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Copyright © 2004 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee | May / June 2004 |
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REACH
OUT: MISSION MATTERS St. Joseph, Sevierville, spearheads drive to send Haitian children vitamins |
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By Howard Hilton Less than
600 miles off the coast of the United States — less than the distance from
Knoxville to Orlando — lies the Western Hemisphere’s most densely populated,
poorest nation.
After centuries of political turmoil and resultant economic upheaval,
Haiti’s needs are nearly unfathomable to Americans.
But the Episcopal Church has a strong presence in Haiti; it provides
health care and education and ministers through nearly 100 congregations,
missions and preaching stations.
Searching for some way to help, the Episcopal Peace Fellowship group
at St. Joseph the Carpenter in Sevierville, under the direction of the
Rev. Rob Henley, decided to concentrate its efforts on a single need.
Research showed the children’s need for vitamins to combat malnutrition,
which contributes significantly to deaths among young Haitians.
Recently, St. Joseph’s delivered a 50-pound case of children’s vitamins
to the Rev. Laine Calloway, a deacon in the Diocese of Western North Carolina.
She has taken on the task of collecting contributions and forwarding them
to church officials in Haiti for distribution.
In explaining what is envisioned as an on-going effort, Henley said,
“It is our hope that other parishes will join us in this important outreach
program.
“The needs are simple: children’s chewable vitamins in 30- or 60-count
bottles or the funds with which to buy them; and empty prescription bottles
so that any bulk purchases of vitamins can be broken down into smaller
quantities.
“And, of course, we need your prayers for the children of Haiti.”
Henley said that although no official structure is in place, St. Joseph
would be happy to serve as the diocese’s coordinating organization for
the collection, purchase and dissemination of vitamins to the children
of Haiti.
St. Joseph, Sevierville, 865-453-0943.
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