Pastor's Pen

A Monthly Reflection

by

Rev. Dr. Ronald F. Rosenau

Dear Friends,

The MPC Vision Statement, adopted by the Session just over a year ago, describes what MPC might look like in 4-5 years if we remained faithful and committed to our mission. In its very first sentence we read:

Grounded in the grace of God, as members of the MPC congregation, we will understand that God’s gifts are freely and generously given so that they may be freely and generously shared – both for strengthening the church and for meeting the needs of a hurting world.

Without question we are living into the reality of that vision, the most recent example being your “free and generous” response to the needs of the hurting people of Haiti. In the 4 weeks since the earthquake devastated the country and decimated its population gifts from MPC members totaled $3,800, with more donations coming in weekly.

In the weeks since Haiti’s Jan.12 earthquake, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its partners have mobilized to help, both on the ground in Haiti and from the United States. Through its partnerships with Church World Service and Act International, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance was able to help ship baby kits and hygiene kits to Haiti the day after the earthquake. As of Feb. 2, PDA has collected about $2 million in donations for Haiti relief and recovery. So far, $409,000 has been sent — $209,000 for the kits and $200,000 for a Leogane hospital that was damaged in the earthquake.

For your free and generous response to the needs of a hurting world, and for your ongoing commitment to the mission of MPC, thank you.

The peace of Christ be with you all,

Ron Rosenau,
Pastor