While a variety of responses are needed, we offer three practical options:

1.  We have already sent out an appeal through the e-advocacy network of the religious community, www.faithfulamerica.org, an opportunity to give financially.  These funds will be funneled through our partner organization Church World Service. Please email this website to your contact list and encourage people to give generously.

2. We remind our member communions and churches that the South and Southeast Asian immigrant communities are in need of emotional and spiritual support at this time. Many have lost relatives and friends. We note that Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim communities  have already begun such work. Where possible we encourage our churches to partner with those religious communities in this endeavor of common concern. To this end we are working to put together a webpage of resources that will be sent via email to our church list this week.

3.  As you know, we are planning to take a delegation to Asia in the spring.  Our purpose has been to reacquaint our own US religious communities with our Asian brothers and sisters and to understand the issues that confront the Christian communities in that region.  Our purpose is now augmented by the need to be with our fellow Christians in solidarity as they will be just beginning the long-term task of re-building their societies after this tragedy.

Please be assured that the National Council of Churches USA will send condolences to the Christian Conference of Asia and other ecumenical partners in the region.  In the meantime, I join you in prayer for those whose lives were ended in this tragedy.  May their memories be eternal!

  Peace,

  Bob Edgar