Assembly launches Christchurch earthquake appeal

Assembly launches Christchurch earthquake appeal

The Assembly of the Uniting Church has launched a New Zealand Earthquake 2011 Appeal.

With over 100 people dead and hundreds still missing, Assembly General Secretary Terence Corkin said, “We are all shocked by the images we are receiving in the media from Christchurch New Zealand.”

He said church members could assist those people affected by the earthquake by making donations here.

All donations will be forwarded promptly to New Zealand partner churches, which will distribute funds through the Methodist City Mission and the Christchurch Presbytery.

While the position on tax deductibility was not certain and it was not possible to issue a tax deductible receipt, Mr Corkin said an acknowledgment would be issued.

People can make a secure online donation or a donation via credit card by phoning 1800 668 426.

The attached individual giving or congregational giving forms will be particularly useful in promoting the Uniting Church New Zealand Earthquake Appeal to those without email or web access.

News from partner churches

The Uniting Church in Australia is working closely with its partner churches in New Zealand:

the Presbyterian Church of Aoteroa New Zealand (see also news ); and

the Methodist Church of New Zealand.

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand reports:

As far as ministers and church members are concerned, we have not received any reports of serious injury or death. However some homes, including manses, have been badly damaged.

In terms of Presbyterian Church buildings, we have reports that Knox, St Giles and St George’s Iona have been badly damaged. St Paul’s Trinity Pacific has received further and severe damage – but thankfully the workers repairing previous damage were all outside the building having lunch at the time of the most severe earthquake and so avoided the collapse of masonry which would have almost certainly caused injury or death.

Methodist Church of New Zealand reports:

All office staff were safely evacuated with only minor injuries. Most of the Churches damaged in the previous earthquake have sustained further damage, the Durham St Church has completely collapsed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who are still searching for the lost and those grieving for the deceased.

Christchurch Methodist Mission, one of the largest social service agencies in the city, is based right in the central business district, which is most affected.

We do not know if staff or volunteers there yesterday have been killed or injured.

Every day, for close to 80 years, the Christchurch Methodist Mission has been making a difference in Christchurch and in people’s lives.

Through child and family services, emergency food relief, social housing, group programmes and elder-care services, Christchurch Methodist Mission reaches a broad base of diverse residents facing multiple challenges.

Christchurch Methodist Mission has about 3,000 clients using our community services each year and provide more than 56,000 bed nights each year in our social housing and elder-care services. Every day, more than 200 people are receiving one of Christchurch Methodist Mission services.

Christchurch Methodist Mission provide 28 different services and programs which support people at every age – “from the cradle to the grave”.

Donations and inquiries

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Methodist Church of New Zealand, Christchurch Methodist Mission and the people of Christchurch need your help now.

Please direct donations and inquiries to:

SHARE – UCA New Zealand Appeal
GPO Box 4355
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Telephone: 1800 668 426
Email: appeals@victas.uca.org.au