A transcript of this Reconciling Thought is available at the bottom of this post.
Haiti: Episcopal Relief and Development
Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti and other partners in response to the devastating earthquake that struck on Saturday, August 14, 2021. The Diocese of Haiti, in collaboration with its congregations on the southern peninsula, quickly assessed the most urgent needs of vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, mothers with young children, the elderly, and people whose homes were damaged or destroyed. The diocese selected 400 families in hard-to-reach areas that have been affected by the earthquake and Tropical Storm Grace. With Episcopal Relief & Development’s support, these families will receive direct assistance so that they can meet basic needs such as food, medicine, and housing.
Episcopal Relief & Development remains in close contact with the diocese and other partner organizations on the ground in Haiti as leaders assess needs in their communities. Please continue to pray for those who have been affected by the earthquake, tropical storm, and COVID-19. Donations to the Haiti Fund will help the organization to continue to respond to this disaster.
Afghanistan: Episcopal Migration Ministries
The deteriorating situation in Afghanistan is a humanitarian crisis that has left upwards of 550,000 Afghans internally displaced in the country since the beginning of the year, in addition to 2.9 million Afghans already internally displaced at the end of 2020. Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and migration ministry of The Episcopal Church, is currently working in partnership with the U.S. government to assist Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders with resettlement and direct services through a network of 12 affiliates across the U.S.
As EMM continues to welcome and resettle Afghan SIV’s to the U.S. through their affiliate network, the greatest need continues to be assistance with housing. Your financial donation will directly support providing basic services and assistance with housing to newly-arrived Afghan SIV’s and assist EMM in expanding its work in developing sponsorships for Afghan SIVs.
Alternatively, checks may be mailed to:
DFMS-Protestant Episcopal Church US
P.O. Box 958983
St. Louis, MO 63195-8983
(Include Episcopal Migration Ministries in the memo line.)
Neighbors Welcome: EMM Responds to Afghanistan
Friday, August 27, 1-:145 PM ET
Join Episcopal Migration Ministries and The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations for a conversation about The Episcopal Church’s response to the Afghanistan evacuations and how we can support our Afghan allies. The presentation will include a status update, information about pathways by which our allies may arrive in the U.S., and information about how individuals and congregations can help. Registration is required.
Tennessee: Diocese of Tennessee
The Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee, based in Nashville, is collecting funds to assist the town of Waverly after recent flooding. You can donate online or by mail. Make sure to put Waverly Flood Assistance in the memo line.
Alternatively, mail checks to:
Diocese of Tennessee
3700 Woodmont Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37215
(Include Waverly Flood Assistance in the memo line.)
Transcript
– Hi, I’m Bishop Brian. I want to speak to you today about three places in our world where there is deep hurt and harm, and ways that you and I in the Dioceses of East Tennessee can assist in aiding those places.
Earlier this month in Haiti, there were devastating and deadly earthquakes. It is good to know that Episcopal Relief & Development is already on the ground there, assisting and rebuilding, and caring for folks in need. At the end of this video, we will show a link where you can give directly to the Haiti Fund of the Episcopal Relief & Development. They are good partners, they are good stewards of your resources and your gifts. I’d encourage you to give to that effort.
In the country of Afghanistan, a humanitarian crisis is emerging right in front of our eyes. And the Episcopal Migration Ministries, which we proudly support, are helping to relocate refugees around the globe, and in our country. So at the end of this video, there’ll be a link for Episcopal Migration Ministries, and how to give directly to their Afghanistan appeal.
Finally, very close to home, there were deadly floods this past weekend near Waverly, Tennessee. And we’ve reached out to Bishop John Bauerschmidt and to the Episcopal Dioceses of Tennessee, and we’ll share a link to their website, to their disaster relief fund. I’d encourage you, if you want to give to that fund, to give directly and I think they ask for a specific way to put those monies directly to work. So you want to say to the Waverly Fund Effort. That way they’ll know where to put those dollars.
I’d encourage you to give, to continue to pray for folks in those places where there is harm and hurt, knowing that Episcopalians, fellow Christians, people of faith are working in all of those efforts, and would encourage you to give, to give generously and to know by supporting Episcopal Relief & Development, by supporting Episcopal Migration Ministries, and by supporting the Episcopal Dioceses of Tennessee, the money that you give will be used well, used wisely and they will be good stewards of your support. Thank you, thank you, thank you.