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congregational resources
disaster response resources
The Diocese of Chicago has developed several protocols for response to natural disasters, locally and globally. These involve identifiying local relief and recovery resources for members of the diocesan community affected by a local event; communicating diocesan response efforts to a disaster; providing information on disaster prevention and protection; and providing pastoral and liturgical resources for responding to disasters.
Haiti earthquake disaster
The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti January 12 has left the capital city of Port-au-Prince in ruins, taken the lives of tens of thousands of Haitians and international workers and peacekeepers, and displaced up to a third of the population. Relief is flowing to the western hemisphere's most impoverished nation, but its delivery is hampered by damaged roads and ports, disrupted communications, and a barely functioning network of public services.
Agencies, including Episcopal Relief and Development, are sending in supplies and professional aid workers to address immediate needs and assess the longterm rebuilding of the nation. As much as financial support is needed now—and it is the most effective way the average person can make a difference for Haiti—those contributions will be critical in the months and years ahead as Haiti rebuilds. |
CRY HAITI
A compilation of news reports and commentary |
Port-au-Prince neighborhood after the quake (photo from ECHO/Red Cross)
How you can help:
Information
Message from the Presiding Bishop "Shaken to the Bone" January 19, 2010
Message from the Presiding Bishop January 13, 2010
Message from the Assistant Bishop of Chicago January 13, 2010
Message from the Archbishop of Canterbury
Message from the Bishops of Province II
Message on Volunteering from Episcopal Relief and Development
U.S. State Department toll free phone number for inquiring about family in Haiti:
1-888-407-4747
Video interview with Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin, Diocese of Haiti
Resources
Bulletin insert (English) Bulletin insert (Spanish)
Episcopal Life Online news reports
Episcopal Relief and Development news reports
Litany in response to the earthquake in Haiti (The Rev. William Chip Stokes blog, Diocese of Southeast Florida)
Haiti background history, culture, economy, politics, geography, religion
Haiti Crisis Map from Fletcher School of Tuft University
Map of Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Map of Haiti
HoldingHaiti Blog by Mallory Holding, Young Adult Service Corps missionary in Haiti
Prayer for Haiti (composed by the Rev. Frank Logue, Diocese of Southeast Florida)
Propers on the Occasion of a Disaster (Holy Women, Holy Men-SCLM)
Where is God in the Haitian earthquake? Video by the Rev. Frank Logue, www.kingofpeace.org
The Three R's of Disasters by Robert Radtke of Episcopal Relief & Development
Commentary
A Work in Progress – Mary Novario
Haiti editorials compilation McClatchy news organization
Martin Luther King Jr. Day sermon by Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori
Haiti background
Republic of Haiti
Population: 10,033,000
Languages: Creole and French
Area: 10,714 square miles (size of the state of Maryland)
Capital: Port-au-Prince, population 2.3 million (metro area)
Government: Republic
President: René Préval
GDP: $11.57 billion
Per capita GDP: $1,317
Poverty rate: 80% below the poverty line ($2 a day)
Education: literacy rate is 65.9%
Religion: Roman Catholicism (80%), Protestant (16%), Afro-diasporic (4%)
Episcopal Diocese of Haiti background
Number of members: over 100,000
Number of congregations/fellowships: 115
Number of schools: 200 +
Episcopal leadership: The Rt. Rev. Jean Zaché Duracin
Website: http://www.egliseepiscopaledhaiti.org/
Diocesan address:
Address Haïti :
Eglise Episcopale d'Haïti
BP 1309, Port au Prince
Haïti
Address USA :
c/o Lynx Air
P.O. Box 407139
Fort Lauderdale, 33340
USA
Preparing for a Potential Flu Pandemic
The return of the H1N1 swine flu this fall has raised concerns among schools, churches and community organizations. the U.S. World Health Organization has reported 46,000 cases of H1N1 this year, around 8,000 of which are in Region 5, the Upper Midwest. The WHO reports the worldwide incidence of H1N1 to be around 300,000 cases. More information at the WHO's H1N1 update or the Centers for Disease Control's H1N1 page.
Bishop Anderson House and the diocesan Office of Pastoral Care have prepared a brochure for congregations: Congregations and the Flu which includes guidelines for liturgies, a description of flu symptoms, and definitions of swine flu and seasonal flu. A Spanish language brochure is also available.
Episcopal Relief and Development has created a web page to address common questions on the swine flu outbreak and provide links to a number of resources for preparing and responding to a pandemic. Visit the EDR Pandemic Influenza page for more information and read the news release on Pandemic and Seasonal Flu.
Province IV of the Episcopal Church has developed a comprehensive Disaster Relief Manual that includes a section on how churches should respond during a pandemic. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Davenport, Iowa has published a diocesan response plan that incorporates Centers for Disease Control recommendations. The Episcopal Church's Liturgy and Music Office has guidelines for health precautions and Holy Communion.
Our Office of Pastoral Care recommends the use of two prayers from Enriching Our Worship 2 in the weekly Prayers of the People. Prayers for health and healing.
Basic Flu Protection Protocol
Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
(primary entry points for viruses)
Cover your mouth and nose
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with a tissue, or cough into your sleeve or arm
- Dispose of the tissue in a trash receptacle
Wash your hands
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (long enough to sing the Happy Birthday song twice)
- Use hand sanitizers that contain alcohol
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Clean common surfaces
- Use bleach or a disinfectant to clean and sanitize common surfaces (computer keyboards, phones, door and drawer handles, faucet handles, appliance handles, grab bars)
Keep your distance
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid public places
- Stay home if you are sick
Call or see your healthcare provider if you have these flu-like symptons:
- Fever over 100 degrees
- Fatigue
- Body aches
- Lack of appetite
- Coughing or sneezing
(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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