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Community Corner

Local Faith Organizations: Help, Compassion Necessary for Japan

Many find solace in giving when there are no easy answers to tragedy.

At times like this, many of us may wonder in fear and in terror what it would be like for our entire world to change in just a few moments as it has for the people of Northern Japan, who are now the latest victims of an unprecedented natural disaster, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, followed by a devastating tsunami.

What would we do if we lost those we love and everything we own? What would we do if our entire world was ripped apart in a matter of seconds?

How do you even begin to make sense of such tragedies? Do we believe that the divine has a hand in this? Do we believe it is related to our karma or past deeds?

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Or do we cling to the notion that when it's our time–that’s it. Perhaps there is just no way to detour around fate.

When faced with tragedies like Japan is facing now, many people of faith believe that our only recourse is to offer compassion and practical help. And that is exactly what the faith organizations in the Washington Township area are doing now.  

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Rev. Margaret Otterburn, Rector of the Church of the Messiah in Chester said that she is urging all of her congregation to contribute to relief for Japan through the Episcopal Relief and Development Organization.

“We are also praying for the people of Japan, those who have been bereaved, those who have lost so much, those who have died, those involved in dangerous work in order to help their fellow citizens. It is just devastating and horrifying," said Otterburn.

“There are no easy answers. We live in a dynamic world which moves, hence natural disasters. We have no control over such things, but we have to help each other when catastrophes happen,” said Otterburn.

Rabbi Moshe Rudin of Temple Hatikvah in Flanders said he is encouraging Temple members to donate to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, which he considers “one of the best charities of any kind on the planet.”

“As Jews, we are forbidden from 'Lidrosh Acharei HaKadosh Baruch Hu–Inquiring after the ways of God' when tragedy befalls others. Our sole task is to establish God's presence on earth through acts of loving kindness, support and assistance,” said Rudin.

Father Michael Drury, Pastor of St. Luke’s Church in Long Valley said that his congregation is offering financial and practical support through the Catholic Relief Services.

“We will also be giving our people here in our parish an opportunity to give a 'Free Will Offering', which will be sent to the Diocese of Paterson and onto the Catholic Relief Organization,” said Drury.

According to the Catholic Sun, the Diocese of Sendai includes the areas hardest hit by the disaster.

Rev. Peter Froehlke, Pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church in Long Valley said that the most common response to disasters like this–is compassion.

He and members of his congregation are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Disaster Response Organization which issued a communication to all ELCA members immediately following the news that the earthquake struck.

The communication was issued by Rev. Daniel Rift, Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Response.

Rift told ELCA members that all 22 ELCA missionaries in Japan have reported that they and their families are safe and well.

He said, “The ELCA and its predecessor church bodies have a long history in Japan, dating back to 1892. The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church has a rich tradition of education and service to those who are in need, and we will continue to walk alongside our companions in ministry as they respond to the disaster.”

Rev. Froehlke said it is very difficult to come to terms with a disaster like this–which is clearly a natural disaster and not something brought about by the actions of human beings such as war.

He said, "We have to find a way to accept that as human beings we may only have a limited understanding of why such things happen. And the only comfort we can find is in our ability to reach out to offer a helping hand." 

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