Haitian Ministry

A Haitian congregation, Eglise de l'Epiphanie, was first formed in 1990 at St. John's, Stamford. It has steadily grown and includes programs for children, adults, and new immigrants. The community worships regularly at 6 p.m. on Sunday evenings at St. John's, Stamford; one Sunday a month the service is conducted in Haitian Creole. There is a successful summer program for Haitian children in the community, as well. In 2001 an effort began to start a new congregation at St. John's, Bridgeport. The Rev. Wectnick Paul, vicar of Eglise de l'Epiphanie and a native of Haiti, oversees this expanding ministry. It includes a Saturday morning program for children, computer classes, and some help with immigration issues.

To learn more about Haitian Ministry in the diocese of Connecticut, contact the suffragan bishop's office, 860-233-4481 or speak with Pere Paul. His office number in Stamford is 203-964-1517. A half-dozen or so congregations in Connecticut have partnerships with churches or organizations in Haiti, as well. See the page on parish partnerships to see who they are.

The Church Missions Publishing Company of the Diocese provided a grant to publish a book, "Two Good Feet," which contains photos of children at St. Vincent's Episcopal School and Hospital for Handicapped Children, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The photos were taken by professional photojournalist and Haitian native Marc Yves Regis I. The book also contains poems he wrote, giving voice to the children at St. Vincent's, in Creole and English. The book sells for $20 and all proceeds benefit St. Vincent's. Churches that have their own ministry with a church or school in Haiti can buy books in quantity at a discount, to resell at full price to benefit their own ministry. Contact the Diocesan House for more information.