Christians keen to support their sisters and brothers who have been affected by the bushfire disaster in south-eastern and eastern Tasmania have been encouraged to support the Red Cross Appeal. The PCNSW General Office has received a number of calls from people around Australia asking whether the Church had set up an appeal As a result,  Presbyterian Church of Tasmanian Moderator, Rev Rod Waterhouse has referred people to the Red Cross Appeal set up through the State Government.

“We can thank God for his mercy that at this stage no lives have been lost, but the losses in peoplesʼ families and livelihoods have nevertheless been profound,” Mr Waterhouse said. “It has been heartening to see the community respond in sacrificial care for those in need. As a Church I know that many of you will have been praying and providing practical support already toward those needs. One of our elders has been providing chaplaincy/counselling support to evacuees at the Hobart City Hall. It has also been encouraging to know that Presbyterians on the mainland have enquired how they might support the relief effort.