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The Presbyterian Church has responded immediately to the Indian earthquake disaster sending an initial response of £10,000 to its partner church, The Church of North India, which is based in Gujarat right at the centre of the devastation.
Rev Terry McMullan, Presbyterian Overseas Board Secretary, spent much of Friday and the weekend trying to get in contact with Indian Church Officials to find out what the needs were and finally on Sunday received news from Bishop Vinod Malaviya of the Gujarat District where the Presbyterian Church has had very strong links since 1840.
'Vinod's email detailed some of the devastation and destruction in the area but more importantly it detailed help that was urgently required and projects that we here in Ireland could help the Church of North India with , explained Terry McMullan. 'We have immediately sent £10,000 with the promise of more. This will be used in providing emergency food and water for some 30,000 families together with emergency shelter, blankets and utensils for a further 1,000 families.'
'From their own membership the Church in North India has already organised teams of volunteers to work in the devastated area with church buildings being used as relief centres. As well as asking for help from their own members throughout India, however, they recognise that because the need is so great their own county and people will not be able to meet all the demands and so they are asking for help from their partner churches.'
The Presbyterian Church has very close links with India and has nine overseas staff working on the sub-continent. Though none are in the earthquake area of Gujarat, that is where the Presbyterian Church would have had its longest involvement of over 160 years, with many Irish Presbyterians having worked there particularly in the areas of education and medicine . Today the Church works in close partnership with the Church of North India supporting its work particularly in the Gujarat Diocese. The Bishop of Gujarat, Rt Rev Vinod Malaviya has been a regular visitor to the Presbyterian Church and studied for some time at the Church's Theological Faculty at Union College, Belfast.
The Moderator is encouraging all Presbyterians to pray for the situation and to generously support the relief work of the Diocese of Gujarat.. Donations may be sent to the Financial Secretary's Office, Church House.
For updated information contact Prayerline on (028) 9032 6009 or www.presbyterianireland.org/overseas/prayerline.html.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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