All funds collected will go directly to the Bishop of the Bahamas, allowing him to direct critical help to individuals and families in the Abacos and Grand Bahama.
The Bishop and his colleagues can reach people at this point in ways that no one or no other agency can, and our response will enable him to reach out with practical and life-saving help!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
BREAKING NEWS
The Rector and Vestry of one of our parishes informed me yesterday that they will give a matching gift of $50,000 to match the $50,000 for which I have appealed this week. Therefore if you are planning an appeal in church this Sunday, or if you are considering a parish gift from funds at your disposal, please know that every dollar that is given up to $50,000 in this appeal will be matched.
This is a wonderful and grace-filled act of commitment and love, and I am so grateful to this congregation for this genuinely sacrificial generosity. May this gift focus us all on the truth that each one of us can make a life-changing difference in this situation of desperate need. Now more than ever, in the face of the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, we must live and proclaim the Gospel of love.
+Peter
+ + +
As you read this this morning I am on my way to Nassau to deliver a satellite phone and a first cheque to the Bishop from funds we have already received from the Bishop’s Appeal during this week.
The phone is to go to Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos so that we can set up reliable communication from there, and Bishop Boyd is arranging for government forces to take it there. The cheque will enable the Bishop to begin to help in many practical ways all those in the Abacos and Grand Bahama who need his immediate help.
Thank you to all who have contributed to the Bishop’s Appeal so far. Your response has been as extraordinary as it has been heart-warming, and I am so grateful for the readiness of everyone to help us make God’s love real for our sisters and brothers who need our help so badly right now.
Many communities will be having a public appeal for funds at your services on Sunday, and next week we shall be able to report how we have done in this initial stage of the appeal.
If people who are not members of our diocese ask you what they can do to help, please encourage them to contribute to this appeal. You can forward the Appeal letter or you can simply forward this or any daily message, which have a direct link for donations.
Our sisters and brothers to the north of us in the Carolinas have been suffering considerable damage. We are not yet done with this storm, and please keep them in your prayers.
With love and prayers,
+Peter