Firestorms that have burnt across the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia over the past two days have claimed the lives of two family members of local Christians. Contrary to earlier reports, no church buildings are currently reported as having been destroyed.
The official police death toll currently stands at nine. The number of people still missing has been reduced from six to three. According to a spokesperson for the Uniting Church in South Australia, the dead include two grandchildren of local Uniting church members.
The Bishop of Willochra, Gary Weatherill, has been in regular contact with the Rev David Amery from the Eyre Ministry District and other local clergy who are currently visiting parishioners who have suffered property loss and are grieving. Among them is a young parishioner who found two people burnt alive in their vehicle.
"The man who found the bodies is a farmer who goes to the Eyre Ministry District congregation in Cummins. He has found it very difficult." said Bishop Weatherill. "We also have some farmers who have sustained significant property and stock losses,"
The two Anglican churches in the affected area - Eyre Ministry District in Cummins and the Port Lincoln parish " were not damaged. The Anglican Aboriginal Mission at Poonindie - which recently had a $50 000 restoration " has sustained some damage to the property but not to the church building.
"The trees around the Mission were all burnt. One fell and missed the church by a cat's whisker, but the church building is okay," Bishop Weatherill said.
Bishop Weatherill, who is based in Gladstone some 300 km north-east of the fire front, watched the unfolding tragedy from across the Spencer Gulf.
"It's all been petty nasty. Last night from 4 o'clock onwards, there was thick black smoke rolling in over our town," he said.
Teams of people from towns on the eastern side of the Gulf went in buses to fight the fires.
Anglicare and the Uniting church are yet to commence official relief efforts.
"We don't have huge reserves in this diocese, but we have some emergency Anglicare money that will be used to support people in need," said Bishop Weatherill.
"I've invited all the churches this Sunday to hold special services and remember the farming communities at the bottom of the Eyre Peninsula as well as those who lost their lives.
"In the face of these natural disasters it is tempting to blame God or to think that we are being punished. This is not a Christian view. We Christians believe strongly that whatever circumstances arise, God always intends good for us and God never plans or intends suffering for his people. However we do live in an imperfect world where, from time to time we are sharply reminded of how fragile our lives are.
"We should also give thanks for the fantastic support of the country fire services. They have been amazing."
Robin Dixon-Thompson who is the chairperson of the five Uniting Church congregations in the region has asked people to e-mail him prayers of support so they can be read out in the affected churches this Sunday. Please send prayers and statements of support to robwater@ozemail.com.au
