Methodist Church of New Zealand Earthquake Update No 2 from The General Secretary 1 st March 2011 Sunday in Christchurch saw congregations gather for worship. Some sharing undamaged buildings, some in carparks, at least one met on the beach. President Desmond Cooper and Vice President Susanne Spindler met with the combined Hornby- Riccarton and Durham St congregations which gathered at Upper Riccarton. Presbyter Marcia Hardie reflected on Isaiah 49: 8-16a, reminding us that at all times we are remembered by a God of love, who has our names engraved on his hands. It was also a time to grieve the death of the congregations organist, Paul Dunlop. Driving across the city there are signs of recovery. Trailers carrying belongings hurriedly removed from damaged buildings, piles of sandy mud at roads edge awaiting collection, more normal lines of cars at petrol stations. There are also those who are still waiting. Thousands of homes without electricity. These people will not have seen any of the 100 s of hours of television and the dramatic images. Sixty two thousand homes are estimated not to have water. Lots and lots of people have alternative toilets the hole in the garden. For nearly everyone it takes more time to carry out normal tasks. Please be aware of this when seeking responses from any businesses or services based in Christchurch. There is stress and uncertainty in the air, balanced and outweighed by the out pouring of generosity and care. On Saturday we made an attempt to remove the server from Morley House. We were able to get as far as Latimer Square where our route was blocked by the tent village set up for the Urban Search and Rescue teams. This international community of experts is conducting the risky and painstaking search of the city for survivors and victims. Plan B to resume the work of the Connexional Office is now in train. We have retrieved the backups of our computer system and will be acquiring computers to run this. If we cannot find a suitable building we will work from our homes. We had a staff meeting by tele- conference yesterday to get underway. The hope is to have our services running, to some extent at least by next Monday. In the meantime we have made arrangements to pay wages and stipends and urgent accounts. If you are experiencing difficulty please contact me at d.bush@netaccess.co.nz or Peter van Hout at peter@vanhout.co.nz I can report that the staff at the Connexional Office were pleased to be able to share with one another and are in remarkably good spirits. There is also grief as two of our staff have friends or family among the missing or dead.
One member of our Methodist family who is very involved in the recovery effort is Armed Forces Chaplain Rev Tavake Manu. Tavake is chaplain at Burnham Military Camp where the temporary morgue has been set up and the base for over 1000 personnel. We have also been in the media. The report below is from One News. http://tvnz.co.nz/national- news/churches- reach- quake- affected- 4041329/video?vid=4041594 Churches are trying to do all they can to help those affected by the Christchurch earthquake, holding services around the devastated city. Reverend Alan Webster told ONE News that it's at these times that people often lose faith - but they're working hard to band people together. "You see your house being smashed and everything seems disastrous, and then you discover your friends are OK and suddenly your house doesn't seem important," Webster said. Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says while the rescue and restoration efforts continue around the clock, today will also afford some sombre reflection. The people of Christchurch have been overwhelmed and humbled by the offers of practical help and support since the devastating earthquake, he said. "And as our citizens make their way to church this Sunday they will be joined in prayer by millions around the world." Parker says it has not been possible to arrange a formal civic service. "Clearly those sorts of things will occur. But for now we are truly comforted by the thoughts and prayers of so many," he said. Prime Minister John Key is calling for all New Zealanders to observe a minutes silence at 12.51pm on Tuesday. This will mark exactly one week since the 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch killing 145 people. Westminster Cathedral in London will hold a special vigil on March 2 to bring together the London based New Zealand community. Around 1500 New Zealanders are expected to attend the 7pm vigil. Earthquake appeal The President has launched an appeal for those affected by the earthquake. Donations can be sent to Methodist Church of New Zealand, P O Box 931, Christchurch 8140 or Direct Credited to Presidents Earthquake Appeal account number 02-0800- 0766004-03 We also acknowledge the generosity of the British Methodist Church who have given 20,000 to the earthquake appeal. Finally a reminder that any methodist.org.nz e- mail address is not working at present. Please use our home e- mails. The phone numbers at the Connexional office are also not operational. Contact details: David Bush General Secretary 03 383 3844 or 021 392 500 and e- mails to my home address d.bush@netaccess.co.nz Peter Van Hout 03 326 7522 [especially for financial matters] e- mail peter@vanhout.co.nz
Greg Wright 03 313 8162 or 021 337890 [ especially for Insurance and MTA matters ] e- mail gawright@slingshot.co.nz Thank you for your messages of support and your parayers and practical goodwill. It is very much appreciated. Thank you too to Nicola Grundy and others for continuing to spread the updates around the church and the world. Updates, prayer resources, messages of support and other resources are posted as they become available at http://missionresourcingcentre.blogspot.com/search/label/christchurch%20earthquake and http://www.facebook.com/pages/mission- Resourcing/116633641739219. If you are on Facebook and want to receive these as they are posted, please click the like link at the top of the page.
On Sunday people all around New Zealand prayed for the people of Christchurch. The photograph below is of the Communion Table at Red Beach where Val Nicholls conducted the annual Covenant Service
Greetings continue to pour in from around the World. The letter below is from the Free Wesleyan Church in Tonga. METHODIST CHURCH IN TONGA (FREE WESLEYAN CHURCH OF TONGA) P.O.Box 57 Nuku alofa, Tonga President: Rev Dr. Finau Pa ila Ahio Secretary: Rev Dr. Tevita K. Havea Phone: (676) 23432, 23522 Cables: Wesleyan Facsimile: (676) 24020 Emails: ahio@fwc.to tkhavea@fwc.to The Methodist Church of New Zealand, Connexional Office 24 February 2011 To Whom It May Concern:: Prayers for the Victims in Christchurch We have heard news of the devastations of the land, the lives and properties and of course the dignity of the people in Christchurch caused by the recent earthquake. We deplore the tragic situation and especially the lost of lives, and being saddened by the lost of lives, we will also be mindful of the saving act of God at the same time and that more lives were saved than of those lost. Thus, we will sympathize with the lost and we will also be thankful for an act o grace by saving the rest of the people who should have also perished. We will remember you in our prayers as you try to come to terms with your current difficult times and situation and especially your countries hope of rehabilitation. We do also hope that you continue to be hopeful in your times of despair knowing very well that God is with us and at all times and especially in our times of sorrow and troubles. May God bless you all. Yours sincerely, Tevita K. Havea GENERAL SECRETARY Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga