| EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO HAITI EARTHQUAKE DISASTER Dear People of God, Yesterday's earthquake in Haiti is a catastrophe on an almost incomprehensible scale, striking the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. With the estimated death toll already rising into the hundreds of thousands and food, water and medicine for millions in perilously short supply, those of us who can act must act immediately. I urge you to join your parish family in prayer for the Haitian people. Pray, too, for the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, which is the largest diocese in the Episcopal Church and our sister diocese in Province 2. May Almighty God, who is sovereign in all things, give wisdom and courage to Bishop Zaché Duracin, who will be called to bear great responsibility and great grief in the days ahead. This Sunday, we will take up a special collection, to be directed to Haitian Relief through Episcopal Relief and Development. In the meantime, please give directly - as I already have - to Episcopal Relief and Development at https://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php or to the relief organization of your choice. As ever, remember what our patron saint, James the Just, tells us: "Be doers of the Word and not hearers only." Under the Mercy,
A Prayer for the People of Haiti by Taylor Burton-Edwards The seas roar, the earth shakes, buildings crumble, roofs topple and walls turn to dust. Have mercy on the people of Haiti, O God. Nations watch, alarms sound, Give us compassion to weep with those who weep, O God. People die, families mourn, Make us swift to help and persistent to rebuild, Through Christ, the solid Rock. Amen.
The Rev. J. Christopher King, SCP, DPhil (Oxon.) http://www.stjameslongbeach.org 516-432-1080 (church) |