Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Happy New Year. or Сновым годом as they say in Russia , where I welcomed the new year with my Siberian friends, on an evening complete with fireworks, ice sculptures, and reindeer, as well as (of course) lots of eating. I went to Russia for New Year’s, after celebrating Christmas at home in Elgin County, attending two wonderful Christmas eve services, and of course sharing in good meals with family.
As we return to our work and routines, savouring the warm memories of joyous moments over the recent days of celebration, and resolute with good intentions for self improvement in the new year, we have all been jarred this week by the shocking news of the earthquake in Haiti.
In a country already wracked by poverty, people are suddenly dealing with the aftermath of a terrible disaster. With the epicentre right near Port au Prince, many large buildings were destroyed. The news reports told of voices calling to Jesus from under piles of rubble. So far we know that the dead include senior UN officials, and a Canadian nurse, an RCMP officer, a writer……….and there remains a long list of people unaccounted for. Canadians with relatives or friends in Haiti must be desperate for news, which is coming through only slowly, since the communications infrastructure has been damaged along with everything else.
Jim Hodgson, the staff member at the General Council office whose work focuses on the Central American region, was busy from the time the news of the earthquake broke, connecting with church aid groups, trying to make contact with partners in Port au Prince, and preparing information to go up on the Church’s website to begin sharing the information that is available about the extent of the damage, and the ways we can help. By Thursday, we had information on the website about a special appeal that we can contribute for, to help with the support and rebuilding efforts in Haiti . (http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/releases/100114)
All Canadians were surely touched by the tears of our Governor General as she spoke of the situation in the country of her birth, with worries for friends and family so close to the surface.
In a situation where we will inevitably feel that we can’t possibly do enough, we are called to do what we can for our brothers and sisters in distress. They need our supplies, our money, and our prayers, now and in the days ahead.
Peace be with you.
Nora