Thousands of Christians across south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are responding to the Asian tsunami disaster by praying, giving money and helping the bereaved.

Virtually every parish in Portsmouth’s Anglican diocese is handing over weekly church collections to the appeal fund, or holding special fund-raising events to help the emergency efforts.

Churches were thrown open so people could pray for the victims of the disaster, and many Christians and others observed Wednesday’s (January 5) three-minute silence in local churches. Clergy have also given pastoral support to bereaved families and friends.

And the Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Kenneth Stevenson, has pledged that half the money from his annual Lent Appeal should go towards those affected by the disaster. His appeal normally raises up to £20,000 from worshippers each year for worthy projects within the local community and abroad.

He said: “I’ve been staggered by people’s generosity and thoughtful responses to the tsunami disaster throughout the UK. It comes as no surprise to discover that Christians in my diocese are proving to be every bit as generous and thoughtful in their responses too.”

Prayers and worship resources were placed on the diocese’s website (www.portsmouth.anglican.org) soon after the Boxing Day disaster and have been widely used – by worshippers around the world as well as locals.

The Rev Peter Hall, vicar of St John’s, Fareham, led a Christian service at Neville Lovett Community School at the end of a school day this week to remember Heather Gill, who worked there as a learning assistant. The 42-year-old, from Lee-on-Solent, was on holiday in Thailand with her family when the tsunami claimed her life.

Around 250 pupils and staff came, and were encouraged to lay small glass beads by a cross and candle during the service in her memory. The display has remained in the school as a reminder of the school’s loss.

Assemblies or acts of worship have also been led by the Rev Hugh Wright at Oakfield Primary School in Ryde; by the Rev Mark Whatson at All Saints’ Primary in Freshwater; and by the Rev Mike Exell at Trinity Middle School in Newport, all on the Isle of Wight.

Prayers for the victims of the disaster have been said at every church service since Boxing Day. Those affected will be prayed for again during worship services this Sunday. (January 9)

The dean of Portsmouth Cathedral abandoned his planned sermon on Sunday morning (January 2) and simply asked worshippers to talk to each other about the disaster. There were also collections at all its services. Its Peace Globe, which holds dozens of candles, has been placed in the centre of the building and scores of people have prayed and lit candles. The cathedral is open daily from 7.30am until 5pm.

Worshippers will open St George’s Church, Waterlooville, all day on January 12 for private prayer and the chance to light candles. And St Peter’s Church in Curdridge is holding a special service focusing on the disaster on January 23 at 6.30pm.

Among the ideas to raise funds for the disaster appeal are a concert at St Mary’s, Liss; a fundraising meal after Sunday’s (January 9) morning service at St Wilfrid’s, Cowplain; and a sale of unwanted books, tapes, CDs, videos and DVDs at Holy Trinity, Bembridge, on January 15.

Churches of all denominations in the Bishop’s Waltham area raised more than £2,500 in a disaster appeal day at St John’s Church, Shedfield on Monday (January 3). Parishioners packed two vans and a car with supplies which will be flown out from Aldershot this Saturday (January 8). The day finished with a prayer vigil.

Youngsters from All Saints’ Church, East Meon, held a Bring and Buy sale of unwanted Christmas presents after their church service last Sunday (January 2). Hannah Culley, 13, and her sister India, 10, had the idea and hosted the sale, which raised £360. They plan to repeat the event on January 19 at Dunshurst School. Other donations from the church amounted to £1,200.

Worshippers from St Marks’ and St Edmund’s Churches in Wootton are knitting blankets to send out, and holding coffee mornings this weekend. There was also a special service of prayer at St Edmund’s Church at midday today (Friday 7 January).

And among the staggering amounts of money already collected by churches for the disaster fund are: £1,815 at St Andrew’s, Hayling Island; £270 at St John’s Ryde; £800 at St Mary’s, Portchester; £1,000 at St Barnabas, Swanmore, near Bishop’s Waltham; £1,300 at Holy Trinity, Bembridge; £510 at All Saints’, Denmead; £278 at St Mary’s, Carisbrooke; £500 at St Mary’s, Fratton, Portsmouth; and £300 at St Wilfrid’s, Cowplain. Many worshippers have, of course, also contributed via the Disasters Emergency Committee.