I don’t have time for a blog entry this week – but thought I’d use this space simply to share the letter I wrote to the congregation.
Perhaps the best question to reflect upon this week: Now that we know the folks from our church are safe, how do we continue our help and partnership with the people of Haiti, who seem to need that help now more than ever?
A PASTORAL LETTER CONCERNING RECENT EVENTS IN HAITI.
Dear Members and Friends:
This has been quite a week for us all – and for the people of Haiti, for whom we care so deeply. Some of us have been more directly affected than others, but we all have felt the human toll wrought by this most recent tragedy, in a country for whom tragedy has become far too frequent.
I’ve been so proud of the response of our staff and members. In a strange way, it’s in a circumstance like this when we experience most fully what “church” means. So many people–members and strangers and friends–have been so caring and gracious and helpful, as we all pulled together to do what we needed to do.
We are still getting reports on the activities of our group in Haiti – that they are all fine; they helped over 300 people in Thoman and are now doing a medical clinic there in the US Embassy; they haven’t slept or eaten much in this time; and they are also soon to be headed back home, via the Dominican Republic. We hope they will arrive tomorrow or Saturday. To quote one text I just received from a group member, “We have been able to help so many.”
While we are jubilant at the news of our group’s safety, that is tempered by the news that there may be those in Pastor Luc’s church who did not fare so well; and of course by the fact that thousands in Haiti are hurt and have died.
Many have asked – What now? How shall we respond? Here are some exhortations, for now, on that score.
Pray, and worship. This Sunday is a Sunday to come to church; we need you, as an integral member of the community, to give your presence through prayer and worship. We will give thanks for good news, and we will lament the tragedy, as we affirm our ultimate hope in Christ, and pray for all the people in and of Haiti. We plan to have our usual Levi Sunday service – what more appropriate thing than to be reminded of the importance of our service to the world as Christians.
Give. This Sunday, we will be taking up a special offering for immediate disaster relief through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Our longstanding work in Haiti is more important now than ever. The recovery effort will take years. We are in a unique position to support that effort because of our longstanding mission relationship to Pastor Luc and Haiti–for whose work we will take up another offering in February. What you can do now is give. Money is the most effective form of help. And this Sunday we are also collecting items that the City of Trenton will distribute. Click this page on our website for more details.
Lastly – know that we’re working with family members of our group in Haiti, to prepare for their return and care for their needs. Hope you will continue to pray for them, for Pastor Luc and his churches, and for those who are suffering so deeply in Haiti.
Such events often “bend” and challenge our Christian faith; it will take time and grace for some of us to make sense of it. For now, let us hear Paul’s words – God’s words he heard during a weak moment: “My grace is sufficient for you.”
In Christ,
Jeff Vamos
