Church urges contributions for earthquake-shattered Haiti

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church is asking its members, and anyone else in the community who can, to donate to Episcopal Relief and Development, the international aid arm of the Episcopal Church of the United States.

John Arrison, coordinator of St. Margaret’s sister church relationship with the parish of St. Etienne’s in Limonade, Haiti, said ERD is best-equipped to help people devastated by the recent earthquake because it is “already mobilized and able to work effectively.”

This Sunday, Jan. 17, St. Margaret’s will have a special collection on behalf of ERD at its 8 and 10:15 a.m. services. It is also encouraging donations directly to the aid organization through its Web site at er-d.org.

Arrison said St. Margaret’s sister parish, St. Etienne’s, which is located in the mountainous north of Haiti, was not badly damaged; the worst effects of the earthquake were felt in the capital of Port au Prince and the areas around it.