At a recent meeting of National Church Leaders it was agreed to encourage churches to be open on Saturday 30 April so that throughout New Zealand members of church communities and the community at large could pray for the peoples of the Pacific rim following the recent disasters in Haiti, Japan, Greymouth and Christchurch.

We want to acknowledge the uncertainty of life for so many people. We want to offer the opportunity for people to be blessed by using our buildings as places that may enable them to pray, we want to encourage our people to intercede for those who have lost so much, and we want to acknowledge the pain that could be ahead for so many who have lost loved ones, homes, and familiar communities.

The date has been deliberately chosen as it immediately follows Easter when we celebrate God who shows ultimate love and empathy sharing the pain of the cross, but a God also who gives ultimate hope with the gift of resurrection and new beginnings arising out of despair.

At midday we ask that participating churches share a brief liturgy, which may include the following:
- A brief theological statement concerning our hope in the crucified and risen Christ.
- An appropriate scripture such as Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 23, Romans 8:38-39
- The Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13
- The song Morning Light - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV69zhtw5wE

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