We are issuing a call to join in prayers and generosity for Pastor Tulafono Maga (pastor of First Samoan CCCTOLT of Wittman AZ) and his family (A total of 12: including children and grandchildren, plus Pastor Tula and wife Tuli). A week ago Sunday, the Maga family spent most of the day at church until evening when they returned home to find their rental home engulfed in flames! Their home was a total loss, with the fire evidently caused by a faulty bathroom ceiling fan. Fortunately, they are received some assistance for a hotel last week by the Red Cross, and their landlord will be working on reconstruction and renovation so they will eventually be able to return. They feel grateful to God that no one was hurt.

The Rev. Bill Utke from Desert Garden UCC, Sun City West, has been helping this week to coordinate immediate fund raising efforts with the Sun City Churches. While it is still difficult at this point to have a firm estimate of what the Maga family might need over the next months in terms of housing costs and replacement of contents/clothing/etc., we are working with a ballpark figure of $15,000. We already have an estimate of a little over $6,000 committed.

The Maga family have spent the week trying to recover what they could of their belongings, but it was minimal. They did not have rental insurance. They are hoping to find temporary accommodations in an Airbnb in the vicinity of the kids’ school in Surprise, at least until the end of February when their landlord hopes to be finished with the reconstruction and renovation work.

People/churches can make donations by check mailed to the SWC office PO Box 44968, Phoenix AZ 85064-4968 or online by clicking on the Donate button on the website. Be sure to indicate it is a donation for Maga fire recovery.

Thank you for your covenantal generosity to the pastoral family of our newest UCC congregation!