As we all wait, and watch and pray on news that a major earthquake has struck Japan and a tsunami is now on its way through the Pacific Rim, I write to give you an update on those in our community who are in Japan.  Deacon Barrett's son Kyle was on the telephone with Fummie, the mother of Deacon Barrett's grandson Andrew, when the earthquake struck.  Several hours later Kyle was able to reestablish contact.  Fummie, Andrew and Fummie's family are understandably unsettled, but they are safe.  Yauso and Yukko Egawa (who recently gave St. John's the three cherry trees) have reported that they too are safe.

We continue our prayers for those living through the aftermath, for those in the tsunami's path and for those who must now mourn, rebuild and hold strong.  I commend to you the prayer below.  It was written and published shortly after the earthquake in ChristChurch, New Zealand.

God's peace,

KGK+

 PRAYER AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE - Author unknown
 
Oh God, at times such as this,
when we realize that the ground beneath our feet
is not as solid as we had imagined, we plead for your mercy.
 
As the things we have built crumble about us,
we know too well how small we truly are
on this ever-changing, ever-moving, fragile planet we call home.
Yet you never forget us.
 
Oh God, come to our assistance
 
Today, so many people are afraid.
They wait in fear of the next tremor.
They hear the cries of the injured amid the rubble.
They roam the streets in shock at what they see.
And they fill the dusty air with wails of grief and the names of missing dead.
 
Comfort them, Oh God, in this disaster.
Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still,
and shelter them under your wings when homes no longer exist.
 
Embrace in your arms those who died so suddenly in this tragedy.
Console the hearts of those who mourn,
and ease the pain of bodies on the brink of death.
 
Fill our hearts with compassion,
we who watch from afar,
as the poorest on this side of the earth
find only misery upon misery.
Move us to act swiftly this day,
to give generously every day, to work for justice always,
and to pray unceasingly for those without hope.
 
And once the shaking has ceased,
the images of destruction have stopped filling the news,
and our thoughts return to life's daily rumblings,
let us not forget that we are all your children
and they, our brothers and sisters.
We are all the work of your hands.
 
For though the mountains leave their place
and the hills be tossed to the ground, your love shall never leave us,
and your promise of peace will never be shaken.
 
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever. Amen
Author unknown