Christchurch Earthquake Liturgy

I have wanted to blog meaningfully about the earthquake, but found myself inadequate, preparing for this Sunday's service has been hard enough, but unlike a blog post I have no choice about doing that. Three posts about the earthquake that I believe are meaningful and am not ashamed to be leaning on in my own preparation for tomorrow:

• Frank Rees: The God of the Tsunami
• Paul Windsor: Christchurch Comfort
• Doug Chaplin: Praying in and after the Christchurch Disaster

Christchurch Earthquake: Worse This Time

Half a year after the last one Christchurch has been hit again.  This time there has been considerable loss of life, although again it is noticable how living in a developed country improves your chances in such events. Love and prayers to all in Christchurch.  Those who want to donate should go to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army.  Go here to see before and after pics of the city's cathedral.

A group of new pastors I'm in touch with have been discussing what we will preach on this Sunday in light of the event.  My texts for this Sunday,

• 1 Kings 19:9-18 (for the children's talk)
• Luke 13:1-9 (for the grown up's talk)

Another Canterbury (NZ) Earthquake

To those Cantabrians who are feeling shaken and frightened by this latest renewal of tectonic violence, sympathies and prayers, to those (read the comments) who are totally unimpressed and unfazed by a mere 5.0 quake, "good on ya!"  Personally, I continue to eye the volcano my suburb is named after with distrust and suspicion.

7.4 Earthquake Hits Christchurch, NZ

Thoughts and prayers go out to those in Christchurch who would have been rudely awakened last night by a massive earthquake and are now without power, water and sewerage.  Thankfully, it looks like noone is seriously hurt at this stage.  Civil defence have been reminding people to check on their neighbours' safety and well being.  Power should be back for most people today and water and sewerage in a few days.  Meanwhile tankers will be bringing water to collection points by the end of the day.

Just spare a thought for the victims of the smaller Haitian earthquake where hundreds of thousands are dead and the infrastructure is still not back.  It is the power of poverty, not the richter scale that determines how likely you are to die in an earthquake.

Meanwhile I await with trepidation the insane geological interpretations of NZ's resident religious nutters.