JourneyOnline
IN MID March the Uniting Church in Australia launched an emergency appeal in response to the devastating impact of the
Japan earthquake and tsunami.
UnitingWorld, the relief and development agency of the church, will facilitate the appeal.
UnitingWorld is in contact with the leadership of the United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ), assuring them of the Uniting Church’s prayers and concern.
The UCCJ leaders have asked for the financial support of the Uniting Church in Australia to help provide food and water,
medical support, safe shelter and pastoral and counselling services.
President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Alistair Macrae, encouraged church members to support the appeal.
“Our friends in Japan are suffering through a terrible disaster,” he said.
“We can support them with our prayers and with financial contributions to UnitingWorld’s disaster appeal.
“Australians have consistently demonstrated compassion for those aff ected by the destructive forces of nature, in the Victorian bushfires, the Queensland and Victorian floods and the earthquake in Christchurch.
“We have an opportunity to express that compassion again for communities recovering from the impact of a ruptured earth
and inundated land and now with fears of radio-activity.”
Kerry Enright, UnitingWorld National Director said, “Our partner, the United Church of Christ in Japan, has facilities that survived the devastation and which sit amid affected communities.
“These facilities will be centres of care, providing clean water, distributing necessities and offering shelter and pastoral
support.
“The United Church has a remarkable history and is one of Japan’s strongest churches.
“We can support them as they minister to people in great need.”
Donations can be made to UnitingWorld online by clicking here, via phone on 1800 998 122, or by mail to PO
Box A2266 Sydney South 1235.
The appeal is also registered at http://japanearthquakeappeal.gofundraise.com.au for online fundraising.
Japan is a developed country and at present UnitingWorld is unable to off er tax deductions Japan quake and tsunami appeal for emergency assistance to developed countries but have applied for tax deductibility for this appeal.
Photo : Otsuchi, Iwate prefecture, Japan on 17 March 2011. Photo by Kiyomu Tomita
