A DISTRICT WIDE CALL TO PRAYER FOR FORT McMURRAY
 
Rev. Brent Trask, District Superintendent, is calling all members and friends of the Alliance family in Alberta to set aside the hour 3-4 pm on Sunday afternoon for a concentrated hour of prayer focused on the people of Fort McMurray.  Our displaced Fort City Church will be meeting in that hour for a time of worship at Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton.  All evacuees are being invited to join in this time of worship and prayer. Thank you for 'calling' your people to pray this Sunday, May 8 afternoon at 3 pm.

 
The Western Canadian District if actively committed to making a prayerful and practical response to the crisis ongoing in Fort McMurray.

Beulah Alliance Church, who is working alongside Fort City Church, has set up a page for those who can offer accommodation or volunteer.  Please click here to be connected with the Fort McMurray Assistance website. Please click here to see the updates from Fort City Church.
 
We have 2 churches in Fort McMurray and realize the crisis at hand will now create an environment and focus for both prayer and ministry in the coming months.
Here are some practical things to consider in making a response to this crisis:

1. We are in touch with both Rev. Doug Doyle (Fort City Church) and Rev. Clay Hilton (Native Fellowship Church) as to immediate needs and response requests and these will be shared as they become available.

2. All of our church leaders and members to our knowledge are safe and out of harms way.

3. UPDATE (5/6/16): The District has created a new account (Canadian Ministries - Fort McMurray) in offering financial support to our churches in Fort McMurray.

Funds donated to the crisis through the C&MA will go in their entirety to addressing the immediate and long terms needs of the Fort McMurray community. In the short term, funds will be used to keep both of our church ministries viable so that they can serve as ongoing platforms for practical and spiritual support when residents of Fort McMurray return.  While the government is matching donations made through the Red Cross, the practicality of making a donation through the Alliance allows us immediate access to the funds donated, giving our pastoral teams on the ground in Fort McMurray the ability to respond immediately and with spiritual sensitivity to the needs around them.

The Alliance will also be partnering with other organizations such as Samaritans Purse and the Salvation Army in a cooperative effort to support and not duplicate services being provided.  We will also be working with our National Ministry Centre to focus and target prioritized needs in the coming days.

Thanks for your thoughtful and prayerful gift at this time... we will provide regular updates on our website where donations are going in making a difference in the lives of those displaced by the fire in Fort McMurray.

- Rev. Brent Trask - District Superintendent.
 

4. We would encourage each church to take up a compassion and relief offering in the coming weeks to help us support the needs of the church and community in Fort McMurray.

5. We encourage people to donate through their local Alliance church or else directly to:

C&MA 333-30 Springborough Blvd SW Calgary AB T3H 0N9
(Cheques Payable To: The Western Canadian District of C&MA  Memo: Fort McMurray Relief)
 
ONLINE DONATION WILL BE IN PLACE MONDAY MAY 9
PLEASE CHECK BACK AT www.transformcma.ca FOR DETAILS
 

6. We encourage our churches throughout the Western Canadian District to make known any provisions their congregants may have related to billeting those displaced by the fire and any unique resources to be of assistance to evacuees. This will become helpful as we become aware of needs for assistance in this regard. Please click here to be connected with the Fort McMurray Assistance website.

7. We invite you all to join in prayer to surround the entire Wood Buffalo region at this time - realizing in the coming days there will be endless opportunities for our church to be the 'hands and feet' of Jesus in meeting the practical and spiritual needs of those who call Fort McMurray home. Some prayer points:

• Pray for Pastor Doug Doyle, Pastor Clay Hilton, their families and pastoral teams at Fort City Church and Native Christian Fellowship as they care for their own needs and continuing to shepherd those in their care.
• Pray for first responders and other aid workers around the region for their safety, energy, and health as they continue to assist during the crisis.
• Pray for rain for the region and the containment for the fire
• Pray for those who have been displaced or are in need to be met with help from those showing God's love and compassion. 

8. UPDATE (5/6/16):  Sharing Hope in Crisis: An information Session for volunteers, pastors, host homes, or those interested in serving, will be on Sunday, May 8th 6:30-8:30 pm. This is an information session offering basic crisis care. Learn how to share God's love and comfort and be God's presence in crisis. Learn more about upcoming opportunities to serve. The Session will be facilitated by The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team and hosted by Beulah Alliance Church, 17504 98A Ave, Edmonton, AB This is a free event. For more information, please click here.  Please share this information with your volunteers, and with churches in your area that you know are actively supporting evacuees.