Member Church News: Disaster, Relief and Peace

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is collaborating with ecumenical partners to support recovery efforts and assist in developing long-term response plans. The second earthquake in two weeks, registered 7.1 on the Richter Scale, causing buildings and houses to collapse, killing or trapping hundreds of people.

The National Council of Churches (NCC) is working to collect a signature for an open letter to President Trump that expressed “deep concern about tension between the United States and North Korea” Read the full letter and sign click here.

Reformed churches in Argentina coordinate to aid relief for Mexico and Puerto Rico following the disasters of two earthquakes and hurricanes. The Methodists also are mobilizing support for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Countries. With the passing of the storm, Hurricane Maria left Puerto Rico with severe damage to homes, power lines and widespread flooding. The governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rossello, said that Maria is “the most devastating storm that has struck the island this century, if not in modern history.

The Church of Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to set more ambitious targets in its climate change plans. The action came in responding to the Scottish government’s proposed climate change bill, which sets out how Scotland should go about reducing carbon pollution, the Church urged moving toward a goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions.

World Week of Peace in Israel and Palestine inspired gatherings for prayer, reflection and action last week.

Presbyterians for Earth Care meet with Native Americans in the northwest in a two day meeting learning how the USA industry has dramatically impacted the native rights.