wfn.org | COUNCIL OF BISHOPS ISSUES CALL FOR PRAYER

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

It is a time of national grief and sorrow. It is also a time for gathering,
for strength and for prayer. Our hearts are open to all those who have been
personally affected by this national tragedy. United Methodist Churches will
be holding prayer vigils throughout the world tonight and tomorrow night. We
invite you to join us in praying for wisdom, comfort and healing in this
difficult time.

The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is calling on all
churches and members throughout the world to participate in a prayer vigil
tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 11, and Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Please take initiative to organize this vigil in cooperation with your
church members.   

This is a time to put into action what we know in our hearts and what we are
striving to commit to be reality -- that our hearts, our minds and our doors
are TRULY open.  

In addition to prayers, we ask that: 
*  contributions be made for disaster relief through your local church to
United Methodist Committee on Relief (Designate your contributions to
"Domestic Disasters." )
*  blood be donated through your local blood bank.  

United Methodist Communications, at the request of the Council of Bishops,
has also changed the message of our national television commercials which
invite persons to our local churches for prayers vigils tonight and tomorrow
night. 

PLEASE DON'T REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL -- WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE
VOLUME OF RESPONSES.  SIMPLY PASS ALONG THE NEWS AND CHECK YOUR E-MAIL FOR
MORE DETAILS TO COME.  

ALSO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL NEWS MEDIA TO HELP NOTIFY YOUR CHURCH MEMBERS AND
THE COMMUNITY OF THIS VIGIL TO OCCUR TONIGHT.  

May God be with us all during this time.

Council of Bishops
Bishop Elias Galvan, Seattle  Area, president