Week of Compassion - Haiti Needs Your Help

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Week of Compassion continues to respond to the horrific devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti.

Click here to read updates from Week of Compassion and its Partner Organizations.

What Disciples Are Doing...

Worship Resources

Worship Resources: Haiti Earthquake Response, Week of Compassion

Worship & Prayer Resources Following a Natural Disaster

Here are biblical texts that deal with earthquakes that invite opportunites for reflection, grieving, and responding:

Psalm 46:1-3
Isaiah 54:9-10(11-12)
Acts 16:25-34
Hebrews 12:26-28

More worship resources from Church World Service.

Our Partners In Relief

Interview with Rick Santos

More From Disciples Congregations

Six Memphis area congregations ( Bethany CC, Eads; Collierville CC, Collierville, TN; Graceland CC, Southhaven, MS; First CC, Tupelo, MS; Central CC, Memphis; Decatur Trinity CC, Memphis, and Lindenwood CC, Memphis) prepared more than 650 CWS hygiene kits and 60 CWS baby kits in response to the recent appeal from Week of Compassion and in support of Church World Service earthquake relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. Mike Lee (Graceland) and Johnny Wray (Lindenwood) delivered the kits to the CWS warehouse at the Ferncliff Conference Center in Little Rock.

Solidarity Letter to Haitian Churches

Dear Friends,

At this time of such overwhelming need in Haiti, we know that our own Disciples Haitian churches and families are also suffering. I wanted to be intentional about reaching out to them after such a tragedy so they would know that Week of Compassion and our partners are already on the ground providing relief assistance. Some of them have also contacted us to ask how they can best respond. I know that it is incredibly frustrating for many of them who want to go to Haiti but at this time it is just not feasible or helpful. They have been relieved to know that our implementing partner organizations are already at work there, on our behalf, thanks to our gifts.

Working in partnership with New Church Ministry, who has been a crucial link in helping us support our Haitian sisters and brothers, we are sending this letter of solidarity to those churches. I thank Charlie Wallace here, especially, for all of his support—even at such a time as this when I know how personally he is grieving after his years of service in Haiti.

Please feel free to disseminate this letter to your respective Haitian congregations and new churches. And, as always, don't hesitate to call me with any questions or concerns.

We continue to pray for the people of Haiti as we find comfort in knowing that God is with them and us, even in the midst of such destruction and heartache.

Faithfully,

Amy

ACT Alliance in Haiti

Haiti Assistance Income Tax Relief Act

The Senate and House have unanimously passed legislation that allows taxpayers to deduct cash charitable contributions to aid victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The bill was signed by President Obama on Friday, January 22, 2010. This includes contributions to local congregations designated for Week of Compassion Haiti Relief.

Under this law, a donor who makes a cash contribution for the relief of Haitian earthquake victims after January 11, 2010 and before March 1, 2010 can take a tax deduction for the gift for either 2009 or 2010. The law refers to this as an "acceleration" of the contribution deduction, since it may be claimed on the tax return filed for 2009, even though given in 2010.

Churches that receive gifts from members are not required to issue a second contribution letter to members who choose the accelerated method. Members who make gifts to their church for Week of Compassion Haiti Relief and who choose the accelerated contribution method are required to keep their own record of the contribution. When their 2010 statement is issued from the congregation, the donor is expected to modify their deduction on their 2010 Tax Forms. Members who took the accelerated method are advised to keep a second copy of the 2010 contribution statement from the church with their 2009 tax records.

The law addresses the Federal contribution deduction. Donors will need to check their own states' for conformity and should consult with their tax advisor.

Relief Music

Andra Moran is donating all proceeds of her latest album, "In Small Things" to Week of Compassion's relief efforts in Haiti.

Click here to listen to Andra and purchase her CD online.

Children's Response

Young Disciples from FCC, Florence, AL, sent to Week of Compassion cards for those suffering in Haiti, along with $90. The kids took an offering all last year and decided that they wanted to send what they had collected to Haiti.