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From the Office of the Presiding Bishop

Epiphany II
January 18, 2010

TO THE CLERGY AND PARISHES OF THE REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

During the past several days our hearts have been deeply moved as we have heard reports and seen images of the overwhelming devastation in Haiti. The scope of the destruction seems incomprehensible, and the depth of human suffering and loss unfathomable. Current estimates place the number of people left homeless at 1.5 million. Millions more are without the basic necessities of food and water. And this staggering calamity has struck what is arguably the most impoverished country in the western hemisphere.

We need to reach out with the compassion of our loving Lord and Savior by assisting in the urgent efforts to provide immediate relief and supplies to the victims of this monumental disaster, as well as by rendering the ongoing support that will be required to rebuild a stronger and more stable country.

You can be part of this effort by contributing to the needs of the people of Haiti through the Anglican Relief and Development Fund, the official disaster relief agency of the Anglican Church in North America, and of the Reformed Episcopal Church. Details for sending your donations are provided on the bulletin insert which accompanies this letter.

I urge you to be generous, no only in this moment of crisis, but also in the days and months to come when the focus of attention is likely to shift, but the needs of the Haitian people will remain great.

"I tell you the truth," Jesus said. "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for Me." (St. Matthew 25:40)

Faithfully yours, in Christ,

(The Most Rev.) Leonard W. Riches
Presiding Bishop

Download a PDF bulletin insert here