Pope Shenouda III - Rest in Peace

News just in via  an Iraqi  friend, Aziz Nour of the Oriental Churches Association

With great sorrow  and a since of loss I just heard the  official
announcement of the death of Pope Shenouda III at the age of 89 years .
Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The death of Pope Shenouda will mark an end of an era. A legacy and hallmark
of  more than four decades of ecclesiastical leadership will prove to be
indelible in the  history of the Coptic Church.

 Pope Shenouda III  left the Coptic Orthodox Church and the entire
Christian Middle East with a great and irreplaceable  leadership void  at
 the juncture of the beginning of a fluid, unsettling and perilous new
ear for the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Christianity in the Middle
East.

May God rest his sole in peace and provide the Coptic Church with a
leaders of the caliber of Pope Shenouda III

Your prayers for the Coptic Church and Christians in the Middle East is
greatly appreciated.

Yours in Christ

Aziz

Venn's Pen - Love, Peace, Faith

From the Pen of Frederica Venn an associate currently in Islamabad




















THOUGHTS FROM ISLAMABAD AFTER DEATH OF BIN LADEN

LOVE IS NOT
CHEERING
WHEN A FOE LIES
FALLEN









PEACE IS NOT
WRITTEN
IN A BOOK
FOR WARFARE









FAITH
IS A DOOR
THAT SHOULD LIE
OPEN

Frederica Venn
May 4th 2011

Pray for Japan

CMS Trustee Canon Dr Phil Groves writes from the Anglican Communion Office

The Primate of Japan, Bishop Nathaniel Uematsu, has spoken to Bishop of Tohoku, the Rt Revd John Hiromichi Kato last night. The people in Sendai City and beyond spent the evening in pitch darkness without any heating. The diocese of Tohoku is at the centre of the earthquake area: some churches are

* Konahama St Thomas Church have seen tsunami wave came 50 metres to the entrance of the church, and the front wall at the entrance to the church fell and much damage inside.
* Isoyama St Peter's Church is located 50 meters from the sea, and it is a great concern of their safety. Various damages are reported in other churches, and there is no news from a number of churches in Iwate Prefecture as it has not been possible to contact them.

Bishop Nathaniel envisages to set up an appeal (he has already taken an action within Japan) to help & support those churches in Tohoku Diocese to start rebuilding their lives.

Tohoku Diocese, which is directly hit by the earthquake, is located in north east of Japan (as you all saw on TV). Bishop Kato is a well known theologian and liturgist.

The Primate of Japan requests prayers from all of us, and he is overwhelmed with gratitude that so many Provinces in the Anglican Communion has sent him and the Province messages of support and prayers.

AND A PRAYER BY A CMS MEMBERS

Father in heaven, you are the absolute Sovereign over the shaking of the earth, the rising of the sea, and the raging of the waves. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. We cover our faces and kiss your omnipotent hand. We fall helpless to the floor in prayer and feel how fragile the very ground is beneath our knees.

O God, we humble ourselves under your holy majesty and repent. In a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—we too could be swept away. We are not more deserving of firm ground than our fellowmen in Japan. We too are flesh. We have bodies and homes and cars and family and precious places. We know that if we were treated according to our sins, who could stand? All of it would be gone in a moment. So in this dark hour we turn against our sins, not against you.

And we cry for mercy for Japan. Mercy, Father. Not for what they or we deserve. But mercy.

Have you not encouraged us in this? Have we not heard a hundred times in your Word the riches of your kindness, forbearance, and patience? Do you not a thousand times withhold your judgments, leading your rebellious world toward repentance? Yes, Lord. For your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts.

Grant, O God, that the wicked will forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Grant us, your sinful creatures, to return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved.

May every heart-breaking loss—millions upon millions of losses—be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures' pain. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all.

In Jesus you tasted loss. In Jesus you shared the overwhelming flood of our sorrows and suffering. In Jesus you are a sympathetic Priest in the midst of our pain.

Deal tenderly now, Father, with this fragile people. Woo them. Win them. Save them.

And may the floods they so much dread make blessings break upon their head.

O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.

In Jesus’ merciful name, Amen.

Sendai Earthquake, Japan

The drawing of the Sendai Earthquake is by a Japanese girl in Osaka

Pamela Cooper who worked in Japan for 41 years as a CMS MP, was back visiting a freind in Osaka when the earthquake struck. She writes:

I am in Osaka with friends so I am far from the north-east part of Japan where the centre of the earthquake and the tsunami hit so i am reliant on what I am seeing on TV as you are.
This northern part of Japan is a rural area with not so many large towns, but villages. The largest is Sendai near where the centre was. It is mainly farming land - rice and apples and fishing. There are small industrial centres. The district is more tradition than most of Japan with Buddhism and Shinto being important to community life. The Anglican Church and other denominations on the whole are small with ageing church members.
The area that is affected is vast and we have three disasters - the earthquake, the tsunami and now the problems of the nuclear plants.
Most of the houses would be Japanese style wooden frame houses built to move in an earthquake, but it was impossible for such houses to stand in the force of the tsunami, which as you will have seen was often as hugh as a 3 or 4 storey building. Tsunami warnings have been lifted but there are still many after shocks. Japan is well equipped to give people warnings of tsunami but this one came so fast with such force that in some case the warning and the tsunami came at the same time.
Watching the news tonight 15,000 people are still missing. Bodies are being swept up onto beaches and are slowly being found in the debris. cars, boats etc. Over 1000 have now been declared dead.
The failure of the nuclear plants and other plants means that many people have no electricity, gas, water and are short of food and water Many thousand are in evacuation centres, in schools etc. Now temperatures are dropping and snow is expected again from Wednesday. In many other areas north of Tokyo power is being restricted on a 3 hour rotation. Train services in Tokyo an other places are being restricted or stopped to save power. Shops are shutting early. Disney Land has shut for 2 weeks etc, etc all these things to save power.
Today I have been visiting friend in the area of the Hanshin earthquake area 17 years ago. A new modern city is there now. Japan will rebuild and they will learn from this unbelievable disaster but it will take years.
There is so much to pray for at this moment and I know you all have been praying and will continue. Please pray also that through this the Grace of God will be seen and people, and the nation, will be helped by Christians to see the love of God for each one of them. and that His presence is there in the deepest despair bringing hope.

Greetings in Christ, Pam

in Memory of Mehboob Sada

We have received the following from the staff of the Christian Study Centre (CSC), Rawalpindi.

This is in loving memory of our beloved director of Christian Study Centre.
Pacifist, interfaith harmony promoter and Christian leader Mr. Mehboob Sada was born in Rawalpindi on January 18, 1947 and died on January 14, 2011 in Islamabad. Mehboob Sada was the pen name of Mr. Mehboob Francis. From the early youth he developed knack for literature and poetry. He was a dynamic personality and inspiring figure. He was the director of Christian Study Centre, Rawalpindi and influenced and inspired thousands of lives both within and beyond the circles of CSC. From the very beginning he was interested in building and strengthening lives; perhaps that is the reason why he chose teaching as his career after finishing his M.A and M.Ed. He was a man of exceptional qualities and feats who had an eventful and inspiring life.


As poet and writer he was quite appreciated and liked in the literary and educated circles of Pakistan. And CSC was considered to be hub of intellectual pursuits, there began his association with CSC as linguist, social analyst, intellectual and writer. He was often invited and come to scholarly pursuits of CSC and contributed immensely in them. Given his contribution and commitment to CSC, he was offered a full-time position at CSC that he accepted and joined it as Research Staff in 1996. In a very short span of time he became the most important staff of CSC and was elevated to prestigious post of Director of CSC on May 25, 2002, the position he retained till his death. Mr. Mehboob Sada was a popular man and had endeared himself to those he met with his liberal thinking; kindness of heart, tolerance and pragmatic approach to life. He exuded simplicity; untainted generosity. He was acknowledged by Government of Pakistan in 2003 when he was bestowed upon National Cultural Award. His contributions to cause of Peace, Interfaith Harmony, Social and Political Awareness, Youth, Education and Christian community are highly commendable. He was on Board of several esteemed organizations and networks both national and international. He was the nationalist, who loved his country a lot and struggled throughout his life for equality, justice and unity in the country. He vehemently supported and participated in all the movements to end discrimination and discriminatory laws in the country. He played his part through radio, TV, newspapers and books. Two of his well-known books that he authored are:

§ Tarikh Ka Fareb (Allusion of the History)

§ Fajr Kay Khawab (Dreams at Dawn)

He was honored both nationally and internationally for his tireless efforts to bring peace and harmony in Pakistan. He was also the member of Selection Committee of Education Ministry on syllabus development of Ethics for non-Muslims. In which he was actively involved in development of textbooks on Ethics from grade I to XII. His contribution as Christian leader are immense too, he would raise voice for the rights of Christian community and non-Muslim Pakistanis everywhere. He was a strong believer who was not shy of his Christian values and identity. His whole life is living proof of self-made man whose conviction in his faith and beliefs took him to places all over the world and mesmerized and enthralled everyone who came in his contact through his charismatic personality.


He was very much active as director of CSC and performed his duties perfectly before his short illness that led to his hospitalization for two months. Prior to his death he was diagnosed with blood cancer and passed away on January 14, 2011. Scores of people participated in his funeral service that was also held on same day. Presence of people from all faiths, denominations and sects in funeral validated the mission of this great man, who selflessly worked to promote human dignity above all and for all. In his bereaved family he has left behind a wife, four daughters, one son and three grandchildren.


The letter is a humble attempt to thank all the friends and well-wishers of Mr. Mehboob Sada and CSC who have supported us through their presence, messages and condolences at his death. Though the void left by him will never fill but least we can do is carry on the mission our beloved mentor marked and defined for us i.e love, peace and hope.

Protest fire in Kashmir - reaction to 'Qu'ran burning'

Bishop Pradeep Samantaroy of Amritsar writes:

following the Quaran burning threats in America, the Tangmarg branch of the Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson Educational Society in Jammu and Kashmir has been put on fire. Curfew has been imposed. Even as this message is being typed, the school building is still burning! Kindly pray that peace will be restored soon and that nobody is hurt.

Tyndale Biscoe school, Srinagar

Read more from the local press in Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Observer

PS It is worth noting that this is a reaction to the 'Qu'ran Burnings' that did not happen. Fighting fire with fire

LATEST UPDATE:

Smaraki Samantaroy The School students are not hurt. The building has totally burnt down. It was entirely made of wood. Though the officials were informed of a possible attack and requested for safety there was no action taken. The mob even stopped the fire brigade from reaching the spot.We are yet to procure a photograph. We will keep you updated.

Kyrgystan: 'Stay with us in the gap'

Please continue to pray for the situation in Kyrgyzstan.

A pastor from Bishkek just sent this email asking for those outside the country to stand with them in prayer:

"Dear friends, Please pray for God not let the civil war happen. The situation is very dangerous. Our previous president has gone to southern Kyrgyzstan (he is originally from there). If he can organize people there to take the power back, it will be a civil war. We pray for God to stop all the looting and distraction, there are many aggressive groups of young people wandering around the city. Many minimarkets have been destroyed, as well as a weapon store. It's just like five years ago; if there is no authority, for just one night, it's worse then any authority, no matter what kind. Stay with us in the gap."

See also BBC News article Kyrgyz opposition 'sets up new government

Please pray for stability in the country over the coming days - today will probably be pivotal. If opposition leaders can calm the protestors/looters and make sufficient changes quickly enough, then things might settle down. But if the former president manages to rally large support in the south, then the outcome is much less predictable and more worrying.

Kyrgystan 'revolution'

"Hi, it's revolution here..."

Those were the opening words of a message from an associate in Kyrgyzstan this morning..... (7th April)

Another of our colleagues (who lives much closer to the center of Bishkek) wrote:

"We are looking out of our window at people running by after shots are fired. It is like watching a movie except it is really happening..."

There has been growing unrest for several weeks, and demonstrations have broken out in various places. This week, these spread to the capital city, Bishkek and this morning the BBC reports that police have been firing on protestors:

Please pray for Kyrgyzstan during these troubled times. pray that the unrest will subside and that the protestors will be restrained as they air their grievances. Pray too that whatever changes result, life will be easier, not harder for Christians and Churches....

(sent in by Nick)