Rains in the Northwest Cause Severe Flooding

Thursday, November 9, A.D. 2006

On Wednesday, hundreds of communities in both Washington and Oregon were severely impacted by flooding. Many people had to take refuge in churches, shelters or with family and friends. Disaster News Network reports that “All major rivers in western Washington are [still] at or above flood stage.” States of emergency have already been declared in both states. Two homes of Disciples families at First Christian Church in Sumner, Washington, were literally washed away. We are in conversation with the church staff and the Northwest Region to assist these families and the wider community.

Amish Girls Back Home

Our cherished Mennonite colleague, Kevin King, Director of Mennonite Disaster Service, reports this week that four of the five Amish girls who almost lost their lives in the ruthless shooting in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, are now back home. They receive home health care on a regular basis and are slowly readjusting to school. Week of Compassion wishes to thank the individuals and churches for the thoughtful donations received for this crisis. We also praise God for the stunning model of forgiveness and Christian grace the Amish have exhibited throughout this traumatic season in their community.

Recovery in Lebanon Continues

The 34-day Israeli-Hezbollah violent conflict has left many Lebanese villages, roads, and lives destroyed. The situation is gradually returning to a state of normalcy, but many folks are struggling with ongoing security fears and traumatic memories of the fighting. Week of Compassion responded to the Lebanese crisis through our membership in the global alliance, Action by Churches (ACT) International. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), also a member of ACT, has acted as one of our major implementing partner organizations in the region, as well as the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Network for Development and Relief in Lebanon, which is distributing food, blankets, hygiene kits, cooking utensils, heaters, other relief supplies and repairing schools. MECC is also working to re-establish the supply of water into many bombed-out villages, as well as provide psychosocial rehabilitation and land-mine and unexploded ammunition clearance.

More information on recovery in Lebanon

Map for Congregations

For the latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster, click here. For a complimentary copy of the WOC map/poster for your congregation, contact Elaine Cleveland at 317.713.2442 or ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.

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