The Hawaii Conference and Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ have both issued appeals to support those impacted by wildfires across Hawaii, including the Maui fire which took more than 100 lives and is being called one of the deadliest US wildfires in the past 100 years.“As we learn of the rising toll of the wildfires in Maui and see more and more of the extent of the destruction, we hold the people of Hawaii in our prayers, including UCC members and Hawaii Conference leadership,” Peter Makari, transitional executive for Wider Church Ministries, said in this United Church News article.
Contributions made through the UCC Disaster Ministries network will focus on bridging the gaps between the assistance offered by first-time responders and community revitalization.
Donations can be made to the national appeal here: https://support.ucc.org/hawaii-wildfires#
The Hawaii Conference used existing disaster relief funds to issue aid for gas, clothes, toiletries and other immediate aid, according to their website. The Conference has also established the Hawaii 2023 Wildfires Relief Fund, which will both continue to issue immediate aid and be used for long-term recovery.
Updates from the Hawaii Conference can be found on their website here.
Contributions to the Hawaii Conference relief fund can be made here.
Text from graphic, which is a fire background and this prayer on the foreground:
A Prayer for Maui
God, we lift to you the people of Maui and Hawaii, as they deal with devastating wildfires.
Hold close those whose loved ones have perished and those who cannot locate people about whom they are concerned.
Care for those who have lost their homes, buildings, and precious memories.
Carry local, state, and federal officials, instigating in them the strength, vision, and courage to take bold action that is responsive to the needs of your people today and for the future.
And inspire in each of us the commitment to be good support, while also doing our part to create the climate and infrastructure that can help guard against such tragedy.
Amen
- Rev. Dr. James D. Ross II, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion