You’ve likely seen the horrifying images of the massive tsunami that swept across Japan’s eastern coast after Friday’s 9.0-magnitude earthquake.  Rescuers are still working to reach the hardest hit areas.  Hundreds of people are missing or injured, while at least 200,000 people were evacuated as their villages washed away.

The death toll is expected to continue rising in the coming days, and authorities fear it could surpass 10,000 people.  Thousands of injured, displaced, and traumatized people in Japan need our prayers and support.  To aid in recovery efforts, the UCC’s disaster ministries have established an International Disaster Relief donation page here:  https://secure3.convio.net/ucc/site/Donation2?df_id=1234&1234.donation=form1

If you prefer, you may write a check to NCC with “Japan earthquake” on the memo line and either mail it or feel free to bring it with you on Sunday.

The Rev. Douglas Anders, the UCC’s South Central Conference Minister, has extensive family connections in Japan. Anders’ mother was able to contact a sister in Tokyo who reported that other siblings in the vicinity of Sendai had experienced structural damage to their homes but were spared the force of the tsunami waters.

“I invite your prayers for all people affected by today’s earthquake-tsunami, especially the people of northern Japan,” said Anders in an email to other Conference Ministers, noting that the possibility of such a disaster is contained in the “Japanese collective psyche.”

“They know what happened today could happen any day, so in so ways they were prepared. But as one lives through such an event, you realize one can never be fully prepared for the magnitude of damage and destruction,” said Anders.