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General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Prayer Guides
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Indiana Area Office of The United
Methodist Church
1100 West 42nd Street Suite #210
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317.924.1321 (Voice)
317.924.4859 (Fax)
CONTACT: Lynne DeMichele 317/924-13321
Statement by Indiana Bishop Woodie W. White
on the terrorist action of Sept. 11
"No statement, no words can begin to express our collective grief today as a community of faith, as members of the world community. To say that we grieve with those injured and the thousands who have suffered losses is too small a gesture in the face of such incalculable pain. Today's monstrous acts of terrorism wound us all.
Our faith teaches us, however, that nothing can separate us from the love of God. It is to God whom we appeal now -- for strength, for wisdom and for the courage to love, even those who have brought so much harm. We pray and continue to pray for personal healing where it is so badly needed, but also for the healing of the world community of which we are all a part.
I have called upon all United Methodist pastors to open their churches for prayer and reflection and to provide a special and significant time for prayer for the nation and for the victims of the tragedy this Sunday."
NOTE: Bishop Woodie W. White is the leader of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church. There are 1,350 United Methodist congregations in the state, representing approximately 225,000 lay members. Below is a copy of the statement of the United Methodist Council of Bishops.
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Communication from the Council of Bishops The United Methodist Church
To the People of God called United Methodist,
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. We write you to express our sorrow at the tremendous loss of life and our horror at the violence of the attacks that occurred in the United States today. "When one suffers, all suffer together". We suffer today with those who lost loved ones, suffered injuries, or experienced broken and bruised spirits.
As we watched with the world, we were overwhelmed by feelings of shock, fear, anger and grief. We are stunned by calculated disregard for human life and the violation of the human community. We are concerned that some people are already reacting with accusations of blame, distrust of strangers, and cries for retaliation.
In this crisis moment for the United States and the world, Christians are called to bear witness to the biblical promise of peace that passes all understanding. Every Christian is called to make "peace-with-justice" a way of life. This is yet another day of peace- making for people who follow the Prince of Peace. Let us pray for President Bush and other world leaders as they respond to this crisis. The Council of Bishops of your church asks every church to take three actions in support of peace at this time.
Open your church tonight and tomorrow for prayer for wisdom, comfort and healing.
Encourage members and friends to donate blood through your local blood bank as the gift of life for those injured.
Encourage contributions to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), for Domestic Disaster Response, #901670-1. Gifts may be made through local United Methodist Churches, or by calling (800) 554-8583.
Finally, we encourage Christians everywhere to reach out and join hands with leaders of all faith communities, to offer private expressions of concern and to give public witness to the possibility and the promise of peace among the peoples of the world.
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Bishop Elias Galvan
President of the Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church