"To Pastors and Councils in the Christian Reformed Church

Those of us who work within the framework of the denominational ministries of the Christian Reformed Church, together with CRC members all over the United States and Canada, watched in horror as the tragic events of Sept. 11 began to unfold. We, along with all of you, struggle to deal with our feelings of shock, fear, loss, and anger. We also are in prayer for the victims, for our nations, and indeed for ourselves as we seek guidance and strength to respond as Christ would have us.

We want you to know that denominational agencies are already participating in an active response to this tragedy. The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) and CRC Chaplaincy Ministries are assisting in the response to help the survivors of this tragedy and their families. CRWRC regional manager Ellis Wykstra was just outside New York City at the time the World Trade Center was attacked. He is now consulting with Church World Service (CWS), other Christian and inter-faith partner groups, and CRC congregations in New York and New Jersey to organize our response. Teams of trained chaplains and counselors will be mobilized to provide emotional and spiritual support to survivors of the attacks, to the families of victims, and to search and rescue personnel.

As the reality of the scope and horror of this event sinks in, we are assessing what other responses may need to be undertaken. In the chaos and uncertainty that still prevails we are certain of several things:
1. "This is our Father’s world" and "...though the wrong seems oft so strong He is the ruler yet."
2. It is time to pray sincerely with and for our communities, and especially for those whose lives have been so severely affected.
3. It is time to be especially concerned for those citizens among us who are vulnerable and/or at risk.
There are those in our communities who are from the Middle-East, who are of a different religious faith, or who for some other reason may become convenient scapegoats for our own fear and anger. In this time of sorrow and need we want to follow Christ’s example in care for victims and those who are vulnerable.

The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE in the United States) is urging all member churches to observe a National Day of Mourning and Prayer on Sunday, Sept. 16. The Christian Reformed Church is a member denomination of the NAE and, therefore, this encouragement is passed on to you.

Again, please pray for all those involved in these terrible atrocities. Please also pray too that God will equip our national and international leaders with wisdom and an inner strength to follow the pathway of compassion and righteousness in the days ahead.

Please also read CRWRC’s press release that was sent to media contacts and most CRCs on Sept. 11. Another resource is a letter to pastors with an advisory message from the Disaster Response Team in CRWRC in cooperation with the Office of Chaplaincy Ministries should be posted soon. Any part of the information contained in this communication may be reproduced as you see fit.

Cordially in Christ, Peter Borgdorff
Executive Director of Ministries
Christian Reformed Church

William Veenstra
Canadian Ministries Director"

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