If you have been following the news, you know that Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the world, has been struck by a devastating earthquake which has killed upwards of 100 000 people. CLWR (Canadian Lutheran World Relief) will be involved with relief efforts, and is currently appealing for financial support directed toward such relief. The following communication, released by the ELCIC national church office, indicates how donations can be made. Sunday offerings can also be designated to the "CLWR Haiti Earthquake Appeal". The Canadian Federal Government has pledged to match every dollar donated between Jan 12-Feb12. Please keep the victims of this unspeakable tragedy in your prayers.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), through its partnership with Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), is appealing to its members for financial support for relief operations underway to assist the people of Haiti following an earthquake on Tuesday, January 12. CLWR is working in partnership with other members of Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance to address people's basic needs in the affected region and support rehabilitation efforts.
Initial reports received from ACT indicate that the 7.0 magnitude quake has buried alive hundreds, maybe thousands, of people in Port au Prince, Haiti's capital city. Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes. The city is without electricity and the telephone network is down.
As the terrible news of the situation in Haiti continues to unfold, I ask that you pray for all those in the affected region, says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. And, I call on members of our church to assist through their financial support of the CLWR appeal to aid our brothers and sisters in the coming days.
Contributions for this emergency response can be made in the following ways:
1. Online at
www.clwr.org/donate. In the process of completing the form, you will come across a pull-down menu that allows you to designate a specific project. Choose Haiti Earthquake.
2. By calling CLWR's toll-free number: 1.800.661.2597. If you do not need to use a toll-free line or are calling locally from the Winnipeg area, you can reach CLWR at 204.694.5602.
3. By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR to CLWR, 302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6. Please indicate in your correspondence that you wish to contribute to
the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
CLWR will be forwarding immediately to ACT an initial contribution of $10,000 to support the first phase of the emergency operations.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada's largest Lutheran denomination with 162,100 baptized members in 611 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.
Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.
For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop, Director of Communications
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca
