The recent floods in the North of WA have been described as the worst on record and will take months, if not years, to rebuild. Although the government has announced generous financial and other emergency relief support, there are concerns about the emotional and mental health toll this disaster will have on people in the area in the long run. As a church, our hearts and prayers go out to the people affected by the floods and the first responders helping at this time. We also pray for the Northern Synod, where most of the affected area falls.

At this stage our Chaplains are not on-site and directly involved, however, they are closely monitoring the situation and communicating with each other, including the chaplains from the Northern Territory, to assist with the situation and keep the Church Office up to date.

We encourage congregations to unite in prayer for the people affected by this disaster, including those who are assessing, assisting and our government.

Although it does not appear that any financial assistance is required at this point, the Uniting Church often moves in to help in such areas when everyone has left, as in the case of the work currently undertaken by Rev David Jackson and Rev Erica Payne in the Mid-West of WA. Therefore, we would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone of the need to continue supporting the church’s emergency relief fund so that we can continue to undertake this much-needed work.

Grace and peace.

Susy Thomas
MODERATOR

(Photo source: The Great Northern Highway at Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia. Photo: AAP/Andrea Myers)