British Methodists support disaster victims in Indonesia, Samoa and Tonga

An appeal for prayer and funds for victims of the tsunami and earthquake tragedies has been launched by the Methodist Church in Britain.

The Church’s World Mission Fund has already sent £15,000 to aid the relief work of Partner Churches in the region.

We want to be able to send more but we need your help. You can donate online to the appeal or send cheques made payable to the World Mission Fund to Dave Bennett, Fundraising Coordinator, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR. Postal donations should include a note saying ‘Pacific Appeal’.

Samoa
In 5 minutes, the tsunami claimed at least 140 lives in Samoa, many of them children. One couple lost all four of their children and there are eight babies being cared for in the local hospital who are motherless. With many people losing multiple members of their families, their support networks in times of grief and crisis have also been shattered as everyone on such a small island is connected in some way.

Five Methodist churches in the area were destroyed.  Ministers, their families and their many of their congregations are not only homeless, but churchless too. However this did not stop them having worship in their tents on the first Sunday after the disaster struck.

The main concern now is the health of those who have survived.  Because they are camping out, clean water and sanitary issues are major problems and the health services are preparing for illnesses and diseases that will follow. The priority is to try and build some temporary homes along with sanitary facilities.

The Samoan Church has specifically asked us to help them rebuild their churches and homes for their ministers.

Steve Pearce, partnership coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, said, “It is clear that the Church will be heavily involved in the recovery both spiritually and pastorally in the weeks to come.”

Tonga
A state of emergency was declared in Tonga for Niuatoputapu, the closest island to Samoa with a population of around 1,000 people. The islanders of Niuatoputapu have been badly hit by the tsunamis and earthquakes which have rocked the area. Food, clothing and kitchen utensils have been sent and the general secretary of the Free Wesleyan Church in Tonga has travelled to the area to make an assessment of the situation.

Indonesia
In Indonesia, the main centre of the earthquake damage has been in Padang on the island of Sumatera. Shocks were felt over a great distance and the damage and loss of life has been frightening.

Steve continued, “We have heard news that the only Methodist church in Padang is completely destroyed. The cost of rebuilding is at least £14,000. Can British Methodist Churches raise this? We have sent an initial solidarity grant and will respond further to our Partner Church as their need becomes clearer. I have assured the church and its members of our prayers and support.”


Members of the Churches have thanked the Methodist people in Britain for their support. In an email one said, “It is so good to know that so far, far away, people and friends are thinking and praying for you … All we ask is that you continue to pray for us. Thank you and God bless you.”

Further information is on the Methodist Church website, including a prayer suitable for use in church services.

Fiji update

On 24 September nine leaders from the Methodist Church in Fiji returned to court in order to negotiate their bail conditions and seek greater religious freedom for their Church.

When they arrived they were informed that the director of public prosecutions is away and that they should return to court on 27 October.

The leaders, including the Church’s president, the Revd Ame Tugaue, and general secretary, the Revd Tuikilakila Waqairatu, originally appeared in court in August, pleading not guilty to charges of breaching public emergency regulations. They were released on bail, but prohibited from attending Church meetings, preaching or leading worship.

The Church, which includes more than a third of the population, has been outspoken in its criticism of Fiji’s military government, which is lead by Commodore Bainimarama. Bainimarama originally promised to return the country to democratic rule by April 2009, but is now saying this will not happen until 2014.

Steve Pearce, partnership coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, said, "Our communications with the Church in Fiji are being monitored and all Church activities and meetings are being scrutinised by government officials. This is intimidation and we applaud the Church in Fiji for its continuing attempts at dialogue rather than confrontation. The Methodist Church is the only faith group in Fiji to receive this treatment, but it remains committed to playing its necessary role in building a renewed and just society in Fiji.”