18th May 2025  

A tornado storm system tore across the central US over the past few days. At least 25 people died in Missouri and south-eastern Kentucky.  Homes were torn in two, and power lines brought down across the Midwest and Great Lakes leaving 140,000 properties in Missouri and Kentucky were left without power. Officials in Missouri report that 5,000 buildings had been damaged. St Louis mayor Spencer said: "The loss of life and the destruction is truly, truly horrendous. We're going to have a lot of work to do in the coming days. There is no doubt there, but tonight we are focused on saving lives and keeping people safe and allowing our community to grieve."

Loving God, we pry for our neighbours in the US suffering from the impacts of tornadoes over these past few days.  We ask your compasssion, care and comfort for all who grieve for those they love and all who are devaststed by the loss of their homes and livlihoods.  Be with your church that oit may be a source of empotional and stiritual strength and a practical support to people in need.  Protect all who are working to restore powerlines and to ensure buildings are safe.  Guide the authorities that they will undertake their work with professionalism and compassion.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

FareShare is the UK’s largest food redistribution charity, handing out good-to-eat surplus food and donations from the food industry to a network of over 8,500 charities and community groups. Müller UK & Ireland donated the equivalent of four million meals through its partnership with FareShare. Müller’s partnership with FareShare is an important part of the company’s Sustainability Action Plan, that helps reduce environmental impact but also supports wellbeing. Hospices, food banks and homelessness shelters all benefit from Müller’s consistent donations of quality dairy products, like milk and yogurts.  “Our purpose goes beyond simply making dairy products: we’re here to play our part in supporting the people and communities who need it most,” said Victoria Bryant of Müller UK & Ireland. “Working with FareShare has enabled us to make a direct impact by providing nutritious dairy products to those who might otherwise go without it.” FareShare.org collects food donations every day and sorts them at regional warehouses across the UK.  The latest figures show that FareShare redistributed the equivalent of 128 million meals—that’s 4 meals every second.  Diverting 55,000 tons of food from landfills preventing in 95,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

You can find out more about Fareshare here.

Almighty, eternal and loving God,

we give you praise and worship your holy name.

You alone are worthy to receive all honour and glory

and praise and blessing.

You alone are deserving of our worship.

You alone are our Creator, our Lord and our Saviour.

We bow down to you and give you glory.

We thank you for your creation.

We honour you for all the blessings of this life.

We praise you for sending Your Son to be our Saviour.

We bless you for sending the Holy Spirit

who leads us into truth

and points the way to goodness.

We thank you for your love and grace,

and we worship you forever.

Amen.