In Haiti, There is Anguish

The images are horrifying.

Some of them are chillingly reminiscent of the scenes after 9/11.

News keeps dribbling in - some of it good, some of it bad.

The good news is that ERD - Episcopal Relief and Development - is already on the ground. You can download a bulletin insert HERE.

Here are some links to the stories from The Episcopal Church. You can watch a multimedia presentation with the Presiding Bishop here.

And here is a hymn written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Carolyn is a Presbyterian pastor in Wilmington, DE who has several collections of hymn texts, and several texts were included in our hymnal supplement "Voices Now". She gives permission for the text below to be used in support of relief efforts, especially through Church World Service.

Pray for Haiti, that she may one day, soon, be free.

In Haiti, There is Anguish

ST. CHRISTOPHER 7.6.8.6.8.6.8.6 (“Beneath the Cross of Jesus”)

In Haiti , there is anguish that seems too much to bear;
A land so used to sorrow now knows even more despair.
From city streets, the cries of grief rise up to hills above;
In all the sorrow, pain and death, where are you, God of love?

A woman sifts through rubble, a man has lost his home,
A hungry, orphaned toddler sobs, for she is now alone.
Where are you, Lord, when thousands die—the rich, the poorest poor?
Were you the very first to cry for all that is no more?

O God, you love your children; you hear each lifted prayer!
May all who suffer in that land know you are present there.
In moments of compassion shown, in simple acts of grace,
May those in pain find healing balm, and know your love’s embrace.

Where are you in the anguish? Lord, may we hear anew
That anywhere your world cries out, you’re there-- and suffering, too.
And may we see, in others’ pain, the cross we’re called to bear;
Send out your church in Jesus’ name to pray, to serve, to share.

Tune: Frederick Charles Maker, 1881
Text: Copyright © 2010 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.

Permission is given for use by those who support Church World Service