The situation within and around Jasper National Park continues to weigh heavily upon our hearts. The Northern Spirit Regional Council has been in contact with the leadership of Jasper United Church and their minister. We have put into place supports for the interim and will be seeking to build plans for the future weeks and months. It is with heavy hearts that we can now confirm that the Jasper United Church and manse were both destroyed by the fire.
Our hearts are warmed, however, by the response from those within the wider region and national church who are wanting to do everything they can to support this community. We request that you continue to offer prayers for the community of faith, the wider community of Jasper, surrounding communities and people, and importantly the first responders who are doing everything they can to mitigate the devastation.
On July 29, Rev. Helen Reed, our Executive Chair, posted this update to our Regional Council Facebook group:
At 12:30 p.m. today, the Municipality of Jasper released a map and a list of where the fire left buildings and where it took them.
In the list is confirmation that the United Church of Jasper has been destroyed by the fire. We thought this was so, but this stark listing leaves no room for hope that it survived.
But hope, itself, survives. Hope because there were many places spared, hope because people were not killed, hope because we hear of the determination of those who evacuated to return to and rebuild in this community that they love.
Hope because we know that through valleys God is with us, walking with us to what is at the other end of a journey we don’t know or recognize yet.
To all those who have lost their homes, businesses and churches in this fire, please know that we are standing with you, we are grieving with you. God is right beside you, accepting your tears, holding you in your grief, filling you with strength and courage for what lies ahead, deeply loving you as only God can do.
Should your communities of faith, or individuals within and beyond, wish to contribute financial support to support relief efforts, you are welcome to do so by donating to the emergency relief fund of the Northern Spirit Regional Council by e-transfer to northernspirit@united-church.ca or via cheque sent to the Northern Spirit office: 8510 95 ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T6C 1Y7. Please indicate in the memo line that the money is being sent for wildfire emergency relief, and include your contact information (name, address, and phone number) for tax receipt purposes. If you do not provide contact information the Region will not be able to issue you a tax receipt for your donation.
Thank you for your support and prayers.
