Dear Colleagues:
We are all stunned to see the devastation in Haiti in the wake of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake which rocked the already impoverished Caribbean nation yesterday afternoon. The casualties will continue to mount and the devastation will push Haiti to the brink. The recovery effort will be slow, laborious, and painful.
Please pray for the people of Haiti as they attempt to recover from this devastating earthquake in and around their capital city. Pray for the victims, especially those who are still searching through the rubble looking for lost loved ones. Pray for the national and international response teams as they bring hope and comfort in the midst of great despair. Carve out some space in your worship service this coming Sunday and in the weeks and months ahead to pray for the healing of the Nation and its people.
This shocking catastrophe in one of the most impoverished countries in the Western Hemisphere serves to remind us of our abundance despite the tough economic times many of us face. It should remind us of the moral obligation we have as Christians to share our wealth with our brothers and sisters in need. It should also remind us of God’s command that we love one another, not just in word, but in deeds.
I propose that all 41 churches in the Presbytery of Newark band together to raise a minimum of $25,000 to support the relief effort in Haiti. Let’s attempt to reach this collective goal by the end of January. We can accomplish this goal if each congregation will give as the Spirit leads. These funds should be sent to the Presbytery of Newark where the Mission Council can decide how best to use them.
We will also receive a special offering for the relief effort this Saturday during worship at our Presbytery meeting. Please come prepared to make your personal contribution.
Thank you for your prompt attention and generous response to an urgent need.
Your Colleague In Christ,
Robert N. Burkins, Sr.
Moderator
Presbytery of Newark
10:13pm
Dear Friends,
As the relief effort delivers needed supplies and resources to the Haitian people devastated by the recent disaster, our Moderator's challenge to the presbytery has been heard. Already, to date, the presbytery is forwarding to the Presbyterian Disaster Relief $9,220.23 toward our goal of $25,000. 10% of this amount was received at the January 16 presbytery meeting, the balance from three (3) congregations, and a few individual contributors. We are grateful for this tangible expression of love sent in the name of Jesus Christ.
There is still time to send in contributions you have received. If you have sent gifts in directly to any responding organization, please let us know the amount of your gift so that we may aggregate all the gifts representing our presbytery's response.
Thank you for your prayers and gifts. I will post periodic updates.
Gratefully,
Kevin