From the Couriermail.com.au:11.08am: Brent Clayton of West End in Brisbane writes:
Took this pic today.... Now we know where to go :)
From ACNS:
To All Australian Bishops
Dear brothers and sisters
The flood crisis has reached a critical level in Brisbane, Ipswich, the Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba, the Somerset and Scenic Rim Regions.
Some communities in southwestern Queensland that have so recently been devastated and are now being inundated again or facing renewed threats. People who had only just returned to homes and cleaned up are facing repeated evacuation and repeated devastation. Bundaberg, Condamine, Chinchilla, Dalby and other towns are in this desperate situation.
Floodwater in Rockhampton remains high with the Diocesan offices still under some two feet or so of water.
Today the Brisbane CBD is virtually empty with people told not to come to work. Public transport has more or less ceased. Power has been disconnected in many places. The Brisbane River is expected to reach its flood peak sometime tomorrow. Fears are that it will be worse than the 1974 flood.
This morning I assembled a small team to work with me in coordinating diocesan response and resources. We are working to assist the state Emergency Response Team to accommodate and care for those whose homes and businesses have been inundated or destroyed.
....
In this most trying situation we are encountering a variety of responses among our people. Many who have lost loved ones are in deep shock and grief, as are those who have lost homes, precious possessions, businesses and livelihoods. They need to know that they are not alone in their profound sense of loss. Our presence with them and our prayers for them can reassure them of our solidarity with them and point them to God’s presence with them in the midst of all they are going through.
....
In addition I commend the prayer below to you and ask if you would provide it to your people to use and include it in services this Sunday and in the weeks ahead:
Great God
whose love for us knows no bounds,
we pray for all those who are affected by floods:
comfort all who grieve for loved ones lost;
strengthen those who face destruction of homes, memories and livelihoods;
encourage and sustain police, defence force, SES and church personnel and
all who bring relief and assistance.
Fill our hearts with compassion and generosity for all in need.
As we face our greatest fears
may we know the assurance of your presence with us
and hold fast to the promise of new life beyond all adversity.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord
and who lives with you and the Holy Spirit
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
....
I have received many messages from bishops of the Anglican Communion offering their support and prayers. They are greatly appreciated.
Please be assured of my prayers and support as you care for those who seek assistance at this critical time.
With my best wishes
Yours in Christ
The Most Rev’d Dr Phillip Aspinall
Primate
H/T to Andrew Gerns at The Lead.
Many prayers for the flood-affected areas of Queensland, including Brisbane.
ReplyDeleteRe Brent's fighting comment in the Courier-Mail, I was reading about two Brisbane blokes a day or so ago, out and about in their dinghy, doing minor rescue stuff and helping people out, loudly singing "Row row row yer boat" as they proceeded down the river. That's Queensland.
ReplyDeleteCathy, I love the picture and the quote, and I love your story about the rescuers singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat".
ReplyDeleteCathy, I may have missed it, but how's your Dad? Did he go to his brother's house?
ReplyDeleteMimi, it's just so Australian, that response to flood.
ReplyDeleteSusan s, thank you for asking - he did indeed eventually accept that his house was going to be flooded and go to his brother's. There were a nasty few hours where I couldn't get through to my dad on the phone and when I rang my uncle he said the phones in that bit of Brisbane had been cut off and dad's property was already under two or three feet of water, but not to worry because he had plenty of time to get out (!). But my dad did happily turn up safe in the end. Thanks be to God.
There was a very bad train crash in Queensland in 2004 where the train was travelling at twice the speed limit and officials "said it was a miracle nobody died in the spectacular crash, which saw seven carriages derailed" and the train ended up "a twisted wreck". I take the quotes from the news story on the BBC, which says at the end:
ReplyDeletePassenger Frank Houdini said he was woken by the train leaving the tracks.
"The next thing I know, I've gone through the front door and there's no more train," he told national radio.
Also very Queensland.
Here's the link to that story if anyone is interested: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4015453.stm
Prayers ascending!
ReplyDelete