Within hours after the earthquake struck, our parishes began responding to help the victims in Haiti.
Here’s a sampling of what they did:
Christ Church, North Hills, e-mailed parishioners last Wednesday to announce that the annual Lenten drive for Episcopal Relief & Development would start immediately. The first weekend’s collection brought in $1,740 in direct contributions, not including additional donations made through the parish. Normally, the drive yields about $1,100, according to Jerry Stephenson, who added that his fellow parishioners were “very generous” this year.
The Rev. Lou Hays reports that St. Paul’s, Mt. Lebanon, collected $2,541 for Episcopal Relief & Development through special appeals and envelopes prepared for all four weekend services. Online contributions were made possible through the parish website.
At Calvary, the plea came with first-hand knowledge. "I have visited Haiti several times, most recently in March of 2008, to preach," the Rev. Dr. Harold Lewis told his congregation. More than $5,000 was contributed this weekend at Calvary.
At St. Thomas, Canonsburg, where Bishop Price was visiting, the collection normally given to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund was redirected to Episcopal Relief & Development. Earlier, the Bishop contributed $500 from his discretionary fund for Haitian relief.
St. Stephen’s, Wilkinsburg, like many parishes, will continue Haitian appeals for several weeks. Last Sunday’s loose offering went to Partners in Health, while the Rev. Nano Chalfant-Walker urged her congregation to a “financial fast” this week. She asked them to decide what they can do without — a Starbucks coffee, a dinner out – and donate the savings to Haiti next Sunday.
What are you doing? Share your story with us at info@episcopalpgh.org.