Lawrence congregations aid south Asia

Local groups seek donations from residents.

By: Lea Kahn
   Hoping to help the victims of the Dec. 26 tidal wave spawned by an undersea earthquake in southeast Asia, several Lawrence Township religious congregations have undertaken fund-raising efforts.
   The town’s two Presbyterian churches and the Church of St. Ann are accepting donations at services, while Adath Israel Congregation is directing donations to a New York-based fund.
   The Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville are working through the Presbyterian Church USA to funnel money to the victims, the ministers of the two churches said.
   An announcement seeking financial donations was made at church services Sunday, said the Rev. Nina Reeder, pastor of the Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church.
   Persons who wish to contribute may do so by making a check payable to the Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church and noting on the check that it should be put into the East Asia Relief Fund, the Rev. Reeder said.
   A special prayer service for the tsunami victims was held Tuesday night at the Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Reeder said.
   The Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville on Main Street plans to take up a special offering for the victims at the Sunday worship service, said the Rev. Patricia Daley, who is the interim pastor.
   Congregation members were alerted to the fund-raising effort at the Jan. 2 worship service, the Rev. Daley said. Persons who wish to contribute may make a check payable to the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, and note on the check that it is earmarked for the earthquake relief fund, she said.
   The Presbyterian Church USA’s Presbyterian Disaster Assistance arm is working with regional church partners and their relief organizations in the affected areas, the Rev. Daley said, adding that congregations have been informed to send money and not clothing.
   At the Church of St. Ann on Lawrence Road, a collection was taken Sunday for the victims, said the Rev. Vincent Gartland, minister of the Roman Catholic congregation.
   The money will be handed over to the Catholic Relief Service, which is already "on the ground" in most of the affected areas, the Rev. Gartland said.
   The church plans to hold an evening of prayer and lamentation Friday at 7:30 p.m. in response to the tsunami disaster, the Rev. Gartland said. The service will last about an hour.
   Congregants have been invited to join in a month of prayer and fasting in solidarity with the victims and to contribute financially through a special collection to be used by Catholic Relief Services for relief efforts, the Rev. Gartland said.
   At Adath Israel Congregation, the synagogue’s newsletter bulletin requested donations to be sent to the Joint Distribution Committee’s Southeast Asia Relief fund at 847A 2nd Ave., New York, NY 10017.