A note from Keith
10 September 2010
Dear Friends,
After a long period of waiting to hear who will govern our country - and the responsibility for the decision in the hands of a small number of independents - we have received the news that we will have a continuing or new Labor Government. A number of imponderables remain: Will this mean more of the same? What will the partnership with the Greens mean?… and particularly… what will be the impact on social values and the upholding of the place of the family in Australian life? We shall wait and see. What is certain is that we need to pray for those who will have the responsibility of leading us into the future. I know you will join me in that concern.
During this period of waiting, much has been happening in our world. We have seen the destructive consequences of earthquakes in New Zealand, thankfully without loss of life; the terrible flooding in Victoria; the aftermath of the landslide in north-west China; and, worst of all, the flooding in Pakistan. If you had Googled Pakistan during the last two or three weeks, the sad thing is you would have picked up a story about the cricket betting fiasco. The lead story about that nation ought to have been reports of the worst floods in the region for more than 80 years - leaving more than 1,600 people dead and, most significantly, affecting over 14 million residents. It is feared that the number of casualties and homeless will rise as rescuers reach hard-to-access areas.
We have seen the devastating effects of our changing weather patterns across the world. Heavy rainfall has also continued to hamper humanitarian work, while there are also concerns about the limited supply of clean water which could in itself fuel the spread of disease.
Much of the Christian church's response to this crisis is being channelled through its partner, Action by Churches Together International, which is providing mobile health clinics, food and temporary shelter. Throughout our congregations on Sunday, September 12, we are taking a retiring offering to express our solidarity with those who are suffering.
We can clearly respond in practical ways. We certainly want to pray for the people of that country and I would join my voice with those who will be lobbying governments and international institutions to bring about an immediate freeze on Pakistan's debt repayments, as floodwaters continue to cause devastation. In the midst of all our global concerns for our world economy, countries like Pakistan can be overwhelmed by debt repayments at a time of human tragedy. As the community of Jesus Christ, we stand with fellow human beings in their pain.
Warmly yours
As Superintendent and Friend,
Rev Keith V Garner
Superintendent
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