The magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Monday has claimed the lives of more than 25,000 people in Turkey and Syria and left hundreds of thousands homeless across a vast region.

This week the Development Committee of Fifth Avenue unanimously approved a special collection for earthquake relief. The funds will go to the Presbyterian Mission Agency, which is coordinating a response with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, World Mission and multiple other relief partners.

Also this week, the Outreach Committee authorized an immediate, $4,000 contribution from the mission emergency fund to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for its earthquake relief work. The committee will continue to evaluate need, as the road to recovery will be long and ongoing support will be necessary.

If you would like to make an online contribution to the church’s special collection, go to fapc.org/give, locate the dropdown menu titled “Fund,” and choose “Turkey-Syria Earthquake Relief.” If you would like to donate by check, please make the check payable to Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church and write “Earthquake” in the memo line. You can mail your check to the church business office or drop it in the offering plate on Sunday.

We also will accept cash donations on Sunday. Look for the brown envelopes available in the rear of the Sanctuary or ask an usher to provide one. You may also use one of the offering envelopes you find in your pew; please write “Earthquake” on the front.

Just as important as our money are our prayers. The Rev. Edwin Gonzalez-Castillo, director of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, offers a beautiful prayer that includes these words:
Dear God, be with those
who weep,
who are angry,
who have lost hope,
who mourn out loud and in silence,
who don’t know what the future will bring.
May the prayers of your children rise to you.

May these words remain on our hearts in the difficult months to come.