Severe Weather Across the United States

Wednesday, October 18, A.D. 2006

All in a period of a week, a quake shakes Hawaii, severe weather hits Houston and other parts of Texas and Louisiana, and western New Yorkers are still recovering from a freak snowstorm.

A 6.6-magnitude earthquake rocked the big island of Hawaii on Sunday. This was Hawaii’s largest earthquake in 20 years. The entire state was without power for a while. Thanks be to God, there were no fatalities and no serious structural damage. The Pacific Southwest Region reported no needs among our Disciples family in Hawaii.

That same day and into Monday, flooding and several tornadoes in Eastern Texas and Southern Louisiana took the lives of four people. Up to a foot of rain dropped in parts of the two states. It is hard to imagine how this part of the United States can sustain even more harsh weather. We are grateful that, as of today, our regional and area offices have not reported any injuries or damages. Likewise, no needs have arisen from the Buffalo area, although western New Yorkers have been without power for many days after the surprise snowstorm of last week. Heavy rains throughout last weekend have not helped people recover from the harsh wintry conditions. We continue to monitor these situations.

Visit Us at Regional Assemblies!

It is the season when many of our regional assemblies take place. While we certainly cannot attend every one, we are pleased to be a part of some. Please look for our Week of Compassion exhibit booths at your regional assembly and be sure to pick up the latest information on all of the ways your dollars and compassion are at work in the world. Take a look at who our partner organizations are, our Hurricane Recovery Initiative with DHM, and a sneak peek at next year’s special offering materials and theme, “Who is my neighbor?”

We are so honored to be in touch with many of our neighbors both here at home and around the world, working together - as different members of the same body of Christ - to alleviate suffering. Be on the look-out for our new Planning and Resource Guide to help you plan your annual Week of Compassion events, arriving in our churches in November. Hope to see you soon at a regional assembly or other Disciples event!

Apply for Work Trip Grants

Many of you have contacted us interested in volunteer opportunities. For those of you planning a mission trip to the Gulf Coast or the Lent Habitat Build in Brazil, please feel free to apply for a work trip grant from Week of Compassion. The purpose of work trip grants is to encourage and support participation of groups from Disciples congregations, regions, and other related organizations in volunteer, hands-on mission and service opportunities. These grants enable Week of Compassion to fulfill further its purpose as the channel for the resources of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in providing ready and compassionate response to human need as a result of natural disaster, poverty, hunger, injustice, war, political and economic upheaval and other crises.

Grants will normally be made for up to $500 for domestic trips and up to $1000 for overseas trips. Grants will be directed to the sponsoring congregation, region or other Disciples-related organization. They should normally be used for materials and supplies or for financial assistance to persons who otherwise would not be able to participate. All groups should remember that Week of Compassion funds have been entrusted to Week of Compassion to use wisely, responsibly and compassionately to bring help and hope to people severely impacted by disaster, poverty, hunger, and other humanitarian deprivations.

Map for Congregations

For the latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster, please visit our website at www.weekofcompassion.org. For a complimentary copy of the WOC map/poster for your congregation, contact Elaine Cleveland at 317.713.2442 or ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.