losses could have been much more severe, and give thanks for the modern building codes of the Chilean government that helped prevent the kind of devastation we saw in Haiti. --- I ask you to join me in praying for the day when housing for all God's children will be as safe to withstand disaster as humanly possible.
We are a people of strong faith and conviction, and we know that in all suffering and disaster God is working for restoration and healing. May our prayers be joined to that good and saving work.
Grace and Peace,
//signed//
The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
This statement prepared in conjuction with The Global Justice Team of Metropolitan Community Churches, The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair.
