This year’s Thanksgiving offering will be given to First Parish’s long-term partner organization in Haiti, the Matenwa Community Learning Center, as it struggles to meet unexpected critical needs caused by recent outbreaks of violence and political strife that have precipitated fuel and food supply crises, aggravated by a sharp drop in value of the national currency.

The students and teachers at Matenwa, a school with a remarkable track record through troubled times in educating youth and training teachers, are suffering especially from an acute food shortage. Our support will be crucial in ensuring they all receive at least one full meal each day. The plentiful sources of nutrition we now take for granted, alas they cannot. Please give generously!

Donations may be made either by cash contribution to the collection plate at on Sunday, November 24; or by check (to First Parish in Lincoln with “special Thanksgiving offering” in the memo line) at one of the next two worship services (November 24 and December 1) or by mail to FPL, P.O. Box 6218, Lincoln MA 01773.