Here’s How You Can Help

Our three denominations’ relief agencies are already working with their partners in Lebanon to determine how to best assist the people of Beirut after the deadly and devastating explosion on August 4th.  Until August 24th, the Canadian government will be matching donations up to five million dollars.

Photo: World Vision/Reuters

Each denomination has information about the efforts that are already underway and how individuals are able to contribute.

The Anglican Church of Canada

Archbishop Linda Nicholls asks the church to pray for the people of Lebanon and includes pictures of how the blast affected the Anglican Church in Beirut in this post.

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is working with its regional partner, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and ACT Alliance.  PWRDF has issued a statement and ways to contribute to relief efforts.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

In this post about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s response, National Bishop Susan C. Johnson urges members to pray for all who have been affected by the recent devastation in Lebanon and to support relief efforts.

“We pray for all those impacted by the recent events in Lebanon,” says Bishop Johnson. “All those who have been injured, those who worry and wait for news of loved ones, for all who work to bring relief and aid. Supporting this appeal is a chance for us to show our love for our neighbour in a tangible way.”

Canadian Lutheran World Relief is responding to the devastation through its local partners in ACT Alliance who are on the ground in Lebanon, who are focused on life-saving immediate needs including shelter, food, clean water and trauma care.  More information can be found here.

The United Church of Canada

The United Church of Canada has been in direct contact with Mission & Service partners in the region. They include the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and ACT Alliance.  The United Church has already been working with the latter group in Lebanon in providing assistance through its global COVID-19 appeal.  Find further information here.

Moderator Richard Bott shared this prayer for Beirut following the news of the explosion:

God –

Your servants in Lebanon are grieving, today,
the death of loved ones,
killed in the explosion which destroyed the port,
and was felt kilometers upon kilometers away.
I pray for those who have died,
their families and friends,
in all of their grief and loss;
I pray for those who are still waiting,
to hear about those who are missing,
in their anxiety and their grief;
I pray for the healing of those who live,
but whose bodies were damaged by the blast…
buildings and property can, and will, be rebuilt,
but healing the grief of loss
through death will take time,
and love.