In thanksgiving for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and as a concrete expression of support in His name for two immediate needs during the Great Fifty Days of Easter, Immanuel’s Easter Appeal began Easter Sunday, April 20 and will conclude on Pentecost, June 8.

The needs targeted by this appeal are two ministries long supported by Immanuel that are facing emergencies:

(1)   Haiti Micah Project -- Emergency in Mirebalais
For over ten years, Immanuel has supported the Haiti Micah Project (HMP), founded in 2005 by the Rev. Joseph Constant, then a priest at the Virginia Theological Seminary. HMP established an orphanage and vocational school, along with a large nutrition program feeding impoverished children. Incorporated as a Virginia charity, HMP employs a staff of over twenty in Mirebalais, Haiti. Mirebalais is also home to the country’s most advanced medical facility, the University Hospital. Haiti has been gripped with violence and unrest since 2021—but mainly in its capital, Port-au-Prince. However, two weeks ago, Mirebalais was overrun by armed gangs. A local priest described the situation in terms of “unspeakable scenes of terror unfolding before our very eyes”. People living in Mirebalais have been killed; and others “walk barefoot, without clothes, without food, without hope.” Thankfully, the Haiti-Micah staff evacuated its children to another town. They are safe but traumatized. We don't know the status of HMP facilities in Mirebalais; but the town’s schools, churches, and businesses are closed. The immediate goal is to get food, clean drinking water, clothing and temporary shelter for staff and children.  The international response to this emergency has been one of detachment. Yet the children of Mirebalais are precious to God. They pray—as we do-- for their daily bread and to be delivered from evil. It may seem hopeless, but they need our prayers and our help to survive.
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​(2)   Christ Church Refugee Ministry
Christ Church Refugee Ministry has been helping refugees in Alexandria since 2016.  The Refugee Ministry – with the help of several Immanuel parishioners – has supported 113 families (roughly 475 individuals) by building relationships with each family, and providing Care Team-support, assistance, and friendship. 13 newer families still need some assistance, but the remaining 100 are self-sufficient – a wonderful metric considering it takes an average of 6 months for a family to become self-sufficient. Right now -- Christ Church Refugee Ministry has the highest number of families seeking help at one time in the history of the ministry. The current urgent situation emerged in late January this year when after going through the US State Department’s 2-year vetting process, these families -- legally in the US, resettled in Alexandria, and promised 3 months of financial resource support—learned overnight with no notice -- the new administration cut all funding to their resettlement agencies. Most families are Afghan, and many of the fathers served with U.S. military or aid groups. Most have children. Rent assistance is especially critical in the early months, as newly arrived parents try to find jobs, enroll their kids in school, learn the bus systems, learn/improve English, and just navigate a completely new life. Our donations help these families stay housed, learn English, and have emergency medical/dental care until they are self-sufficient. And…they will know people in our community care about them and their children.

How to Help

You can support the Easter Appeal by:

(1) Writing a check to Immanuel with Easter Appeal Haiti–Micah or Easter Appeal Christ Church Refugee Ministry in the memo line, OR

(2) Donating online by clicking here – in the "Give to" box press the downward triangle to see the dropdown options.

​Donations made to Easter Appeal (without further designation) will be split between both ministries.  

“Love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-40).