FROM THE PASTOR
We are coming to Lent once more--Ash Wednesday is February 17th--and once more, Christians around the world will ponder the mystery of God's love that has been poured out on a world torn by sin. Here at Faith, we will gather that evening to hear God's word, to confess our sin, and to share in God's holy supper. We will put crosses of ashes on our foreheads, as a sign of God's love for us despite our sin.
But Ash Wednesday is about more than putting on ashes. Lent is a season for renewing our faith, our commitment to God, and our desire to live as God's holy people. Thus, on that Ash Wednesday night, we will hear these words from Isaiah:
Is this not the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free, and
to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and hide not yourself from your own kin.
I read these words, and can't help but think of Haiti.
By now the devastation in Haiti has disappeared from the front page of the paper, and other stories have become the lead on the television news. Despite this, however, the magnitude of the disaster is only now becoming evident, and the need continues to grow. The ELCA has received and processed $1.6 million in gifts, with many more received not yet counted. With these funds, they have provided thousands of people with tents and food, delivered medical supplies for thousands more, and provided two water purification systems to deliver safe water to 50,000 people.
The recovery work in Haiti will go on for quite a while, and contributions will be needed for quite some time as well. If you would like to send a gift, you can mail a check to ELCA Disaster Response, 39330 Treasury Center, Chicago, IL 60694-9300 (include "Haiti Disaster Relief" on the memo line), or you can call the ELCA at 800-638-3522. You can also contribute online--go to https://community.elca.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=538 to donate via credit card.
Many thanks to those who have already given, and to those who will give in the days and weeks ahead.
Pastor Peter
