Atlantic District Publications

Letters from the President - Days of Special Remembrance for Haiti

January 15, 2010 at 10:10 AM

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ in the Atlantic District,

Epiphany Greetings in the Name of Christ, our Light of lights!

As you all know, a terrible and devastating earthquake has struck Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.  In the unrest and chaos of the moment, the toll of human lives lost is not yet known, although estimates are staggeringly high.   Lives, homes, institutions and, in many ways, the nation itself have been leveled at an unimaginable magnitude of destruction.

I am calling for the next two Sundays, January 17 and 24, 2010, to be Days of Special Remembrance for Haiti in all congregations of the Atlantic District.  There are two provisos:  1) to be fervent in prayer for all the people of Haiti, especially those who mourn the loss of loved ones, and most especially for the Missouri Synod pastors, missionaries and parishes located there.  Additionally, please pray for Haitian parishioners and school families in the Atlantic District and most especially for the eight Haitian parishes in our Florida-Georgia District.    2) Gather special offerings on one or both of these Sundays for Relief efforts.

What I would ask you to do in order to best coordinate this effort through our Atlantic District Human Care Task Force is to remit the offering to the Atlantic District, 171 White Plains Road, Bronxville, NY 10708 with the check designated to Haiti Earthquake.  Our unified offering will then be sent in several segments to the Florida-Georgia District which is working in total coordination with our national Human Care and Mission departments to bring the maximum comfort and effective help to Haiti.

That’s Haiti Earthquake c/o The Atlantic District, 171 White Plains Road, Bronxville, NY 10708.

Human Care Task Force Chair Judy Benke will be working with Pr. Derek Lecakes, our Disaster coordinator, in order to develop additional plans of action for the involvement of God’s people here with those in Haiti.  Some have contacted me with requests to go to Haiti or take a group to Haiti.  It is not possible to do so at this time; however, in coordination with the Florida District and national efforts already underway, we will bring up-to-date information on all avenues of assistance.

Websites to visit include the Florida/Georgia District and LCMS World Relief:

• http://www.flga-lcms.org/DistrictOffice/haitiearthquake.htm
• http://www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=891

Two additional items:  First, Pastor Marvin Griffin announces a Prayer Service at 7 PM THIS SUNDAY, January 17, 2010, at Grace Lutheran Church in Queens Village (Springfield Blvd. and Hempstead Ave.).  If any others are holding special services, please contact the District office through Kristen Schulz (kristen.schulz@ad-lcms.org)  so our entire mailing list can be informed.  Secondly, contact Kris as the needs of Haitian parishioners, school families and neighbors in the district are ascertained, so the prayer list can be expanded.

For now, may the Lord shine the Gospel light of Christ on this tragedy and enable and allow us to be the arms and legs and hands and feet of the Body of Christ bringing comfort and strength to those who have been brought so low.


In Christ, our Lord,

Dr. Dave Benke, President
Atlantic District, LCMS
Pastor, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, New York