St. Paul's ERD Haitian Pledge Challenge

The rector, wardens and vestry of St. Paul's voted unanimously at their meeting on Wednesday night to contribute $2,500 from the earnings of our Christmas Bazaar to be earmarked as a contribution to the Episcopal Relief and Development efforts in Haiti.

We would like to challenge the congregation to match that grant through their individual contributions and make that a total of $5,000.

To members of St. Paul's (and, even if you're not and want to be part of this effort): If you have already sent in a check to the ERD, please let us know the amount.

If you would like to contribute to the ERD, there are two ways to do that:

1. You may make out a check to St. Paul's and earmark it "ERD - Haiti Relief Effort"

2. You may make out a check to ERD and earmark it "Haiti Relief Effort" and either send it to the church or place it in the collection plate in church on Sunday. We will forward all checks, along with our own, and a report of the contributions that have already been sent in to ERD. We will also send a report to the Diocese of Newark which is keeping a tally of our efforts to help Haiti through ERD.

The Diocese of Newark has dug deep and contributed $10,000 to ERD. Already, churches in the diocese have added to that amount. The "unofficial" running total to date is over $50,000 pledged.

I trust we can follow the urging of St. Paul and "outdo each other in generosity". (2 Corinthians 9:1-5)

Please take a moment to watch the video of a WSJ interview with Jean Zache Duracin, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. The devastation is heartbreaking to see.

Bishop Durcain looks very tired, but he keeps saying, "We must keep the faith."

If he can, we must.