The Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund mounted by the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, in response to the Haitian crisis, has received a welcome boost with a J$100,000 contribution from Christ Church, Vineyard Town.

The donation cheque was recently presented to the Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Rt. Rev. Alfred Reid, by Christ Church Treasurer, Miss Judith Ewart. She was accompanied by the newly-admitted Rector, the Rev. R. M.“Jim” Parkes, and the Rector’s Warden, Mr. Wayne Jarrett. The contribution included funds pooled from the  Collection at the January 19 Admission Service for Rev. Parkes, as well as donations by individual members of the Christ Church congregation.

Rev. Parkes said he was delighted with the response of the Anglican Church in Jamaica, and his congregation, in particular, to the devastation in Haiti; and he promised further contributions to the Fund.

In accepting the donation, Bishop Reid, referred to the tremendous loss and suffering being experienced by the people of Haiti, and, especially, the Episcopal Church which has, nevertheless, been assisting victims of the quake. Bishop Reid re-emphasized “the obligation of members of the local Church to respond to the spiritual and material needs of our brothers and sisters in neighbouring Haiti.” He congratulated the Christ Church family on their initiative and expressed the hope that this donation would motivate other churches in the Diocese to give generously.