wfn.org | New York City Presbyterian leaders thank church for support

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

Note #6894 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

10-October-2001
01377

New York City Presbyterian leaders thank church for support

Prayers, financial assistance still needed

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE - The leaders of New York City Presbytery have sent an open
letter to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), thanking Presbyterians for their
spiritual and material support since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

	The letter - signed by moderator Dee Evelyn Matthews, stated clerk the Rev.
Jan Owen and interim executive presbyter the Rev. James Foster Reese - also
reports a Sept. 29 action of the presbytery praying that those responsible
for the attacks will be brought to justice without any more innocent people
losing their lives.

	Financial support for relief work in New York is still needed. To
contribute to the relief effort, make a check payable to the Presbyterian
Church (USA), mark it "Account 9-2000157: Pastoral Care Work" and give it to
your local church or mail it to Central Receiving Services, Section 300,
Louisville, KY 40289. To make a credit card donation, log on to the
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance web site at www.pcusa.org/pda or call
PresbyTel at 1-800-872-3283.

	The full text of the letter:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

	We, in the Presbytery of New York City, have been touched by the way you
have reached out to us with prayers, phone calls, letters, as well as with
practical and financial help during these agonizing days of grief and
uncertainty.  During this time, we are grateful that we are able to join
with you through God's Spirit in prayer and through Christ's fellowship in
the Church.

	We continue to mourn our losses and struggle to rebuild our lives.  A
number of Presbytery church members were killed in the tragedy, and many
more have lost relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  Some have lost
their jobs and homes.  Many of us witnessed the destruction first-hand and
grapple with memories of terror and suffering.

	Thankfully, none of our churches were damaged and we have been able to keep
our doors open for services of prayer and mourning.  On Sundays our churches
have been full of both members and neighbors seeking God's comfort and
guidance.  Many of us, including clergy, have participated in services of
prayer and healing with New Yorkers who are Christian, Muslim and Jewish.

	We voted as a Presbytery on September 29th to adopt a resolution of prayer
that those responsible for the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history be
held accountable without the loss of more innocent lives.  We also urged
that all leaders in our nation refrain from suggesting that God ordains
violence against any persons as punishment for the diversity that comprises
the city and country we love.  We ask that you join with us in reflecting
upon the God we know through Jesus Christ:  a God who calls all of us to
repentance, who loves us and suffers with us, and whose heart breaks when
innocent people suffer anywhere.

	We are particularly grateful during this time for the Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance Office in Louisville, which can be reached at 1-888-728-7288,
ext. 5839.  They can receive donations for our relief efforts.  We are
thankful that the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick has paid us a pastoral visit on
behalf of the General Assembly and the whole Church.  Above all we are
thankful for your prayers.

	We thank God for your love and support.  God bless you.  This has been an
experience which affirms the connectional church.

In Christ's hope for us and love for the world,

Elder Dee Evelyn Matthews, Moderator
The Rev. Jan G. Owen, Stated Clerk
The Rev. James Foster Reese, Executive Presbyter
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