wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] PC(USA) urges prayer for Iraq

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Note #7631 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

PC(USA) urges prayer for Iraq
03150
March 20, 2003

PC(USA) urges prayer for Iraq

Disaster officials seek contributions for humanitarian aid

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - As U.S.-led military forces struck Baghdad Thursday, the
Presbyterian Church (USA) urged members to pray for Iraqi Christians and
civilians and combatants on both sides.
	
As the "Covenant of Prayer" project was launched, church members were
expressing a desire to communicate with their Christian counterparts in Iraq,
which PC(USA) officials fear could become increasingly difficult or
impossible as the fighting continues.
	
"Prayer is the one thing that can transcend our human boundaries," said the
Rev. Marian McClure, director of the Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD). "We
are encouraging church members to pray for God's mercy and grace for all of
us, individually or in groups, every day at 8 p.m. Baghdad time (noon EST)." 
	
The call to daily noon-time prayer was issued by the denomination's Iraq work
team, which includes staff members of WMD's Middle East Office, the
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and
others from the national staff of the PC(USA). 
	
PDA officials have sent $230,000, from designated gifts and the One Great
Hour of Sharing offering to the Middle East to be used for relief supplies
and transportation of critical personnel to Iraq and neighboring countries
such as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, which are expecting waves of
refugees from the fighting.
	
PDA channels its humanitarian and emergency-response funds through Action by
Churches Together (ACT), an ecumenical alliance of churches and agencies
affiliated with the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World
Federation. ACT is headquartered in Geneva.
	
PDA has issued an appeal for contributions for additional relief supplies.
Information is being mailed to all PC(USA) congregations and should be in the
churches early next week. 
	
The Rev. Victor E. Makari, the PC(USA)'s coordinator for the Middle East and
Europe, on March 19 sent an email expressing the church's support to
Presbyterian pastors, elders, lay leaders and congregations in Iraq. 
	
"At this time of conflict between the governments of our country and yours,"
Makari wrote, "we want to reach out to you and to other Christians in Iraq
with the love of Jesus Christ in whom 'we are joined and knit together.' "
	
	
* For Presbyterian war-related resources, visit www.pcusa.org/Iraq. 
	
*  Financial contributions to PDA may be made through Presbyterian
congregations or mailed to the Presbyterian Center's Central Receiving
Service, Section 300, Louisville, KY 40289. Refer to designated account
#9-2000082-Iraq. To make a donation by credit card, call PresbyTel at
1-800-872-3283, or visit PDA's secure Web site at
www.pcusa.org/pda/response/iraq/iraq-appeal.htm.

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