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Central Florida Presbytery is the 10-county regional governing body that encompasses Oviedo Presbyterian and 74 other congregations.

CFP Mission Statement:

• to equip, strengthen and support congregations in their ministries in service to Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:1-16) and

LORD, WHEN WAS IT THAT WE SAW YOU?

On January 12, a powerful earthquake hit approximately ten miles from the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. An earthquake of this magnitude would be devastating to any city, but in one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere its effects are catastrophic. Millions of people have been affected by this disaster and tens of thousands—possibly hundreds of thousands—are feared dead. With many of the established sources of safety and security demolished—churches, schools, hospitals and government buildings—survivors are searching for signs of hope and help.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). PDA is rushing an initial $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds to provide immediate emergency relief to the affected people. Funds are being sent through our ecumenical and local partners working in Haiti.

Presbyterian World Mission is gathering information on the safety and status of our mission personnel and ecumenical partners in the area. For updates on the earthquake and the church’s response, please visit the PDA Web site. Financial support for relief efforts can be designated to DR000064.

Gifts can also be made by phone at (800) 872-3283, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST), and checks can be mailed to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

What you can do?

As God’s people, we are called to stand in the “GAP”— GIVE, ACT, PRAY.

Give – Financial support for relief efforts can be made online and designated to DR000064. Your gifts, combined with those of others, provide a visible and tangible demonstration of God’s care in the midst of this tragedy. Recovery will be a difficult and long process, but Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has time and time again modeled a faithful response over the long haul.

Act – Congregations and individuals can put together hygiene kits and baby kits to be distributed through Church World Service. For information, visit the PDA Web site.

Pray – Join with others in lifting up the people of Haiti and those seeking to provide aid in this critical time. As the eyes of the world turn to Haiti, let us join our hearts in prayer:

God of compassion, please watch over the people of Haiti, and weave out of these terrible events wonders of goodness and grace. Surround those who have been affected by tragedy with a sense of your present love, and hold them in faith. Though they are lost in grief, may they find you and be comforted; guide us as a church to find ways of providing assistance that heals wounds and gives hope. Help us to remember that when one of your children suffers we all suffer. Through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives and rules this world with you. Amen.

Haiti Earthquake Response FAQ.

Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); Linda Valentine, Executive Director, General Assembly Mission Council, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As the eyes of the world turn to Haiti, let us join our hearts in prayer:

God of compassion
Please watch over the people of Haiti,
And weave out of these terrible happenings
wonders of goodness and grace.
Surround those who have been affected by tragedy
With a sense of your present love,
And hold them in faith.
Though they are lost in grief,
May they find you and be comforted;
Guide us as a church
To find ways of providing assistance
that heals wounds and provides hope
Help us to remember that when one of your children suffer
We all suffer
Through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives
and rules this world with you. Amen.

(Adapted from Book of Common Worship)
— Bruce Reyes-Chow, Gradye Parsons and Linda Valentine

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding to this earthquake through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and its partners. Presbyterian World Mission is gathering information on the safety and status of our mission personnel and ecumenical partners in the area. For updates on the earthquake and the church’s response, please continue to visit PDA. Initial reports indicate a large number of casualties and widespread damage especially in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

You, too, can be part of God’s answer to prayer for those affected by this disaster. Information on the situation and prayers and worship resources will soon be available. Funds from One Great Hour of Sharing are already helping with the initial response.

Please consider giving in support of the relief efforts:

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: Link to Give

American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/