WCC News: Amid California fires, “we have the certainty of the accompaniment of the love of God”

Rev. Prof. D. Neal D. Presa is executive presbyter of the Presbytery of San Jose, California is also a member of the World Council of Churches central and executive committees. He reflected on how people are affected by the ongoing wildfires, how churches are helping, and how God’s love serves as a comfort during times of disaster. 26 June 2023, Geneva, Switzerland: Rev. Prof. Dr Neal Presa of the Presbyterian Church (USA) shares a remark as the World Council of Churches central committee gathers in Geneva on 21-27 June 2023, for its first full meeting following the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 13 January 2025 Presa and his family, who live in northern California, are safe, but they know many people who have had to evacuate, and many whose homes, churches, and schools have burned. “Churches in the Presbytery of the Pacific, the regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) which encompasses Pacific Palisades and the surrounding communities, are providing shelter,” he said.  Churches of many denominations are providing beds, food, showers, and a caring presence to help people through great trauma.  “The ecumenical family can pray for all the affected individuals and communities in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the thousands of residents who have lost their homes and businesses and are dislocated, all firefighters who have been working tirelessly to contain the fires, all first responders who are providing aid, all caregivers who are providing care to the aged and infirmed, and, overall, hope and resilience in the midst of the smoldering ash, and a shared sense of community,” urged Presa. “We mourn the devastating and heartbreaking losses by so many in this and in every natural disaster.” He noted that there will be many kids who will wonder where they will go to school, many families who will wonder where they will find long-term shelter as they figure out what to do next, and pastors who already feel overwhelmed who will work with their congregations for how and where to continue worshipping and serving.  “In the midst of this, in the fragility of our lives and in the uncertainty of where winds blow and when winds and storms will end, we have the certainty of the accompaniment of the love of God and the God who is in the midst of the storms,” he said. “May the Lord and our shared sense of community be with all those in southern California and all of us who are in solidarity through prayers and who are ready to provide whatever support that would be helpful in the days, weeks, and months to come.” As fires devastate California, WCC extends prayers, condolences (WCC news release, 10 January 2025) WCC member churches in the United States of America See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland