A message about Haiti from Bishop Sauls
January 13, 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are all shocked and deeply distressed to hear about the earthquake in Haiti and with the emerging details of the devastation. Our Diocese has been blessed to be a companion of the Diocese of Haiti since 2003, and we have many friends there and important links to ministry. Not the least of our connections is that Reynold Alcuis, the Resident Manager at St. Agnes’ House, is a native of Haiti and, of course, still has many family members there. Not all of Reynold’s family has yet been accounted for.
We are beginning to hear from our friends in Haiti. I will keep you informed as more news comes.
For now, I am asking that every congregation take a special collection for at least the remaining Sundays in January, and if possible, beyond. I suggest that you either distribute the proceeds to one or more of the agencies with whom we work (Episcopal Relief and Development, Family Health Ministries, and Food for the Poor), the information for which can be found in the attachment. In the alternative, you can send funds to the Diocesan Office, which we will distribute evenly among the same three agencies. Other needs may be identified in the days and weeks ahead to which we can be more directly related. For now, however, there is no doubt that the immediate need is for relief fueled by our financial gifts.
Thank you for what I know will be a generous and heartfelt response.
Faithfully yours,
Stacy F. Sauls
Bishop of Lexington