Responding to Haiti

Dear Friends in the Diocese of Olympia,

 

As your recently appointed Episcopal Relief and Development Coordinator for the Diocese of Olympia, I have been in the process of contacting each church in the Diocese this past week to both introduce myself and to tell you about ERD Sunday on February 21st.  I had sent emails to about half of the congregations when, tragically, my letter writing was interrupted by the devastating events in Haiti this week.  

 

I urge you in the strongest possible terms to both pray for the residents of Haiti and do whatever you can to financially assist the efforts there.  Episcopal Relief and Development has established a Haiti Fund and resources are already being channeled to the Port-au-Prince area.

 

Haiti is the largest (membership) diocese in the Episcopal Church and is primarily concentrated in the capital city. The cathedral and at least two other Episcopal churches, the Bishop's residence, the Diocese's convent and college were all destroyed in the quake.  Bishop Duracin and his wife (slightly injured) survived but Catholic Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot was killed in the quake.  

 

The total death toll will likely be in the tens of thousands. This is a serious catastrophe laid upon the already belabored souls of our brothers and sisters. Stay informed.  Keep praying.  Support as you are able.

 

Visit www.er-d.org for further updates on Haiti and also information on ERD Sunday.  Rescue and relief are the immediate needs but rebuilding the lives, property, and infrastructure of an entire city will take years.  Episcopal Relief and Development will be there for the long haul.  Your immediate financial and spiritual support today, on February 21st, and in the coming months will be greatly appreciated. 

 

Peace,

 

Chuck Hamilton

Episcopal Relief and Development Coordinator for the Diocese of Olympia

253-839-5546

 

 

 

The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs   The Episcopal Church: Facts about the Diocese of Haiti and the aftermath of the earthquake   The world continues to watch after a devastating 7.0 earthquake destroyed much of Haiti, with the death toll mounting each day.  The Episcopal Church and Episcopal Relief & Development responded immediately.  The following fact sheet will assist in your continued reporting of the Haiti earthquake.   Please continue to check the special Haiti page for updated and additional information.   Updated information available from The Episcopal Church Office of Communication, including items from across the country on missionaries, church responses, persons in Haiti, etc. http://www.episcopalchurch.org/haiti.php