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Arriving in Chicago, Thinking about Haiti
An article in today's New York Times tells a compelling story about the Episcopal Cathedral in Port-au-Prince; the treasured murals there (some of which were lost, and the rest of which were damaged, in the earthquake); and the origins of the Episcopal Church in Haiti, when, in 1861, two thousand African-Americans emigrated to Haiti under the leadership of James Theodore Holly.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, as a parish, we sent relief funds for Haiti to Episcopal Relief & Development; and there was talk of a mission trip. While we are very much invested in and committed to our mission relationships in Mwitikira, Tanzania, perhaps, at some point, we will explore further efforts in Haiti.
Tonight, it so happens, I will meet with clergy from around the Episcopal Church to hear and talk about work being done to rebuild the Cathedral in Port-au-Prince, and to bring hope to the people of Haiti. The gathering is being hosted by the Very Reverend Steve Carlson, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral of Indianapolis (with whom our own David Sinden used to serve).
I'm just arriving now in Chicago for the annual conference for the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes (CEEP). St. Paul's has been part of CEEP for years. This will be my third conference and, if it's anything like the last two (which, I'm confident, it will be), it will be invigorating and enlightening, and a spur to greater and yet more faithful mission and ministry.
May God bless our conference, here in Chicago; and may God bless the people of Haiti.
Amen, amen.
Tags: episcopal church in port-au-prince, haiti relief funds, mwitikira, tanzania
