Haiti Connection 2001

22 August 2001

Episcopal mission groups active in Haiti will join with Haitian diocesan leaders in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on 24, 25 and 26 October to share a vision and continue to build relationships.

The Haiti Connection Conference, rescheduled from March, is sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti and Episcopal Relief and Development. Persons of all levels of interest and experience in mission work in Haiti are welcome to attend.

The conference is a response to the General Convention Resolution A012 that called for work in partnership with the Diocese of Haiti to address the most urgent needs of the Haitian people and to learn from the spirituality and witness of Episcopalians and Christians in Haiti.

The program features sessions in three specific fields of mission, each a possible area of partnership: education, health care, and community development. Each session draws on the practical experience of several active, successful programs. The presentations will be followed by panel discussions.

The Rev. Jean-Zache Duracin, Bishop of the Diocese of Haiti, will present his vision for ministry in Haiti at the opening of the conference. Other main speakers include: Dr. Bryant Freeman, director of the Department of Haitian Studies, University of Kansas; The Rev. Titus Presler, author of the book "Horizons of Mission"; and The Rev. Roger Bowen, head, York School, Monterey, California.

Some of the Haitian presenters include:
the Rev. David Cesar, director of Holy Trinity School;
the Rev. Frantz Cole and the Rev. Kenol Rock, from Les Cayes Project;
Dr. Jack LaFontant, Director, Holy Cross Hospital;
Nicole Magloire, Director of St. Vincent's Centre, and
The Rev. Fritz Valdemar and his wife Carmel from the island of La Gonave.

The conference will end on Friday afternoon with visits to Holy Trinity Cathedral, St. Vincent's Centre for Handicapped Children, and other sites in Port-au-Prince. Several groups plan to visit mission sites throughout Haiti following the conference.