Rejecting offers to evacuate him from Port-au-Prince, Episcopal Diocese of Haiti Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin said that he must remain in the Haitian capital. "No, I will stay with my people . . . The people are strong," Duracin said, echoing messages received from other priests. "We still have our people, and they are strong. We need to help them."

Episcopal Church missionary, the Rev. Canon Oge Beauvoir, the dean of the diocese's seminary, is also remaining in Haiti and working with the bishop and others.  Their buildings demolished in the quake, they are helping to care for some 3,000 other homeless victims of the quake in a tent city in downtown Port-au-Prince. More than 100 of the diocese's churches have been damaged or destroyed, including the demolished Cathédrale Sainte Trinité (Holy Trinity Cathedral) in Port-au-Prince. At least four of the diocese's 254 schools, ranging from pre-schools to a university and seminary, were destroyed.  In Port-au-Prince, six children and employees of St. Vincent's School for Handicapped Children died in the quake.

Of the Episcopal Church's 12 overseas dioceses, Haiti is numerically the largest diocese in the church with more than 83,000 Episcopalians in 169 congregations served by just 37 clergy.

Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) has staff on the ground in the Dominican Republic, helping to coordinate relief efforts, and has already disbursed emergency funding to the Diocese of Haiti, to help meet immediate needs such as food, water and shelter. ERD will also be ready to support the Diocese with post-earthquake recovery and rebuilding efforts.  In addition, the agency has partnered with IMA World Health, a non-profit organization providing medical assistance and supplies in and around Port-au-Prince. Since IMA already had offices and staff in the area, they have been at the forefront of rescue and relief efforts. 

To learn more about Episcopal Relief and Development, visit http:// www.er-d.org/ or pick up a flyer in the church narthex. The people of Haiti, as well as those who seek to help, will continue to be in our prayers.  John Beddingfield

Around the Parish . . . Attendance on Sunday, January 17 at the 8:30 a.m, Mass, 27; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 111 . . . Total pledge offerings on Sunday were $6,106.00. The plate offering from Sunday was $604.00.

Your prayers are asked for . . . Bob and Louise Osborne, Ann Dixon, Lorenzo Martinez, Family of Tom Martin, Hugh Yeomans, Helen Horne, Erling Hansen, Tim Dill, Mona Bauer, Mary Backus, Sandy Jenkins Dixon, I. Kathryn McKewen, Thais Blanchard, Bruce MacDonald, Bob Colborn, Elizabeth McKee, Freddie Cameron, Robert Long, Barb Chaffee, Harriet Martin, Chris Cobb, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Ruth & Fred Huber, Jim St. George, Mark Henderson, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, , Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, and Ted Field . . Pray for members of the parish in the foreign service and others who are working overseas, especially Chuck Hunter, Steve Kerchoff, Brad Moore, and Michael Pate . . . Pray also for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Jack Severson, and Timothy Zlatich . . . If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.

Liturgical Notes . . . Flowers at the Altar are given to the glory of God and in memory of Melissa Catherine Brannon, given by her brother Ike Brannon.

A Request from Bishop Chane . . . The Bishop has asked that the following prayer be included in our worship leaflets this weekend.

Eternal God, our Rock and our Refuge, we turn to you aching and tender as we offer our prayers for the people of Haiti. We pray for the dying and those who have died, may death have dignity, may mercy be abundant.  We pray for those who lost family, friends, and possessions, for those whose lives are blighted with suffering. Do not be far from those who cry out to you: We pray for all rescue workers, caregivers and peacekeepers; may their hands be steady and their resolve be sure.  Fill them with your grace and courage. Guide us in all that we undertake on behalf of the people of Haiti. May we respond with generosity and compassion as we work to alleviate suffering and rebuild lives. You, O God, shall be our faithfulness, for You are the Rock of our salvation. We ask all this in the name of your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God forever and ever. Amen.