PHILLIPS – Churches plan to hold remembrance and giving services Sunday for people affected by the tsunami that struck countries on the Indian Ocean in December. Individuals and businesses in the area are also collecting relief funds.

The Phillips Shared Ministry and the Kingfield United Methodist Church plan special readings, songs, scripture, prayer and a chance for people to speak their feelings, the Rev. Norm Boulay said. He is the pastor of both churches.

It will be a normal service, he said, with some special pieces written about the devastation. There will also be a time for people to vent their frustrations and fears, he said.

A special offering will be held, and Boulay said that “every penny that is received will go for what it is meant for” – tsunami relief.

“Folks want to respond,” Boulay said, “and they’re not sure how or where, it’s just so mind-boggling.”

The two special services are scheduled at 9 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, at the Methodist Church on Main Street in Phillips and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the United Methodist Church on High Street in Kingfield.

Other church congregations, including Henderson Memorial Baptist Church in Farmington, are finding ways to donate to help those affected. Donations were also being accepted through the American Baptist Association’s One Great Hour of Sharing.

In addition, two Farmington women, Mary Sue Hayden and Bernadette Harvell, are collecting funds for the international relief organization CARE to aid tsunami victims

The women hope that community members will find their own creative ways to raise funds for the project, they stated in a news release.

Additionally, at Wal-Mart in Farmington, a bowl set on a table Sunday was filled with customers’ donations for tsunami relief.

Contributions may also be sent directly to Church World Service, Tsunami Recovery, account No. 6970, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515. People may make donations by credit card by calling 1-800-297-1516, extension 222, or by going online at www.churchworldservice.org.

Money may be sent to “The Tsunami Relief Fund,” in care of Mary Sue Hayden, 342 Knowlton Corner Road, or Bernadette Harvell, 398 Knowlton Corner Road, both in Farmington, ME 04938. Funds may also be dropped off at Franklin Savings Bank, 197-209 Main St., P.O. Box 825, Farmington, ME 04938-0825.

More information or questions on that relief fund may be obtained by calling Hayden at 778-9247 or Harvell at 778-2981.