10th September 2026

The MV June Aster set sail from Manila ferrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members.  As it was nearing its destination of Coron, it caught fire. The fire began at around 18:45 local time (10:45 GMT) yesterday, and has been burning for at least 24 hours. At least five people have died and 86 are missing after a fire broke out on a ferry in the Philippines, the country's coastguard said.  Strong currents and thick smoke were making it difficult to control the fire and to rescue passengers, one of whom told reporters that he was in the sea for two hours before he was rescued. Survivors were taken to an evacuation centre in Barangay Turda, north of Marcilla.  

Loving God, we pray for all who were on board the MV June Aster yesterday.  Bring your comfort and peace to ll who now mounr the deaths of those they love and bring tour hope to all who await news.  Bless all who have been and continue to be engsaged in the search and rescue operation. We thank you for the medical teams caring for people injured and ask you to guide those seeking to find people still missing.  May all who were on board to accounted for. We also pray for your ghuidance for the authorities who will be investigating the fire.  May their findings result in action to prevent or limit the extent of fires on board ferries so all may travel in safety. In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

Bangladesh is experiencing a desasterous measles epedemic, with more than 95,760 suspected measles cases and 11,390 confirmed infections across all 64 districts. Under-fives account for over 80% of reported cases. In hospitals and in rural communities where medical professionals are not close to hand, Christian organisations are helping families.  Their response includes transporting sick children to hospitals, supplying vaccines to government facilities, and educating parents about symptoms, vaccination, and infection prevention.  So fr, more than 18.4 million children had been vaccinated through the nationwide measles-rubella campaign. The executive director of the Christian not-for-profit organisation HEED Bangladesh, Pastor Anwar Hossain, said, “I went there [Gazipur]  to console them and pray with them,” he said. “But what I saw there made me realise how serious the situation has become.” Subsequently HEED arranged ambulances for children suspected of having measles, helping children and their families to reach hospitals in Dhaka. Roman Catholic hospitals and clinics, Caritas Bangladesh, and Holy Cross Sisters have likewise been involved in treatment, vaccination, and awareness efforts.  In addition “All Assemblies of God churches and Hope Centers have also been holding special prayers,” the Bangladeshi Church’s chairman and general superintendent, Asa M. Kain, said. “We are vigilant and stand with families suffering as Bangladesh collectively tackles this crisis.”  

Creator, sustainer, and Saviour of all,

we give you

praise and honour, and glory and blessing.

Your love enfolds us as a gentle breeze.

You are the creator of all things

and we see your glory each bird and butterfly,

each mountain and valley

in the sunrise and sunset,

in the stars

and in the microscopic.

Yours, Lord is the Glory.

You are the God who formed us.

You are God who knows us,

and loves us,

who feeds us,

and blesses us.

Who has redeemed us from our sinfulness.

You are the alpha and omega the beginning and end.

Praise, glory, honour and power be yours

loving, eternal, God

Amen.