Wednesday, October 31, 2012

A message from Bishop Devadhar regarding the storm

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am sure that these last few days have bought moments of anxiety, concern, pain, and sorrow as you have watched “post-tropical” superstorm Sandy make its way through many parts of the Eastern seaboard and other places affecting the lives of countless numbers of people.

There were different effects in different areas of the New England Conference. Loss of electricity has been widespread, and many areas have yet to have power restored. To date only a few reports of damage to New England Annual Conference churches have been received. Most local church damage has been related to the intense winds (a toppled steeple, a tree falling on a sanctuary) and has not been catastrophic.

I am calling upon all of us to continue to be in prayer with those in Southern New England and in the mid-Atlantic region where damage in some areas has been devastating. Parts of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey report significant damage and a number of deaths and injuries. Areas in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the Mid-West continue to feel the power of this storm.

In the same way that the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) responded and provided financial assistance in a number of disasters in New England in recent years, they are here for us again. May we encourage you to be in prayer for the important ministry they are doing to reach out to the victims of Sandy and other disasters and kindly continue to support their ministries through your generous financial support. If you want to explore how to support UMCOR, kindly visit the New England Annual Conference website at www.neumc.org/hurricane.

Starting last week, we (NEAC) communicated information on disaster preparedness from UMCOR and our insurance companies, so our congregations and members could be as prepared as possible for the severe storm. We have continued to provide information for insurance and other reporting. Please do not hesitate to contact your District Superintendent or Jim McPhee or Bill Burnside at the New England Annual Conference if you need guidance or help in any matters related to the aftermath of the storm.

In moments like this and as we continue to raise all kinds of existential questions about why and how, may we offer our prayers to our Creator God, using the words of the Psalmist, who said, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult." (Psalm 46:1-3).

May the words of the Psalmist offer hope to all who are affected by this storm in one way or another. May all the efforts of God's children everywhere, reaching out to those who need help, be blessed by our Creator God as we carry out our own ministries with the compassion of Christ and with the real peace and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

May this be the time, not only to pray for all the children of God who have been affected by Sandy, but also to place the words of our prayers in action through our Christian witness and outreach by our acts of mercy and kindness.

With prayers and love,
Bishop Suda Devadhar