Archbishop Nathaniel Uematsu of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, the Anglican Church in Japan, has issued a message to the Anglican Communion following his visit to Sendai two weeks after an earthquake-triggered tsunami devastated the region, claiming more than 11,000 lives and leaving at least 16,000 people still unaccounted for. Read Episcopal News Service's March 31 story here.
Christen Mills, an Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps member from Massachusetts who is currently serving at a youth program in Nagoya--about 200 miles west of Tokyo--is safe. "We felt the earthquake slightly here but there was no damage as far as I know," she told Episcopal News Service in this March 14 story. "As for me, I am continuing my ministry here and I plan to help however the church here calls on its members to help." Mills is a postulant for ordination in the Diocese of Massachusetts, sponsored by All Saints' Church in Chelmsford.
For an update on Episcopal Relief and Development's support of relief efforts in Japan, or to make a donation, click here.
The Church of England offers this prayer:
O loving Creator, bring healing and hope to those who, at this time, grieve, suffer pain or who have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
We remember those who have died and we pray for those who mourn for them.
May we all be aware of your compassion, O God, which calms our troubled hearts and shelters our anxious souls.
May we pray with humility with our troubled and struggling brothers and sisters on earth.
May we dare to hope that through the generosity of the privileged, the destitute might glimpse hope, warmth and life again.
Through our Savior Christ who lives with us, comforts us and soothes us.
Amen.