wfn.org | Presbyterian disaster-aid teams put on alert

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>]

Note #6831 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

11-September-2001
01314

Presbyterian disaster-aid teams put on alert

by Evan Silverstein and Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE - Officials of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) - who were
in Santa Fe, N.M. at an ecumenical meeting the Church World Service (CWS)
Emergency Office - put response-team members on standby Tuesday afternoon
while they assess the aftereffects of the terrorist attacks in New York and
Washington, D.C., which killed or wounded thousands of Americans.

The meeting of the CWS, the disaster and development agency of the National
Council of Churches, included disaster-response representatives from all
major denominations in the United States, including the PC(USA).

"In light of the enormity of this crisis, a joint coordinated response for
pastoral care among the denominations is being planned," PDA said in a
release from its Louisville office. "In this time of national chaos, we are
asking members of PDAT (the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team) to be on
alert to respond as needed in New York, Washington and any other area where
a pastoral presence is required."

The swiftness of a response will hinge on decisions made by disaster
officials in Santa Fe and on the feasibility of travel to the impacted
areas, as flights were canceled Tuesday at all major airports across the
nation.

"We're asking our team members to be on standby, and should flights be
allowed to go, they will be able to go to the effected areas," said PDA
staff member Pamela Burdine. "Of course, at this time they're talking about
other possible cities that may be targets, so we're just asking people to be
on standby and ready to respond if needed."

PDA will accept donations to the Disaster USA designated account to help
facilitate the mobilization of pastoral care teams, the release said.

An urgent note alerting PC(USA) church partners and personnel in Europe of
the disaster was issued by the denomination's Coordinator for Europe, the
Rev. Duncan Hanson. He urged those in Europe to "avoid large gatherings of
expatriates ... and keep a reasonable distance from luxury hotels, US and
NATO military bases and embassies and other potential targets."

Hanson asked for prayers for those killed and injured in the tragedy and for
prayers that God will allow the United States and the United Nations to
"respond to this provocation with wisdom and proportion."

PresbyNet, the PC(USA)'s computer communication and electronic conferencing
system, has started a meeting called "Sept 11 Attacks," to enable
Presbyterians and others to share concerns and exchange reflections. A live
chat called "Sept 11 Prayer Vigil," for prayers of comfort and support, is
planned. The PresbyNet login is accessible from the denomination's homepage
at www.pcusa.org.

Communications officials in Louisville announced Thursday afternoon that a
special page on the crisis and the church's response to it has been set up.
News, worship resources and ideas on how Presbyterians can help with the
PC(USA) response to the tragedy are available at www.pcusa.org/crisis.

General Assembly moderator Jack Rogers, stated clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick and
General Assembly Council executive director issued a pastoral letter to the
church Tuesday afternoon. The complete text:

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We write to you in the midst of the shock and pain of the unspeakable
tragedies that have unfolded in the United States on this day, September 11,
2001. At this writing, we do not know all of the details, although there is
confirmation of massive loss of life and terrible destruction of property in
Washington, DC, New York, and Pennsylvania. The three of us have been
brought to our knees in prayer to God for all who are victims of this day of
violence.

First of all, our hearts go out to all who have lost loved ones and friends.
We know that the deep shock and grief we feel on behalf of all who have
perished is multiplied many fold for those whose lives have been touched
directly. May the Spirit of God be present as you deal with the loss of
loved ones or struggle to find ways to comfort friends and colleagues who
have suffered such loss.

We also know that many of us grieve on behalf of our nation. We pray for our
national leaders who have faced horrendous decisions as the events of this
morning unfolded. As they seek to find effective and appropriate responses
to this terror, it is our prayer that these responses may be of the kind
that will contribute to a future of peace and not serve in any way to
escalate the cycle of violence and counter?violence to a higher level.
Further, we call our leaders and all people of good will to resist the
stereotyping of enemies that so often occurs in these types of situations.

Followers of Jesus Christ should not be surprised by evidence of the real,
calculating presence of evil in the world or the power that sin can have in
all our lives. Moreover, even on this day of weeping and anger, we are
commanded by our Lord to discover paths of forgiveness for those who
perpetrate evil against us. That may well include an effort on our part to
understand the pain, frustration and sense of powerlessness that has led
them to acts of violence and to ask God to change their hearts of hatred to
hearts of love.

Finally, as we all face the fragility of our lives, and seek healing for our
nation's grief, let us lift up the Church of Jesus Christ and the Gospel
that it is our privilege to proclaim. There is no earthly power, be it the
power of wealth, the power of the military, or the power of political will,
that can save us and undergird us in the face of the events of this day. It
is only in the power of the Triune God, made known in Jesus Christ our
Savior, and revealed in the power of the Holy Spirit, that we can find hope
for ourselves, our grieving nation, and our broken world.

Let us together join in prayer and action. We urge all Presbyterians to join
in prayers with us for our nation and our world. Also, the need for blood is
urgent and massive. We urge all Presbyterians who are able to donate blood
to your local blood bank and to organize a blood drive at your church.

Let us together bear witness to our confidence in God's redemptive power,
through the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us with renewed
energy offer to our nation and to the world that word of hope and peace that
we have received and boldly declare.

In the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ,

Rev. Jack Rogers, Moderator, 213th General Assembly
Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly		
Elder John Detterick, Executive Director,General Assembly Council
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