Official Hurricane Season Ends Quietly

Thursday, November 30, A.D. 2006

People up and down the Atlantic seaboard and all across the Gulf South are breathing a huge collective sigh of relief as an unexpected and unusually mild hurricane season ends today. 2004 and 2005 were two of the costliest and most damaging hurricane seasons in meteorological history, and communities across Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas are still years away from normalcy. Hurricane Katrina alone killed more than 1500 people, left tens of thousands homeless and caused billions of dollars of damage.

2006 had been predicted to be another busy year, but there were just nine named storms, only two of which were major storm systems. Only two tropical storms hit the U.S. mainland, neither causing significant damage. In 2005 there were 28 named storms, 15 reaching hurricane strength and four striking the U.S., including Katrina and Rita.

Disciples Hurricane Efforts Continue

Grateful for such a mild season, Disciples nevertheless are moving at full speed with hurricane recovery efforts. Week of Compassion, in partnership with Disciples Home Missions' Office of Disciples Volunteering, the Great River and Southwest regions, five local Disciples Mission Stations, scores of ecumenical church partners, and hundreds of Disciples congregations across the whole church, is supporting hurricane recovery work all across the Gulf South. One major program, the Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, seeks to put 750 work teams into the region from September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2008. Just 3 months into the initiative more than 140 groups (20% of our goal) have either gone or have registered to go. Please visit the WOC website.

No Reprieve of Violence in Darfur

Unfortunately, the storms of violence, genocide and mayhem continue unabated in Darfur, Sudan. In spite of the violence, lack of security and harsh working conditions, the Darfur Emergency Response Operation (DERO) - a joint effort of Action by Churches Together and Caritas Internationalis - continues to provide care for tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees. Personal stories and other information on Darfur are now posted on the WOC website.

In response to a major appeal to ACT members, WOC is working to provide at least $50,000 for Darfur relief on behalf of Disciples before the end of the year. Designated gifts are needed and can be made online or sent to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indpls, IN 46206.

WOC Associate Travels to India

WOC Associate, Amy Gopp, is traveling in southern India to visit the tsunami recovery efforts of church partners, including the Church of North India and Churches Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA). It's been nearly two years since a devastating tsunami killed nearly a quarter of a million people, left millions homeless, and devastated thousands of communities in Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other Indian Ocean countries. Disciples have contributed more than $2 million for tsunami relief and recovery work, and we look forward to a firsthand update on some of those efforts when Amy returns.

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.