We hold in our hearts the residents of San Ramon and the East Bay region of California, who experienced a magnitude 3.1 earthquake on December 16, 2025. Though no significant damage or injuries were reported, we offer our prayers and compassion to all affected by this natural event and the ongoing seismic activity in the region. May this community find strength, safety, and peace during this time of uncertainty.
We hold in our hearts the people of Gaza, Palestine, who faced the devastating impact of Winter Storm Byron on December 11, 2025. Heavy rains and freezing temperatures flooded tent encampments and displacement sites, leaving hundreds of thousands of families without dry shelter, blankets, or adequate warmth as they struggle through an already difficult winter. We pray for comfort, safety, and swift humanitarian relief for all those affected, especially the most vulnerable among them.
On December 14, 2025, a terrorist attack struck Sydney's Bondi Beach in Australia, claiming 15 lives during a Hanukkah celebration honoring the Jewish community, with dozens more injured and hospitalized in the aftermath. This tragedy, the deadliest terror incident in Australian history, has devastated families and communities across the nation. We hold in our hearts all those lost, their loved ones, and the survivors as they navigate this profound grief and loss.
The people of Ukraine, particularly in the Sumy and Zaporizhzhia regions, are experiencing tremendous suffering as ongoing military strikes continue to devastate their communities. On December 14, 2025, Russian forces launched daytime attacks across these regions, injuring at least 11 people. We lift up in prayer all those affected by this conflict and hold close our hopes for peace and lasting healing.
Devastating floods have swept across Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond, affecting communities in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Poland, United Kingdom, and Morocco, claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions from their homes. In Indonesia alone, 1,030 people have lost their lives with 205 still missing, representing one of the nation's most catastrophic flooding disasters in recent years. We hold in our hearts all those who grieve, all those displaced, and all those working tirelessly in rescue and recovery efforts across these stricken regions.