The Church Responds in the Wake of Hurricane Melissa 

St John’s Black River

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

The Rt Revd Leon Golding, Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, has shared an urgent update following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa – the most powerful storm ever recorded in Jamaica. USPG is working with the Anglican Alliance and the Diocese as part of a shared emergency response.

On 28 October 2025, Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica’s south coast as a Category 5 storm, bringing sustained winds of 185 mph, devastating storm surges, and torrential rainfall. The scale of destruction is unprecedented: more than 120,000 buildings have been damaged, 90,000 families displaced, and national economic losses estimated at up to US$7 billion. The death toll in Jamaica has risen to at least 32, within a wider Caribbean total of 75.

St Thomas Lacovia

The Anglican Diocese itself has suffered heavy losses. Around 50 church properties were destroyed or severely damaged, with nine church buildings lost entirely including St John’s (Black River), St Thomas’s (Lacovia), St Luke’s (Balaclava), and St Thomas’s (Bluefields). Several diocesan schools and community facilities across St Elizabeth, Trelawny, Westmoreland, Manchester, St James, St Ann and Portland have also sustained serious damage. Many congregations are mourning loved ones while also trying to cope with the loss of their homes and the work they depend on.

Watch:

In response, the Diocese has launched a coordinated relief plan. The objective is clear: “to serve communities affected by Hurricane Melissa with compassion, dignity, and coordinated relief rooted in Christian faith and service”.

Immediate priorities include:

• Providing emergency shelter, food, and pastoral care for displaced families
• Clearing debris and reopening access to isolated communities
• Supporting the restoration of electricity and communication lines
• Assessing and beginning repairs on damaged churches and schools
• Offering trauma support to clergy, teachers, and parishioners

A contribution from USPG will go directly into the pot administered through the Diocese’s appeal. By working in partnership with the Anglican Alliance and the Diocesan Disaster Response Task Force, we are helping to ensure that resources reach those most affected as quickly and effectively as possible.

To give, visit: https://www.anglicandioceseja.org/letter-to-the-church-after-hurricane-melissa/

Join us in prayer:

Gracious and Merciful God,

We lift up the people of Jamaica and the surrounding islands in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Lord, you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. We ask you now to draw near to all who are suffering, to those who have lost homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. Surround them with your peace and comfort in the midst of fear and uncertainty.

We pray especially for the communities where the destruction has been greatest. Open pathways for relief to reach those who are still cut off and without means of communication. Strengthen hands and renew spirits to the Diocesan Disaster Response Task Force who are bringing hope and practical support.

Lord, we remember also the churches, schools, and diocesan buildings that have been damaged or destroyed. May they soon be restored as places of worship, learning, and community once again, symbols of your enduring presence among your people.

We trust in your promise that even in the storm, you are with us, and that from the ruins, you will bring renewal.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen