2nd April 2026

This morning, at approximately 4:21 am local time, a powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake has struck in the Molucca Sea region northeast of Indonesia, with aftershocks as high as magnitude 5, and Indonesia's meteorology agency reporting tsunami waves in West Halmahera at 0.3m high and Bitung at 0.2m ‌high. A 70-year-old woman was killed after being crushed by building debris in North Sulawesi. Footage from a search and rescue team in Manado shows residents and officials walking through the rubble at a sports complex. at Siloam Hospital in Manado medical staff have set up makeshift treatment areas, out in the open and inside vehicles. Indonesia's disaster management agencies remain vigilant as the region continues to experience frequent seismic activity. 

Loving God, in love for our neighbours in Indonesia, we bring to you our concerns for their welfare following the earthquake this morning.  We ask your care and loving comfort for the family and friends of the woman who died.  We seek your healing for all who are injured and your calming peace for all who are anxious and fearful. We thank you for those who have established medical treatment centres and are seeking to support people in need.  We ask your protection for those seeking survivors trapped in destroyed or damaged buildings, and for those now seeking to restore or maintain power and water supplies, and make buildings safe. May the international community support the authorities in Indonesia as they go through this difficult and challenging time.  Bless your church in Indonesia, may it be a source of practical, emotional and spiritual support for all.  We pray in the name of Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Buckingham Canal in India’s Tamil Nadu state was once heavily pollution and choked with a build-up of plastic waste and invasive weeds. Now, a 1.8-mile stretch of of the canal has been cleaned and revitalised following manual clean-up efforts in Cuddalore district by 600 paid volunteers. 750 kilograms (around 2,000 pounds) of rubbish was pulled from the canal along with heaps of invasive prosopis plants. The waterflow has been restored.  The embankments were strengthened to prevent erosion, before 3,000 Red, Indian, and tall-stilt  mangrove trees were planted to improve the ability of the canal to keep the water clean and biodiverse, as well as slow storm waters that might flood the town and canal. 

Loving God,

we give your thanks and praise

that you love us so much.

 We thank you that you forgive us our sin

and enable us to begin each day anew.

 We thank you for all that you give us.

We thank you for Jesus,

that he lived our life

and taught us to love and care for one another.

 We thank you that he died but conquered death

and now lives with you our Father and the Holy Spirit.

All praise honour and glory be to you loving God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.