Action Overview

Call for Prayer for Spirit of Christ MCC and Joplin, MO following Severe Tornado

The following information was released by Rev. Elder Lillie Brock, 12 June 2011

Thanks to everyone for your responsiveness, care and concern for the thousands of people affected by the tornado in Joplin, Missouri, Sunday night. If you have been following the news, you know the devastation is profound and search-and-rescue efforts continue.

These are the most current we have (12 June 2011):

• Rev. Steven Urie, the pastor of Spirit of Christ MCC in Joplin, and his partner, Heath, are safe.
• Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell from Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis met with Rev. Steve Urie, pastor of Spirit of Christ MCC, and the congregation to offer grief counseling and deliver additional supplies. Rev. Carol is working with MCC clergy who are also trained in counseling to create a pastoral care plan to meet the needs of SOC MCC tornado victims.
• Pastor Tom Emmett from MCC Omaha will survey SOC MCC members and friends next week to help shape the role of his visit to the church June 17-20. During that time he will work with the pastor, board of directors, and congregation to begin a conversation to identify short and long term goals which will also include the allocation of donations.
• Rev. Elder Lillie Brock and network co-leads Linda Beckstead and Terry Curry remain in ongoing contact with Rev. Steve to assess the congregation’s needs and provide support as it is identified.
• Susie Brenner, from Brenner-Beckstead Ministries and MCC Omaha congregants will travel to Joplin to worship with Spirit of Christ MCC June 12. Susie will provide the music since the church’s sound system and iWorship collection was destroyed in the storm.

Additional supplies and donations continue to support Spirit of Christ MCC during this recovery period. You can send donations directly to Spirit of Christ MCC, PO Box 1843, Joplin, Missouri, 64802. You can also contact Network Co-lead Linda Beckstead at Linda@BrennerBeckstead.com or 402.850.7153 if you have any questions.

Current News

Newsreel for This Effort

DRJOPLINTORNADOMAY11UPDATE (12 June 2011 – 3:12 PM): Network churches that are in the Joplin, MO area have offered or made provisions for help in some way.  Supplies are being gathered now in the local churches.

OTHER NEWS

From MCC Omaha – Prayer Service for Spirit of Hope MCC in Joplin, MO – Click Here to Learn More!

From KOAM Television Station – Video – 23 May 2011, 06:38AM

Participate

Our community greatly appreciates your prayers as we await information on further assistance needed. While they assess their needs and begin to reach out to others less fortunate, please extend your prayers from around the globe for their efforts and their healing.

Pray With Us

God of Love and Compassion,

God, in these moments when we feel helpless and worried, we ask for your comfort and presence.

Together, we join our hearts and spirits to pray for the members and friends of Spirit of Christ MCC. We also hold in our hearts all the people in the Joplin area who were affected by this storm.

We know you as the comforter and healer and we call on you to do your work in all the places where fear, injury, loss and devastation are present. We believe, Oh God, in the mystery of your power and call on it now as we pray.

Amen

Support

Give Online to MCC Disaster Relief

Your gifts to MCC Disaster Relief ensure that when we have requests for financial or resource assistance, we are able to immediately respond on your behalf. It’s easy to give to MCC on-line. Due to enhanced security, MCC accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover cards through PayPal. NOTE: You do NOT have to have a PayPal account to give!

Action Overview

Call for Prayer for Southern United States Impacted by Severe Tornadoes

The following information was released by Rev. Elder Ken Martin

Current News

Newsreel for This Effort

UPDATE

Holy Cross MCC Task Force Assembled – 27 April 2011
A special Holy Cross MCC Task Force has been assembled to assist those in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding areas who have suffered loss due to the effects of this week’s tornado destruction. Our Holy Cross MCC church office will be open on

*Friday, April 29th from 10am to 7pm *
*Saturday, April 30th from 10am to 6pm*
Please drop off your donations during these office hours.

to collect the following:

• Bottled Water
• Toiletries (male & female)
• Clothing – especially for children
• Soap & Detergent
• Canned goods – pop top which do not require heating or cooking

At *6pm on Saturday, April 30th*, we are asking for help to load the trucks and trailers (which have also been donated) with the items received.If you have any questions regarding how and/or when to help, please contact Donna Stough @ 850.221.2700 or email donnaggnwl@aol.com

DRUSATORNADOSPR11

Participate

Our communities have so far reported that they are safe. While they assess their needs and begin to reach out to others less fortunate, please extend your prayers from around the globe for their efforts and their healing.  (prayer adapted from a service following hurricane Katrina)

Pray With Us

God of Love and Compassion,

When the trees bow and snap under the weight of the wind,
When the rain destroys rather than nurtures the earth,
When the streets are littered with wet teddy bears, broken dishes and shattered dreams,
When it seems the future and all it promises is blown away in an instant,

Then it is only to you, O God, that we know to turn for comfort and hope.
Hear our prayers as we share the brokenness of those who are suffering and show us the ways we can be your messengers of healing and hope.

Amen

Support

Give Online to MCC Disaster Relief

Your gifts to MCC Disaster Relief ensure that when we have requests for financial or resource assistance, we are able to immediately respond on your behalf. It’s easy to give to MCC on-line. Due to enhanced security, MCC accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover cards through PayPal. NOTE: You do NOT have to have a PayPal account to give!

Action Overview

Call for Prayer for Christchurch, New Zealand

The following information was released by Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, MCC

In February 2011 an earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand, toppling buildings and killing many people. The city has been devastated. The Cathedral in the center square has been destroyed. Power is gone in most places and there is no safe water. I spoke with Marion Wilson, one of the Crave MCC, NZ leaders. She says that people from the church are physically safe and many deeply unsettled by the events. Neil Hellewell, another leader, has spent most of the day and much of the night working at the hospital. Many are being cared for in parks around the city. Please keep the congregation of Crave MCC and the people of the city of Christchurch and surrounding area in your prayers.

Marion Wilson, Neil Hellewell from Crave MCC Christchurch

Current News

Newsreel for This Effort

9 March 2011 – Neil H. from CRAVE MCC in Christchurch provides an update to the conditions still existent in Christchurch, New Zealand.  Click Here!

Participate

Our community in Christchurch is safe and recovering.  While they work through this difficult time, they ask for our prayers from around the globe for their efforts and their healing.

Pray With Us

Gracious God,
We lift our voices to join the chorus of people asking for your healing presence with the people of Christchurch.
Share your peace with those who are frightened,
Share your strength with the ones searching for those who are trapped,
Share your compassion and healing touch with those dealing with the injured.
Be with all the families searching for loved ones or grieving the loss of those who are now with you.
Cathedral in ChristchurchMay everyone feel your enveloping love and know that they are not alone.
We pray for the land, may the tremors of the earth ease.
We know that journey through this devastation is just beginning and we pray for a spirit of hope for Christchurch’s people as they grieve their losses and work to rebuild their lives.
God, with you all things are possible and we know that through you, prayer can bring comfort to a hurting world. May the people of Christchurch feel your love and find renewed courage for the days ahead.
We offer our prayer through your many names and in the name of Jesus.
Amen

Support

Give Online to MCC Disaster Relief

Your gifts to MCC Disaster Relief ensure that when we have requests for financial or resource assistance, we are able to immediately respond on your behalf.  It’s easy to give to MCC on-line. Due to enhanced security, MCC accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover cards through PayPal.  NOTE:  You do NOT have to have a PayPal account to give!