Annual Gift Tags

Family and Children's Agency will drop off today the tags with the gift requests. The tags will be available this Sunday during the 10:00 bilingual service. All gifts must be delivered to Grace no later than Sunday, December 11.

Each gift tag has the caseworker's last name, the client's gender, age and requested gift.

Remember:

All gifts must be new.

Please attach the Family and Children's tag to the gift

Please include any required batteries

Please do not wrap the gifts

Thank you all in advance for your generosity. This is one of our most successful, most loved, long term ministries so enjoy yourselves!

Faithfully,
Lois Keen

Thanksgiving Baskets for Covenant to Care for Children

We hope to do at least 15 to 20 Baskets! Please consider helping.

The following items are needed for the baskets:

• Cranberry Sauce


• Whole Bags of White Potatoes


• Canned Yams


• Gravy


• Canned Vegetables (Corn, Peas, String Beans, etc.)


• Cake Mixes


• Brownie Mixes


• Frosting

Take a leaf or two from the Giving Tree and please have the food back by November 13. Mark your plastic bags with "Thanksgiving Food" please.

Opportunities for Thanksgiving

We have opportunities to share time and supplies for Thanksgiving. First is the Community Thankgsgiving Lunchean at the East Avenue United Methodist Church. We at Betania/Grace have participated in this luncheon in a variety of ways for a few years now. Below is Jessie's letter with the basic information. Below the letter is a list of things you can donate to the luncheon.

Another project that the Grace congregation has been doing for many years are the Thanksgiving Baskets. Tags with supplies needed can be found on the Giving Tree at the church. Please bring purchased items to the church by Sunday November 13.

= = = = = = = = =
November 1, 2011

Dear kind contributors,

It’s almost time for the Community Thanksgiving Luncheon at the East Avenue United Methodist Church in East Norwalk. Our luncheon will again be held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 20th, from 12 noon until 2pm. This wonderful event is possible only because of the generosity of people like you.

This completely free of charge Thanksgiving feast has become a Norwalk tradition and a wonderful way to unite the community during the holiday season.

For our returning volunteers, I look forward to working with you again, and to our new folks, a great big WELCOME!

I appreciate your valuable time so therefore I try to keep this as simple as possible by multitasking.
Saturday, November 19th from 10am until 12 noon, we begin our preparation. Some will be peeling potatoes, (BYOP- bring your own peeler), while others will be setting up the dining area including table arranging and decorating. I will explain how the luncheon will run and answer any questions.

On Sunday, volunteers arrive at 11am. Everyone will be given an assigned position to work. If there is a specific job you would like to do i.e. cooking, serving, cleanup, etc. please contact me before the day of the luncheon and I will do my best to place you there.

Our event is dependent solely on contributions so please see the attached wish list. Donations may be dropped off at the church office Tuesday- Friday from 10am until 1pm. The entrance is on Rowan Street. Checks should be made out to EAUMC Thanksgiving Luncheon.

There are also many tasks to be done from now until the luncheon. Flyers must be posted, donations picked up, just to name a few so if you are available to help TERRIFIC!

I am truly grateful for any contribution you can make. In order for this undertaking to succeed it is important that I have an idea of how many volunteers will be joining us and when. Please let me know as soon as possible.

You can contact me by email at jessiejmcgarty@gmail.com (preferred method) or by calling the church office at (203) 866-6757.

I cannot thank you enough for being a part of this celebration that brings joy to so many.

Sincerely yours,
Jessie McGarty
Community Thanksgiving Luncheon Coordinator

= = = = = = = = = =
Community Thanksgiving Luncheon Donation Wish List
*Please have items at the church by Wednesday, November 16th.

E.A.U.M.C. 244 East Avenue, East Norwalk (entrance on Rowan Street)
office hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am until 1pm (203) 866-6757


*Perishable items will be requested at a later date.

bags of stuffing......or cash :)
canned mixed vegetables
cranberry sauce- jellied and whole
yams in syrup
disposable foil large roasting pans (we need at least 50)
chicken broth
aluminum foil
plastic cling wrap
Ziploc bags- quart and gallon size ( we make many to-go servings)
Sanka packets
sodas- various flavors including Diet
juices- various flavors
water bottles
Kosher Salt
black pepper
brown sugar
sweetener packets
sterno
scotch tape
masking tape
napkins
dessert plates
desserts- pies, brownies, cookies, etc; ( some sugar free and nut free, and must stay fresh without refrigeration until 11/20 )

Thank you!
Jessie

New Name for Shawl Ministry

I (your humble web master and shawl ministry participant) have been calling our gathering "Grace's Shawl Ministry" simply because I needed something to call it on Facebook, Twitter, the web site, and here on the Outreach Blog. At our last meeting we discussed the listing on the shawl ministry web site. That led us to a discussion about our name because not only was there the web site listing to consider, but one of our members went into the church office and downloaded the shawl minstry brochure templates from the site.

Grace's Shawl Ministry has many meanings, but it is too closely tied to the name of Grace Episcopal Church. We have folks who come from Iglesia Betania and other places, too. One member suggested Holy Needles.

We have a new name! Holy Needles/Las agujas santa.

Brochures and shawl ministry site listing to come.

We gather on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Although some folks show up at 10, and many of us stay until noon. We're also making hats, scarves, mittens, cowls, baby sweaters and blankets. Another reason Holy Needles/Las agujas santa fits our group

Join us as we knit, crochet, and share conversation. If you want to learn how to knit or crochet, this is a great place to try it out! Or just come for the conversation.

See you on November 5th!

Grace's Shawl Ministry - The Blessing of the Shawls

The cedar chest in the Memorial Room was full. Time to bless the finished shawls and begin giving them away. We talked about what the blessing should look like and how the shawls should be distributed. Today, during the 10:00 a.m. service, we blessed them and gave three to the Lay Eucharistic Ministers who took communion to some of our home bound parishioners.

Shane and Sally arrived even earlier than our scheduled gathering time, so all the shawls were out on the altar by the time the rest of us arrived.


We fussed with them until they looked "right" on the altar, making sure to leave space for Sally to set the elements out for the Eucharist.












May God's grace be upon these shawls, warming, comforting, enfolding, embracing.

May these mantles be a safe haven...
A sacred place of security and well being...
Sustaining and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones.

May those who receive these shawls
Be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace,
And wrapped in love.
In the Name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Moving forward we will be expanding our outreach. Along with the prayer shawls, some of us will be knitting and crocheting hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves for the homeless and others in need. And some of us will be knitting caps for the babies who are baptized in our church.

If you knit or crochet, would like to learn to knit or crochet, or just want to spend some time in conversation and fellowship, please join us at 10:30 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Another way to participate in the ministry is to donate yarn to be made into shawls, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and caps.

Grace's Shawl Ministry - Carol

I don't remember who taught me how to knit or when I started knitting. I think I was a teenager. I picked up the needles again in 2002 when looking for something to help me pass the time while my son, the Marine, was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. I took lessons at Norwalk High School's adult education program. My goal was to knit an afghan and finish it by the end of his 1-year tour. I finished the afghan in June 2006, 4 years later.

My next attempt at knitting was in 2009 after reading The Shop on Blossom Street series by Debbie Macomber. The books revolved around a yarn shop. The description of the yarn and the camaraderie of the men and women who were involved in the knitting circles drew me in and rekindled my desire to knit again.

That camaraderie is exactly what I found at the Shawl Ministry. There is something very calming and peaceful to sitting, knitting (or crocheting) and talking with a group of friends and there is no pressure to finish a set number of shawls. There are those who have finished 5 or 6. I am working on my second shawl and there are those who are working to complete the first one. But that's okay because we are all enjoying the process while laughing, talking and sharing with one another.

I believe that the Shawl Ministry is not only a blessing to the recipients of the shawls; it is also a blessing to those who make them.

Grace's Shawl Ministry - Leona

I had not knit anything for about 20 years. But when the Prayer Shawl Ministry was announced I decided I would go and see what it was all about. I prefer crocheting because it produced faster results— immediate gratification. At the Shawl Ministry however, I found that suggested size 13 needles and soft textured yarn resulted in faster knitting and the same immediate gratification.

When I started attending the Shawl Ministry meetings on the first and third Saturday of the month, I also discovered that there is no requirement that you knit or crochet. You can just come and enjoy the conversation which is eclectic and interesting. Personally, I love the community feeling of the group. It’s fun and relaxing to get together.

But if you do like to knit or crochet, there are all levels proficiency from beginner to expert. I have learned a different method of casting on and starting a new skein of yarn. I have made four shawls and look forward to the fall when all the shawls are blessed and given away.

Good Friday Offering

Although this bulletin insert from the Episcopal Church Center was for the eighith Sunday after Epiphany (February 27), we put it in this Sunday's bulletin since Good Friday is this Friday.

* * * *

Excerpt From a Message From the Presiding Bishop

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

For almost a century, the Good Friday Offering has been a source of support, love, and hope for our brothers and sisters in the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. … This offering expresses our own commitment to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to walk with the church of the Middle East as they continue to work toward justice, reconciliation, and peace. Through our prayers for and support of these churches we are helping to realize God’s vision of shalom. … Please join with me in giving thanks for the work of the Good Friday Offering by generously sharing the gifts we have been given with our sisters and brothers throughout the Middle East.

I remain, Your servant in Christ,

Katharine Jefferts Schori

(To read the complete letter , see http://www.episcopalchurch.org/110049_126699_ENG_HTM.htm.)

Some of the projects funded by the 2010 Good Friday Offering include:

• St. Peter’s Elderly Home in BirZeit, which offers housing for elderly Christians


• St. Andrew’s Day Care Center in Ramallah, a new clinic for diabetic cardio treatment


• St. Andrew’s Housing Project for Young Christian Couples, which helps young couples afford apartments


• Needy families on the West Bank


• Ras Morbat Clinic in Aden, Yemen, which provides unlimited access to basic health services in a low-income area


• Scholarships for religious education for Christian children (who represent only 1 percent of the population)

Collected funds can be sent in the form of a check, payable to “The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society” (please write “Good Friday Offering” in the memo line of the check) to:Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society Good Friday Offering PO Box 12095Newark, NJ 07101For more information contact the Rev. David Copley(800) 334-7626, ext. 5461; dcopley@episcopalchurch.org.

Copyright © 2011 The Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017 (800)-334-7626 www.episcopalchurch.org

This Week's Haiti Appeal Bulletin Insert

The Rev. Mark Santucci, St. Mark’s Church, Mystic

St. Mark’s in Mystic partnered with St. Luc’s Church and School in Mercery, Haiti, in 2003 through our contact with the priest in charge there, the Rev. Kerwin Delicat. Two moments from our trip to Haiti in 2009 provide touchstones for the joy, pain and hope of partnership in Christ.

We spent some time one morning at a hospital for children. Our task was just to hold babies, to give them with some cuddle time the nursing staff was too harried to provide. I started by picking up Kimberlee, a skinny 18-month-old with big, brown eyes you could drown in. We strolled the hall for a while, until I thought it was time to move on to another child.

Kimberlee, however, thought differently and cried mightily when I put her down. So I picked her up again and began the pattern of holding, trying to put her down, her crying, and me picking her up again that went on until the nurses told us our time was up.

I put Kimberlee into her crib and walked away from the tear-filled eyes and throaty crying. But even in the next room I could hear her cry: even in the parking lot, even on the plane ride home, and even today.

The other moment was the celebration of the Feast of St. Luke at our partner parish in Mercery, near Leogane. Th e small church was filled, not only with people, but with music and joy and a fullness of Spirit that was close to palpable. We were given places of honor among the community, and our feeble attempt at a Kreyòl greeting was met with thunderous applause. In the Eucharist and at the feast that followed, we knew that even though we did not speak the language, even though we were seriously underdressed, and even though we had a long plane ride ahead of us, we were truly home.

Like Connecticut, Haiti is a Diocese of the Episcopal Church. It is our most populous diocese, with about 80,000 people, and it is our poorest.

Its Cathedral in Port-au-Prince was a cultural center for the nation, a place of pride and beauty for all Haitians.

In 35 seconds on Jan. 12, 2010, it fell.

People still flocked to its grounds and its ruins for food and shelter. Absent a working government, the church has always been a place to find schools, clinics, and other social services we take for granted. And thanks to Episcopal Relief and Development, as well as many other agencies and churches, the Bishop, school staff, and sisters of St. Margaret, were able to off er short-term employment, provisional homes, and sanitation systems in addition to other community-focus recovery programs.

Even in the midst of the deep human need and suffering in Haiti, the people seek to worship God together. And while there are agencies who will rebuild schools and clinics, only the church will rebuild a church. Please join in supporting the rebuilding of the Cathedral complex in Port-au-Prince by making a donation this Lent.

“Rebuilding Trinity Cathedral will do more than raise up bricks and cement. It will raise the hopes of a people who have lost so much of their earthly habitation. It will raise the Spirit of a community made weary, ...inspire the minds and hearts of the young men and women who knew Trinity as their intellectual and artistic home [and] serve as a beacon and shelter for literally thousands who are rebuilding their lives with little more than hope and prayers.

--Bishop Duracin, Bishop of Haiti

Nou ave’ou! - We’re with you!

This appeal in the Diocese of Connecticut is part of an Episcopal Church-wide appeal this Lent coordinated by the Episcopal Church Foundation. In Connecticut organizers are asking that donations be made to the local parish, which will then forward them. For more information see the “Rebuild our Church in Haiti” page on the diocesan website, www.ctepiscopal.org. The Rev. Rachel Thomas is the coordinator of the appeal for the Diocese of Connecticut. Contact her at rwthomas55@att.net.

This Week's Haiti Appeal Bulletin Insert

Dan Taylor-Stypa, D. Min., David Evangelisti, St. John’s Church, Essex

Our relationship with Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) in Deschapelles Haiti began through our membership on the World Mission Committee of St. John’s Church in Essex. Th e parents of fellow parishioner Jenifer Grant, Gwen Grant Mellon and Dr. Larry Mellon, founded HAS 54 years ago.

After the “trambleman” (earthquake) in January 2010, surgical patients were brought to HAS, while others fled there from Port-au-Prince to join friends and family in relative safety. David and I began “Have a Heart for Haiti” as a town-wide initiative to support the relief efforts for HAS. Parishioners from St. John’s participated in this initiative, which was also greatly supported by individuals and businesses in the area.

This initiative gave way to the development of Sister Cities Essex Haiti, (SCEH). Sister Cities is an international group which assists groups in forming long-term, mutual and sustainable relationships with international communities. In the summer of 2011 this relationship was formalized with the town of Deschapelles, where HAS is located. In collaborating with their local community organization, ODES, we learned that Deschapelles needed a library so we began the present library project.

In our visits to HAS, our days are long, but are fulfilled in building relationships with other groups and individuals. These include the clergy, hospital personnel, hospital social services, and community development programs -- wells, sanitation, water pumps, community gardening, micro-banking, micro-businesses, and re-forestation programs. As we have met and shared relationships, we have been graced with the resilient hope of the people.

The Haitian people tell you they are fortunate, they have earned this luck by the labor of their hands and their determination. They continue amid all the difficulties to tend their gardens and their children. They work to build relationships, they make time and they continue to make a life rooted in their deep faith and devotion: not to a God who sends them difficulties, but to a God who graces them with what little they have; a God who does not abandon; a God who is a companion, who lifts them up. They are our Haitian brothers and sisters.

Its Cathedral in Port-au-Prince was a cultural center for the nation, a place of pride and beauty for all Haitians.

In 35 seconds on Jan. 12, 2010, it fell.

People still flocked to its grounds and its ruins for food and shelter. Absent a working government, the church has always been a place to find schools, clinics, and other social services we take for granted. And thanks to Episcopal Relief and Development, as well as many other agencies and churches, the Bishop, school staff , and sisters of St. Margaret, were able to off er short-term employment, provisional homes, and sanitation systems in addition to other community-focus recovery programs.

Even in the midst of the deep human need and suffering in Haiti, the people seek to worship God together. And while there are agencies who will rebuild schools and clinics, only the church will rebuild a church. Please join in supporting the rebuilding of the Cathedral complex in Port-au-Prince by making a donation this Lent.

“On Sunday ...we attended Eucharist (out of doors) at the Episcopal Cathedral of Ste. Trinité, completely leveled by the earthquake, in Port-Au-Prince. We couldn’t help but think how many present had lost friends and loved ones. Yet, their sincere prayer and their everyday response to “How are you?” remains steadfast as “Mwen kenbe ale sou” ( I keep going on), “Mwen isit la” (I am here), par la grâce de Dieu (by the grace of God).” -- Dan Taylor-Stypa and David Evangelisti

Nou ave’ou! - We’re with you!

This appeal in the Diocese of Connecticut is part of an Episcopal Church-wide appeal this Lent coordinated by the Episcopal Church Foundation. In Connecticut organizers are asking that donations be made to the local parish, which will then forward them. For more information see the “Rebuild our Church in Haiti” page on the diocesan website, www.ctepiscopal.org. Th e Rev. Rachel Thomas is the coordinator of the appeal for the Diocese of Connecticut. Contact her at rwthomas55@att.net.

Another Haiti Appeal Bulletin Insert

The Rev. Erl G. “Puck” Purnell, Old St. Andrew’s, Bloomfield

My relationship with Haiti began in 1993 through an association with the Rev. Jean-Elie Millien, a Haitian priest serving as vicar of l’Eglise de l’Epiphanie, Stamford. In 1996 Jean-Elie retired and moved to Carrefour, Haiti with his wife Mona. Together they started a small school there, which they named Ecole le Bon Samaritain.

Over the years Old St. Andrew’s has been steadfastly committed to offering support through scholarships, a lunch program, teacher salaries, a water purification system, electrical generator and storage batteries, even helping to build a second story on the original building.

I am passionate about helping in Haiti, and it is the children that keep me caring and involved. Consider this: Three years ago on a trip to Ecole Bon Samaritain (EBS) I first met Weislene. She was in 3rd grade. She slipped up beside me and took my hand, grinning. Each trip back to visit EBS after that I would seek her out. She was always smiling and amazingly patient with my broken French and non-existent Kreyol.

Immediately following the earthquake in 2010, Old St. Andrew’s, with dozens of partners, provided critical medical care, food, clothing, and temporary shelter to over 8,000 people. In March I went with a group to the clinic that had been set up next to the school. I asked about Weislene but no one knew what had happened to her.

Late one afternoon near the end of my week-long visit, I went to the clinic to greet the last few patients and there was Weislene, sitting patiently with a sick 2-year old on her lap. I said hello but she hardly responded, only pulling the child closer. After the nurse saw them, we gave them a bag filled with pedialyte, food, and other supplies. She smiled tentatively and walked away, weighted down by the bag of provisions and the toddler. Later I learned that the mother of this child, a neighbor, had been killed and his father was gone, so Weislene and her father were caring for him. Weislene’s own mother had also died in the quake.

The next day I saw Weislene again. This time she threw her arms around my neck, stepped back and said, “Merci. Merci, Père Puck.”

Like Connecticut, Haiti is a Diocese of the Episcopal Church. It is our most populous diocese, with about 80,000 people, and it is our poorest.

Its Cathedral in Port-au-Prince was a cultural center for the nation, a place of pride and beauty for all Haitians.

In 35 seconds on Jan. 12, 2010, it fell.

People still flocked to its grounds and its ruins for food and shelter. Absent a working government, the church has always been a place to find schools, clinics, and other social services we take for granted. And thanks to Episcopal Relief and Development, as well as many other agencies and churches, the Bishop, school staff , and sisters of St. Margaret, were able to off er short-term employment, provisional homes, and sanitation systems in addition to other community-focus recovery programs.

Even in the midst of the deep human need and suffering in Haiti, the people seek to worship God together. And while there are agencies who will rebuild schools and clinics, only the church will rebuild a church. Please join in supporting the rebuilding of the Cathedral complex in Port-au-Prince by making a donation this Lent. This appeal in the Diocese of Connecticut is part of an Episcopal Church-wide appeal this Lent coordinated by the Episcopal Church Foundation. In Connecticut organizers are asking that donations be made to the local parish, which will then forward them. For more information see the “Rebuild our Church in Haiti” page on the diocesan website, www.ctepiscopal.org. The Rev. Rachel Thomas is the coordinator of the appeal for the Diocese of Connecticut. Contact her at rwthomas55@att.net.

“The presence of the Episcopal Church in Haiti and its mission cannot be overstated. At the very center is Cathédrale Sainte Trinité. Filled to the brim with the faithful Sunday by Sunday, worship in the Cathedral demonstrates the passion of Haitians for their Church. Moreover, the Cathédrale is the hub of ministry—education, outreach, medical care, and music—for hundreds of people daily.” -- The Rev. Erl G. Purnell

Nou ave’ou! - We’re with you!

This Week's Haiti Appeal Bulletin Insert

The Rev. Judith Alexis, Vicar, L'Eglise de L'Epiphanie, Stamford

I am an Island girl in two ways. I was born on the Islandof Manhattan and grew up, went to school on the Island of Hispaniola, in Haiti.

The Haiti of my childhood is one filled with laughter, storytelling at night and a number of “no batteries required” games. I listened to “L’Orchestre Sainte Trinité,” Episcopal Church Orchestra. I went to the Art Museum sponsored by “College St. Pierre” before I went to the Brooklyn Museum.

The Episcopal Church was and continues to instruct the majority of classically trained Haitian artists and musicians. I enjoyed going to the concerts, the park and the museum. Out of all those, the best was February 22nd Baden Powell’s Birthday, founder of the modern scout movements, on the grounds of the Cathedral Complex.

Boys and girls dressed in uniform khaki with short pants for boys, long pants for young men, dresses for the older girls and jean-wash-colored dresses trimmed with yellow, red and green, with dark blue socks and black shoes for the girls. And bows and barrettes in the younger girl’s hair. It was like a field of colors a sea of chatter and laughter.

We sang as loud as we could. Among other songs, one of them reminded the community to assure that the kids are happy “Pa kite timoun yo tris” (Strive for no sadness among kids).

St. Trinity cathedral complex is not only the spiritual seat of the diocese of Haiti. It is a place where kids come for classical academic formation. It is where all social classes meet and have fellowship, where the vendors come give thanks to God before
continuing to peddle their merchandise to earn enough for food and school. Where all are welcome regardless of their religious or socio-economic status.

In my Haiti, the scouts are where I first learned to respect the dignity of every human being. On the grounds of the Cathédrale Sainte Trinité, I saw it in practice.

Like Connecticut, Haiti is a Diocese of the Episcopal Church. It is our most populous diocese, with about 80,000 people, and it is our poorest.

Its Cathedral in Port-au-Prince was a cultural center for the nation, a place of pride and beauty for all Haitians.

In 35 seconds on Jan. 12, 2010, it fell.

People still flocked to its grounds and its ruins for food and shelter. Absent a working government, the church has always been a place to find schools, clinics, and other social services we take for granted. And thanks to Episcopal Relief and Development, as well as many other agencies and churches, the Bishop, school staff , and sisters of St. Margaret, were able to offer short-term employment, provisional homes, and sanitation systems in addition to other community-focus recovery programs.

Even in the midst of the deep human need and suffering in Haiti, the people seek to worship God together. And while there are agencies who will rebuild schools and clinics, only the church will rebuild a church. Please join in supporting the rebuilding of the Cathedral complex in Port-au-Prince by making a donation this Lent.

“In 1983 and 1984 I was blessed to work as a Volunteer for Mission in L’Eglise Episcopale d’Haiti (Th e Episcopal Church of Haiti) where I helped develop a partnership program between Episcopal schools in Haiti and parishes, dioceses and schools in the United States. Whenever I entered Holy Trinity Cathedral, I was moved by the palpable presence of God in that place. With its incredible frescoes by the Haitian masters and joyous music by the choirs and orchestra of Holy Trinity Music School, the Cathedral manifested Haiti’s artistic beauty and the deep faith of the Haitian people.” -- The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut

Nou ave'ou! - We're with you!

This appeal in the Diocese of Connecticut is part of an Episcopal Church-wide appeal this Lent coordinated by the Episcopal Church Foundation. In Connecticut organizers are asking that donations be made to the local parish, which will then forward them. For more information see the “Rebuild our Church in Haiti” page on the diocesan website, www.ctepiscopal.org. The Rev. Rachel Thomas is the coordinator of the appeal for the Diocese of Connecticut. Contact her at rwthomas55@att.net.

A Pastoral Letter from Our Bishops

Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
To be read Sunday, March 13, 2011

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

We, your bishops, are writing to invite your parish to participate in a special Lenten appeal to support the rebuilding of the Episcopal Church of Haiti. Specifically we are asking every worshipping congregation of the Diocese of Connecticut to give to a special appeal, coordinated by The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, for the rebuilding of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port-au-Prince.

In the year since the earthquake in Haiti, the Rt. Rev Jean Zaché Duracin, Bishop of Haiti, and the staff of the cathedral schools and other ministries have carried on heroically amidst the ruins, while at times living in tents. The music school and grade school are in operation again even though there are no walls and only temporary shelters. Students practice under trees, surrounded by rubble. During this time, the Diocese of Haiti has identified the rebuilding of the Cathedral complex in the heart of Port-au-Prince as its top priority.

Last November, Bishop Duracin wrote:

Rebuilding Holy Trinity Cathedral will do more than raise up bricks and cement. It will raise the hopes of a people who have lost so much of their earthly habitation. It will raise the Spirit of a community made weary… As we rebuild Trinity Cathedral, brick by brick and stone by stone, it will serve as a beacon and shelter for literally thousands who are rebuilding their lives with little more than hope and prayers.

The Diocese of Connecticut has a long association with the Diocese of Haiti. For over 150 years, from the founding of the Episcopal Church of Haiti under the leadership of the Rt. Rev. James Theodore Holly, one-time rector of St. Luke’s in New Haven, to the current partnerships many of you share with different schools, churches, clinics, and ministries in Haiti, we have built relationships rooted in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are now being called upon to help rebuild Holy Trinity Cathedral, a tangible sign of our deep commitment to each other as one people of God and as a sign of hope, reconciliation and renewal for the rebuilding of Haitian society.

God is at work in the ministry of the Episcopal Church of Haiti. Thousands of people who have lost so very much are being fed by the proclamation of the Gospel, the celebration of the sacraments, and the ministries of the communities of the diocese. A rebuilt cathedral will be the hub of God’s continuing mission and a center of prayer and renewal. Our brothers and sisters in Haiti have asked for our help. Let us respond, “Nou ave’ou!” "We are with you!"

God bless you in your generous response and God bless the ministry of the Episcopal Church in Haiti.

Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas
The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry
The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens

Nou ave’ou! – We’re with you

* * * * * * *

For more information see the diocese's Rebuild Our Church in Haiti web page.