14 March 2011 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Japan – Our hearts bleed in unspeakable sorrow for the calamity that befell Japan recently, claiming lives and properties in one quick swoop. The potential meltdown of nuclear reactors like a black mantle descending upon strikes fear in our hearts. And all we can do is trust that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains
shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains
tremble with its tumult. (Psalms 46.1-3, NRSV) Getting down our knees in earnest prayer is what we can do for the people of Japan right now. The entire CCA family is praying with you, and walking with you in this dark moment. We are coordinating with the National Christian Council in Japan (NCC Japan) in responding to the situation as one Body of Christ. As a gesture of solidarity CCA will send a small amount of USD 10.000 from the CCA Emergency Fund to immediately support the emergency response of NCC Japan, and accompany it with continuing prayers for the work of the churches in helping those in distress. Sisters and brothers in the CCA member churches and councils, I take this opportunity to appeal to you to support the churches and people in Japan in this time of difficulty, through your prayers and financial support. Intended to respond in the quickest way to emergency needs that arise, this is our small way of expressing our unity as an ecumenical family. We were advised by the NCC Japan that in order to minimize the currency exchange fee (which is USD 70 no matter what amount involves), it will be better if contributions from CCA members that has not been sent directly to Japan, be sent via CCA Emergency Fund. We will collect them and send them to NCC Japan acknowledging your contributions. The following is the bank details re CCA Emergency Fund: Account Name: Christian Conference of Asia
Bank: Hang Seng Bank
Branch: Hankow Road (4 Hankow Road Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China)
Account No.: 295 - 4 – 7095
Account Type: Multi-Currencies Account
Swift Code: HASEHKHH You may want to send your letters of solidarity and support to Japan through the Rev. Hiroko Ueda, NCC Japan Interim Acting General Secretary (ueda@ncc-j.org). We are terrified and are grieving, but God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.
Sincerely yours in Christ, HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
General Secretary cc.: CCA Member Churches and Councils
Members of the CCA General Committee
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