There is of course, nothing I can say that hasn’t already been said hundreds of times with respect to the bushfire disaster still playing out in Victoria.
Still it must be said that I, like I suspect many of you, can’t quite comprehend what has happened.  I read this story in the Australian yesterday – a first hand account of confrontation with the wall of fire.  It is an almost unbelievable story of fear, courage and devastation.  To those who fought and are still fighting, we honour and pray for you.  To those who have lost love ones, and homes, we stand with you in this tragic moment.
I was in Melbourne on Monday, and the shock being felt by those who live in and around the city was incredible.  It seemed as though everybody I spoke with knew somebody who had either lost their house or had a narrow escape.  Tasmania is closely connected with Victoria, and even here there are a lot of people with direct relationships with those suffering property loss or injury.  I’m sure the same is true in other parts of the country as well.
If you would like to help, but are not sure where to start, here are three options to support organisations that are doing excellent work already, and will continue in the months ahead:

• Uniting Church  SHARE Community Appeal.
• Red Cross bushfire appeal
• The Salvos bushfire appeal

Perhaps skip a burger or a coffee one day this week, and put the $$ to good use.