CHURCHES in and around Gloucestershire will be united in their prayers this Sunday for all those affected by the Asian tsunami tragedy.

The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Rev Michael Perham, has issued a message and special prayer (below) to clergy to help focus and support their prayers and fundraising activities. Anyone else wishing to pray for those affected by the tragedy is also invited to use this prayer.

A special service to pray for all those affected by the disaster was held in Gloucester Cathedral yesterday.

"We remembered all those closely affected by the disaster in our prayers and pledged our support for those helping," said the Dean of Gloucester, the Very Rev Nick Bury.

"We have chosen that day because it is the day we remember the three magi bringing gifts to the child in the manger. As they came with gifts and to pray, it seemed the most appropriate day."

In a message Bishop Michael said: "Churches, as well as individual Christian people, will want to respond in every way they can to the catastrophe in Asia on Boxing Day, the full extent of which is only just emerging. Events like these touch us all deeply and test our faith.

"The Christian response is one of prayer and generosity. I hope people will find churches open so that they may go in to pray and it will be helpful if they find there some suggested forms of prayer to use. Not every church can be left open all day, but many are.

"Gloucester Cathedral is open each day and people are, as always, welcome to go in to pray and to light a candle."

The bishop's special prayer: Holy God, in the face of tragedy beyond our comprehension, we renew our trust in you who sent your Son at this season to be our Saviour. In your mercy give healing to the suffering, protection to the homeless, comfort to those who mourn, wisdom to governments, fortitude to those who bring relief, a generous spirit to us all, and, to the dead, the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The bishop also urged: "I encourage everyone to be generous in supporting the various appeals for help. Patterns of giving change and people are more likely now to respond to television, radio or newspaper appeals than to special collections in church. But whether they have a special collection or not, I do ask churches to encourage generosity and to help channel funds if there is a need to do so."

RICK BAILEY, of Frampton-on-Severn and recently in Sri Lanka on retail and logistics work, and Neil Carmichael are campaigning for drugs and medicines to be collected and sent to Sri Lanka in response to the growing need for proper medical care for the survivors of the Indian Ocean earthquake.

Mr Bailey, whose wife runs the village post office, said: "I have been in touch with a business colleague of mine in Sri Lanka and he has described a desperate situation.

"To be really practical and helpful, we should sending medicines and we are now in the process of establishing the exact requirements. Medicines are easy to transport and urgently needed."

Mr Carmichael, prospective Tory Parliamentary candidate for Stroud, added: "We must act speedily and effectively to prevent more suffering.

"We are looking for suppliers and manufacturers of medicines and drugs who might be willing to help with this project through donations. Individuals, too, can help by providing assistance or finance for the project. Please contact us if you want to help."

Mr Carmichael can be contacted by email at ox97@dial.pipex.com or by phone on 01453 757990.

A WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE woman is interested in hearing from anyone interested in forming a twinning group to link with a town affected by the Asian tsunami disaster.

Theresa Thomson, of Cherry Orchard, would like to set up such a group to stop the disaster going out of people's minds once it leaves the headlines.

She said: "The idea would be to provide longer-term and more targeted support to help a community rebuild itself.

"This could be done through fundraising, donating equipment and materials and fostering greater cultural understanding with a part of the world that the West predominantly considers a holiday destination."

Anyone interested in the idea can contact Theresa on 01453 842705 so that a meeting can be organised to consider the best way forward.

She added: "I would very much appreciate helpful suggestions and feed-back as I have no experience of organising this kind of action."

For a full round-up of area support plans see this week's Gazette.