SPECIAL OFFERING FOR SEPTEMBER
Support for the People of Haiti
For the last month, we have been praying for the people of Haiti and Afghanistan. And the Board of Wider Mission (also known as the Love and Justice in Action Team) has been researching ways to offer support to our siblings in both nations. We don’t know yet how we can help the people of Afghanistan, but we are listening and looking for opportunities. We do know ways we can support the people of Haiti. For the month of September, we invite you to give to our special offering, which will be split between two organizations: the United Church of Christ Special Appeal for Haiti and Ayiti Community Trust.
Our decision to give through two organizations reflects our congregation’s commitments to work for racial justice, which we voted in our May congregational meeting. As we seek to align our mission giving with our commitments, we are looking for ways to support organizations that are founded and led by people of color.
The Ayiti Community Trust (ayiticommunitytrust.org) is founded and led by Haitian people who mission is “to support and sustain development innovation in Ayiti in the areas of civic education, environment, and entrepreneurship.” Their strategy is to “mobilize Haitians and friends of Ayiti to invest in Haitian-led asset-based innovation using a community foundation model backed by an endowment.”
The United Church of Christ’s work in Haiti is also in alignment with our goals. Throughout the world, the UCC seeks to work through local partners, at their request, to support their goals and needs. In Haiti, we work through CONASPEH (the National Spiritual Council of Haitian Churches), and House of Hope.
We invite you to give generously through the month of September to support our siblings in Haiti.