Japan Prayer Service liturgy offered for use by congregations.

Here is a copy of the liturgy for the Prayer Service yesterday, March 18,  at the Episcopal Church Center in New York. It was a very well attended service and many said it was a very moving, solemn and powerful service. You may freely use or adapt this service as our gift. We encourage you to organize Prayer Services like this for Japan and for other countries which suffer calamity.

The Rev. Dr. Winfred B. Vergara
Missioner for Asiamerican Minsitries
of The Episcopal Church

www.episcopalchurch.org/asian.htm

PRAYER SERVICE FOR JAPAN

In the aftermath of the recent
Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

and the danger of nuclear meltdown

Friday, March 18, 2011 – 4:00 P.M.

The Chapel of Christ the Lord at

The Episcopal Church Center

815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Prelude  - Samuel Cheung

Opening Hymn # 390: “Praise to the Lord...”

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near;
praise him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,

shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
granted in what he ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee; surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
if with his love he befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,

who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
sheddeth his light, chaseth the horrors of night,
saints with his mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him; Let the amen sound from his people again,
gladly for all we adore him.

Words: Joachim Neander (1650-1680), 1680
trans. Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), 1863; .Music: Lobe den Herren (also known as Praxis pietatis) (Stralsung Gesangbuch, 1665)

Welcome & Call to Prayer – Fred Vergara

On March11, 2011 the great earthquake rocked Japan; it was followed by a horrific tsunami. The death toll and the extent of damage from this calamity defies our imagination. Thousands of lives were lost; thousands more missing; and there is fear of danger from radiation from nuclear reactors.

In the midst of death and destruction that we see in the world, let us be reminded that there are values that endure: family, friendship and faith. We gather today as family, as friends and as faith-community, who believe in divine intervention. God says in II Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray; and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I shall hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”

Today, let us pray for the healing of the land and people of Japan and for the blessings of peace in our world.

Prayer in Japanese – Kyoko Toyama

First Reading: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11 – Kumiko Bueller

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and time to build, a time to weep and time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time, He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (The Word of the Lord)

People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 23: “The Lord is My Shepherd” - ALL

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want

He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff---they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord, my whole life long.

2^nd Reading: Romans 8:18-25 – Christina Hing

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now, and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope, we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is not seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.

 (The word of the Lord)

People: Thanks be to God.

Sharing: Brief Personal Stories, News clips, Word from ERD

Kyokomary Kageyama, Kirsten Laursen Muth

Written Messages from:

The Archbishop of Canterbury – to be read by David Copley

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church – by John Colon

The Archbishop of Nippon Sei Ko Kai – by Peter Ng

Hymn: “Servant Song”

Brother, sister let me serve you; let me be as Christ to you; Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.

We are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road We are here to help each other, walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you, in the nighttime of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh I’ll laugh with you; I will share your joy and sorrow till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony, Born of all we’ve known together in Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, sister, let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.

(Maranatha Music; Scripture in Song, c. 1986)

A LITANY OF HEALING  - Linda Watt

LEADER: Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers (Prayer needs or names of people, places and events will be announced)

LEADER: God of our Faith, you made the world and everything in it; you formed us in your own image and given us the breath of life;

PEOPLE: We praise and thank you, Lord.

L: God of our Hope, you come that we may have life and have it more abundantly; your will for us is health, healing and salvation;

P: We praise and thank you, Lord.

L: God of Love, you make our bodies the temple of your Holy Spirit; in you we live and move and have our being;

PEOPLE: We praise and thank you, Lord.

L: Merciful God, pour out your compassion upon the people of Japan who suffer from the devastation brought about by the recent earthquake and tsunami. Grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured, or disabled, that they will be made whole;

P: Hear us, O Lord of life.

L: Grant to all who died the hope of eternal rest and enable those who mourn the comfort of your loving embrace;

P: Hear us, O Lord of life.

L: Enable those who are anxious, fearful or in trouble, the knowledge of your will, awareness of your presence and the comfort of your word;

P: Hear us, O Lord of life.

L: Mend broken relationships and restore those in emotional distress to soundness of mind and calmness of spirit;

P: Hear us, O Lord of life.

L: Bless the rescuers, physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the suffering, granting them wisdom and skill, energy and strength; sympathy and patience;

P: Hear us, O Lord of life.

L: Bless the efforts of the Japanese government and the global community to find ways and means to contain and eliminate any further damage or danger to people, land, air and sea and supply them with specials skills and know-how in safety and security.

P: Hear us, O Lord of life.

L: Restore to wholeness whatever is broken in our humanity, in our lives, in our nations, and in the world and give us peace that surpasses human understanding;

P: Hear us O Lord of life.

L: Lord, You are the God who does wonders.

P: You have declared your power among the peoples.

L: With you, O Lord, is the wellness of life and in your light, we see light.

P: Hear us, O Lord of life; heal us and make us whole.

L: Everlasting God, you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice, and you have promised that where two or three are gathered in prayer, you are in their midst; fulfill now, we pray, the longings of your people. Heal the land and people of Japan, rescue those who are in danger and restore the wholeness of your creation. In the name of the One who holds all things together, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Japanese Flute Music – Shoji Mizumoto

Silence

Blessing

May the City of God be in our world; may the Reign of God be in our hearts; and may the Peace of God be in our lives;

and the blessing of God Almighty be with us all, ever more. Amen.

Closing Hymn #680 “O God Our Help in Ages Past”

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come;

Be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.

Under the shadow of thy throne, still may we dwell secure;

sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame;

from everlasting, thou art God, to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight, are like an evening gone

Short as the watch that ends the night, before the rising sun.

Time like an ever rolling stream, bears all who breathe away;

they fly forgotten as a dream, dies at the opening day.

O God our help in ages past our hope for years to come

Be thou our guide till life shall last and our eternal home.

Clergy and Lay Ministers Assisting in the Service

The Rev. Dr. Fred Vergara                 Ms. Linda Watt

The Rev. David Copley                       Ms. Kyokomary Kageyama

Mr. Peter Ng                                      Ms. Kyoko Toyama

Mr. John Colon                                 Ms. Kirsten Laursen Muth

Mr. Samuel Cheung                          Mr. Shoji Mizumoto

Ms. Kumiko Bueller                          Ms. Christina Hing

Announcement

The Episcopal Asiamerican Ministry and Partnership for Asia and the Pacific of the Episcopal Church Center and the Metropolitan Japanese Ministry of the Diocese of New York, wish to thank you all for your presence.

Thank you Angeline Cabanban and Aki Gu for the bulletin and Su Hadden and Cheryl Quinonez for the chapel arrangements.

To donate to Japan relief and to support the work of Nippon Sei Ko Kai, please send checks to Episcopal Relief and Development (ER-D) for the “Japan Earthquake Response Fund” and mail to ER-D, The Episcopal Church Center,

815 Second Avenue

, New York, NY 10017. For more information, email: er-d@er-d.org.

Candles are provided for those who wish to light one for your loved ones.

We invite you to the Welcome Lounge after the service for coffee and cookies, conversation and prayer ministry.

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A Sunday bulletin "insert" for parish use about Japan's earthquake has been prepared by Episcopal Relief and Development.

A Sunday bulletin insert for the Japan Earthquake/Tsunami has been posted online on the Episcopal Relief and Development website. 

You can download the insert here:
https://www.er-d.org/userfiles/2011JapanQuake.pdf

Please keep the people of Japan in your prayers:

"O God, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, O God, the Son, our Friend and Brother, and O God the Holy Spirit, who Leads us Into All Truth: Pour into our hearts the abundance of your mercy so that We, Your People, gathered together on this First Sunday in Lent in the Year of Our Lord, 2011, may give from our abundance, to help People in the face of so much destruction, suffering, injury, and death, during the Great Earthquake in Northeast Japan: followed by fires, and tsunamis.  We ask this, in the Name of the One who gave His Life that we might live forever: Our Savior, Friend and Brother - Christ Jesus, Our Lord.  AMEN."
(The Rev. Timothy Nakayama - Diocese of Olympia)

"Merciful God, in your hands are the caverns of the earth and the heights of the hills: our times also are in your hands. Hear our prayers for those suffering in the aftermath of earthquake, explosion, and flood in Japan; soothe those in distress; watch over those trapped and hoping for rescue; comfort the bereaved; strengthen those who labor to help others, lift up those who cannot help themselves; and in every danger be their very present help by the power of your Holy Spirit; we pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
(The Rev. Jennifer Phillips - St Augustine, Rhode Island)

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Reminder: Friday, March 18 at 4 p.m. - Prayer Service for Japan, Episcopal Church Center, NYC

Friends, Colleagues and Neighbors,

You are invited to a Prayer Service for Japan

Friday, March 18, 2011

4:00 P.M.

in the Chapel of Christ the Lord
at The Episcopal Church Center
815 Second Avenue (at 43rd Street)

New York, NY 10017

ALL ARE WELCOME

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Statement from the Archbishop of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai (The Anglican Communion in Japan) The Most Revd Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu

14 March, 2011

On the 11th of March at 2:46 pm, the biggest earthquake ever to hit Japan struck just off the coast of the Tohoku region. This caused a tsunami and fires that brought massive devastation to a very wide area. This unimaginably strong earthquake triggered an explosion at the Fukushima No.1 nuclear reactor. The people living in the area around that and the No. 2 reactor have been evacuated.

The stories and images constantly broadcast by the media have left people lost for words, unable to describe the sheer scale of the unbelievable devastation caused by the earthquake, tsunami and fires.

We see homes devastated, whole towns that were swallowed by the tsunami, and houses that continue to burn because fire fighters are unable to reach both the properties and the people who were the victims of this catastrophe.

With hearts filled with grief and helplessness we see people who are mourning their lost loved ones and others who search tirelessly for missing family members. There are so many who have lost their homes and possessions. Towns and villages were obliterated by the tsunami, everything was gone in a second.

Since the earthquake the Provincial office has worked very hard to find out about the people and the churches in Tohoku diocese. However, we could neither contact them by phone nor email.

Only yesterday were we able to start to see a picture of the devastation in the affected areas. I had been concerned that I could not contact the Bishop of Tohoku diocese [The Rt Revd John Hiromichi Kato], but on Saturday he rang me and I was able to find out more about what had happened to the churches in Sendai City.

Bp Kato explained that he himself had not been able to find out much about the other churches in the diocese of Tohoku. This was largely because neither power supplies nor telephone lines had been restored in the areas most badly hit by the tsunami. There is particular concern for two churches: Isoyama St Peter’s Church in Fukushima Prefecture and Kamaishi Shinai Church and the kindergarten in Iwate that were close to the sea. Priests have been frantically trying to confirm that their parishioners are safe.

We also know that it is not only Tohoku diocese that has been affected, some churches in Kita Kanto diocese have been reported to have been damaged also.

Sendai Christchurch (the Cathedral church) is badly damaged and yesterday, while there were still so many aftershocks, the church carried out their First Sunday after Lent service in the diocesan office.

In many affected areas there are roadblocks but as for Tohoku diocese the church is planning to establish an emergency relief centre within the diocesan building. Bishop Kato will lead the efforts to respond to the crisis.
At a Provincial level I am working to establish a structure for responding to this unprecedented natural disaster as soon as possible. This will include providing relief and sourcing volunteers and funding to help with the restoration of the affected areas. I am also trying to find more accurate information about our church family and the relief efforts, and to communicate that information as quickly as possible.

What we can do right now, however, is pray. Prayer has power. I hope and request that you pray for the people who are affected, for those who have died and for their families. Pray for the people involved with the rescue efforts, and in particular pray for Tohoku and Kita Kanto dioceses and their priests and parishioners during this time of Lent.

I am grateful for the many prayers and messages of support from throughout the world; from the Archbishop of Canterbury and from other Churches.
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MAR 18, 4 p.m. - Prayer Service for Japan at Episcopal Church Center, NYC

Friends, Colleagues and Neighbors,

You are invited to a Prayer Service for Japan on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 4:00 P.M. at the Chapel of Christ the Lord, The Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Avenue (at 43rd Street), New York, NY 10017.  ALL ARE WELCOME.

The recent earthquake, after shocks and tsunamis that hit Japan have caused much death and destruction and its aftermath continues to pose danger to its people and neighbors in the Pacific.

Let us come together to pray and "uplift" this nation in this difficult time of mourning, recovery, relief and reconstruction.

Let us pray for those who died, and let our hearts reach out to those who lost loved ones and property and are struggling to get their lives back in order.

Let us pray also for the efforts of the Japanese government to contain any further danger and for nations in the global community that are supporting them.

Every adversity brings new opportunity; every tragedy brings new hope; every challenge brings new victory.  Let us lift up the clergy and faithful of Nippon Sei Ko Kai (Anglican Communion in Japan) and all the faith communities of Japan as they bear witness to the love, mercy and grace of God.

For more information, contact Mr. Peter Ng, Partnership Officer for Asia and the Pacific, telephone (212) 716-6317 or email png@episcopalchurch.org  or Fred Vergara at  (646) 510-6918 or email at wvergara@episcopalchurch.org

Sincerely,

The Rev. Dr. Charles Robertson,
Canon to the Presiding Bishop

The Rev. Dr. Winfred Vergara,
Missioner for Episcopal Asiamerican Ministry

The Rev. David Copley,
Director of Mission Personnel

Mr. Peter Ng,
Partnership Officer for Asia and the Pacific

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Japan archbishop urges ongoing prayers, commits to providing relief and restoration

[Episcopal News Service]

As Japanese officials estimate that the death toll could far exceed 10,000 after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami devastated parts of the country's northeast coast on March 11, Anglican Archbishop Nathaniel Uematsu underscored the importance of prayer and said that he is working to establish a structure to respond to the disaster.

Meanwhile, two Episcopalians serving as Young Adult Service Corps volunteers in Japan are safe and currently assessing ways that their ministries can be most helpful to the local community.

Uematsu said on March 14 that the Nippon Sei Ko Kei, the Anglican Church in Japan, is committed to "providing relief and sourcing volunteers and funding to help with the restoration of the affected areas."

The archbishop also is "trying to find more accurate information about our church family and the relief efforts, and to communicate that information as quickly as possible."

One of the YASC volunteers, Steven Hart from Kentucky, was working at the Asian Rural Institute -- an ecumenical training center for sustainable agriculture, community development, and leadership about 62 miles south of the Fukushima prefecture in northern Japan -- when the earthquake struck at 2:46 p.m. local time (12:46 a.m. EST) on March 11. The epicenter was 80 miles offshore of Sendai.

In a March 12 e-mail to church partners, Hart explained that the earthquake caused much damage at ARI, but that no one had been injured. "Saturday morning, we spent the day beginning to put ARI back into order. We are having all the buildings checked for their safety and we still don't know what their situation is," Hart said.

But as news emerged of an explosion and increased risks from nearby nuclear power plants, Hart and others evacuated the ARI premises late afternoon on March 12. Hart, along with five colleagues, drove to Shiki City, in Saitama prefecture, and stayed with a friend of ARI more than 124 miles from the nuclear plants, and away from the coast and any severely affected area.
"I am safe and feel I am in a good place. I am mentally OK right now, if a bit shaken up," Hart said in the e-mail. (A second explosion has since hit the Fukushima plant.)

By March 13, Hart made it Nagoya, some 200 miles west of Tokyo, where Christen Mills, another YASC volunteer from Massachusetts, has served for seven months as a nursery teacher and program trainee at the Nagoya Youth Center. In a March 14 e-mail to Episcopal News Service, Mills said that the region where she is living and working had not been impacted by the earthquake.

"We felt the earthquake slightly here but there was no damage as far as I know," she said. "As for me, I am continuing my ministry here and I plan to help with however the church here calls on its members to help."
 
Mills said that many people are concerned about friends and family members who live in the affected areas, still largely without communication more than three days after the earthquake. "The disaster is on everyone's hearts and minds and we are keeping everyone in the areas that were hit by the earthquake and tsunami in prayer," she said.

A daughter of Utah Bishop Scott Hayashi, who was in Japan at the time of the earthquake, also is reported to be safe.

The death toll currently stands at more than 3,500 people, but Japanese officials are estimating it could far exceed 10,000.

The Anglican Diocese of Tohoku covers the most northerly region in Japan and as such was most directly affected by the earthquake and tsunami. The provincial office had difficulty contacting the diocese, but on March 12 Bishop John Hiromichi Kato of Tohoku reached Uematsu by telephone.

"Bishop Kato explained that he himself had not been able to find out much about the other churches in the Diocese of Tohoku … largely due to the fact that neither power supplies nor telephone lines had been restored in areas most badly hit by the tsunami," said Uematsu, who noted that there is particular concern for two churches and a kindergarten near the coast.
Uematsu reported that Christchurch Cathedral in Sendai and churches in the Diocese of Kita Kanto have also been badly damaged.

On March 13, the cathedral congregation held its Sunday service in the diocesan office. The Diocese of Tohoku is planning to establish an emergency relief center at the diocesan building.

"Prayer has power," Uematsu said. "I hope and request that you pray for the people who are affected, for those who have died and for their families. Pray for the people involved with the rescue efforts, and in particular pray for Tohoku and Kita Kanto dioceses and their priests and parishioners during this time of Lent."

Messages of prayer and solidarity continued to pour in from around the Anglican Communion.

In the United States, the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries Office and the Partnership Office for Asia and the Pacific announced it will lead a prayer service for Japan at 4 p.m. on March 18, at the Chapel of Christ the Lord in the Episcopal Church Center in New York.

Parishes and congregations in the Episcopal Church also announced fundraising initiatives to help with the relief efforts in Japan.

All Saints Cathedral in Albany, New York, will sponsor a Jeans for Japan day on March 20, when the congregation is invited to wear jeans to church for a $2 donation with all proceeds going to help Japan. The initiative is spearheaded by the cathedral youth group.

Christ Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie will hold a Japan Benefit Concert, to include Mozart's Requiem, on Saturday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. with proceeds being donated towards the relief efforts.

In Hawaii, which was spared significant damage from the passing tsunami, Bishop Robert L. Fitzpatrick issued a special appeal to the diocese's 37 congregations on five islands to take up special collections on March 13 and March 20 at all worship services to help the church in Japan.

"I will forward the funds collected to the church in Japan as soon as we are informed how best to support the ministry and the impact area. I issue this call for prayer and a special collection, confident in your compassion, in the name of Jesus Christ," he wrote in a statement posted on the diocesan website.

"I also send it with gratitude as we were able to send $5,000 (US) to Bishop Kuru Gray and Kite Wai Pounamu from the appeal at the end of February for recovery efforts in Christchurch, New Zealand," which was rocked by a magnitude-6.3 earthquake on Feb. 22.

At Epiphany Church in the Kaimuki section of Honolulu, special thanksgivings and prayers were offered for the churches and people of Japan and New Zealand, and also that the Oahu coast was spared the full brunt of a tsunami.

Frank Lange, 72, told ENS March 13 at Epiphany that he spent 12 hours with three others riding out "vigorous" six-foot waves and avoiding collision with hundreds of other boats in deep waters offshore from the Ala Wai Harbor near Waikiki.

Lange, who retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, said he helped a friend save his houseboat from possible damage from rough waters slamming it against the harbor.

"We took it out at 12:06 a.m. And we didn't come back till 12:06 p.m."
He spent much of the time struggling to keep the boat "on a comfortable course and avoiding other boats. On a normal you might see half a dozen boats. That night there were at least 400. There was a lot of confusion, trade winds and showers from wind-driven waves. It was a rough ride."

The Kiyosato Educational Experiment Project (KEEP), a faith-based economic and community development program located approximately 220 miles from the northeast coast of Japan, endured minimal damage and all staff members are reported to be safe, according to Sandra McPhee, who serves on the American Committee for KEEP board and as a member of the Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on World Mission. The board, which was meeting in Berea, Kentucky, when its members learned of the earthquake and tsunami, passed a resolution expressing "sincere condolences to and concern for the region of the Tohoku and Kita Kanto dioceses and offered assistance for any relief work that KEEP might undertake in the affected region in partnership with the Nippon Sei Ko Kai," McPhee told ENS. A second resolution encouraged students from Rikkyo (St. Paul's) University to volunteer with relief efforts.

KEEP will be working with authorities in Japan to determine how they can best help with relief efforts, said McPhee.

In South Africa, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba issued a statement on March 14 expressing his deep shock and sadness in learning of the "human tragedy, displacement and the physical damage to so many structures in many communities" throughout Japan.
"On behalf of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, I send our condolences to the families of those who died or are missing and the assurance of our prayerful support in the days ahead," said Makgoba. "Though we are far away in the southern tip of Africa, we are one in Christ, you remain our neighbor and we are touched by your pain and loss."

Makgoba visited Haiti shortly after the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake that devastated parts of that country. Since then, he said, "we have seen severe climatic changes with resultant flooding, demolition of property and also sadly the tragic loss of human life ... While we don't have certainty about what is causing the severe climatic changes we are witnessing around the world, their impact is devastating to all."

Makgoba's statement follows messages of condolence issued on March 11 by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Archbishop Fred Hiltz of the Anglican Church of Canada and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

The Rev. Dr. Winfred Vergara, missioner, Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries, said on March 14: "Our hearts reach out to those who lost loved ones and properties and are struggling to get their lives back. We also thank God for the United States government and all other nations in the world supporting the efforts of the Japanese government in their search and rescue operations as well as efforts to contain any further danger. Every adversity brings new opportunity; every tragedy brings new hope; every challenge brings new victory. In the midst of calamities, destruction and death around us, there are values that endure: faith-community, family and friends. We believe that our humanity, with God's help, will not simply survive but shall prevail."

-- Matthew Davies is editor and international correspondent of the Episcopal News Service. The Rev. Pat McCaughan, an ENS correspondent, contributed to this report.

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Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori statement on earthquake

The Office of Public Affairs
March 11, 2011 - Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori offers the following concerning the devastating earthquake in Japan:

The Episcopal Church is praying for the people of Japan, particularly Bishop John Kato, the clergy, and people of the Diocese of Tohoku in the aftermath of this devastating earthquake. 

We will continue to pray with Japan as she seeks the lost and begins to bury the dead.

May they rest in peace, and may all those who mourn find comfort. 

We know the aftermath will be long and difficult, and we assure you of our solidarity.  We are grateful that most other parts of the Pacific have withstood the passage of the first tsunami.

May we all be reminded that we live on a fragile earth, in continual process of creation and destruction, and that we share a common responsibility for healing wherever we are able.

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