August 18, 2021
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Over the weekend, our hearts were troubled by the two humanitarian crises around the world. As a church, we will continue to join in prayer as we “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). We ask churches to remember the call to join in prayer for those who are suffering, by remembering both the people in Afghanistan and Haiti.
As we wait to see how the church can share hope with the world overwhelmed by such crises, we would like to offer ways to respond to the relief work in Haiti. The devastation caused by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake is compounded with extreme poverty and social and political unrest to a nation barely recovering from the previous earthquake in 2010.
The Eglise Methodiste d’Haiti (EMH), led by Bishop Jean-Lesley Dorcely, sent out a request to aid the people impacted by this earthquake with food, water filters, humanitarian kits, and tarps. In response to this request, we ask churches in the Virginia Annual Conference to respond in the following ways.
- UMCOR Disaster Relief Fund (#982450) – 100 percent of what is sent to the UMCOR Disaster Relief Fund will aid the recovery effort in Haiti. Please send the fund directly to UMCOR or use the online giving option below.
- VAUMC Disaster Relief to Eglise Methodiste d’Haiti – This fund will help the churches of EMH directly impacted by the earthquake to help their recovery. This fund will also be used to provide food, water filters, kits, and traps directly to people in the circuits (districts) impacted.
- Join Prayer Vigil on Aug 26, 2021 at 7 pm – We will host a prayer vigil remembering the victims of this earthquake and lifting up the work of relief through a virtual prayer vigil. The prayer vigil will be premiered on YouTube and VAUMC’s Facebook page.
We are grateful for the work of all our churches, as we unite in prayer and mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ to this world!
Peace and Blessings,
Sharma D. Lewis
Resources
Donate through the Virginia Conference donation portal – Click here and then click on the Haiti link.
A Prayer for Haiti, Discipleship Ministries, January 15, 2010 – Click here
Prayer Meditation for the People in Haiti, January 21, 2010 – Click here
Online giving to UMCOR Disaster Relief Fund – Click here