CWS Issues Appeal for Nor'easter

Thursday, April 19, A.D. 2007

Church World Service (CWS) has just issued an emergency appeal to its member communions in response to the massive weather system that swept across the South and up the East Coast this past weekend. The storm claimed the lives of 16 people, knocked out power to nearly a million homes and caused serious flood and wind damage in several states. CWS has received requests for blankets, health kits and clean-up buckets from numerous local partners and has disaster staff on alert to assist long-term recovery and unmet need efforts.

Week of Compassion has provided an initial grant to the appeal from the Compassion Response Fund and is also contacting Disciples regional and area offices about the impact on our members and congregations.

Disciples Remember Victims of VT Shooting

Since yesterday’s WOC Update about the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech, numerous pastors have responded with word of services of prayer, healing and remembrance in their respective congregations and/or communities.

Click here to read a reflection on the tragedy by Michael Mooty, pastor of Central Christian Church, Lexington, KY, and former member and chair of the WOC Committee.

Click here to view a worship litany prepared for the third Sunday of Eastertide by John H. Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.

Disciples Respond to Church Partners in Zimbabwe

In southern Africa the nation of Zimbabwe continues its downward spiral toward economic, political and social chaos. The inflation rate may well reach 3000% this year. The government continues to use intimidation and fear to hold its grip on power. Life for most Zimbabweans is perilous, tenuous, and, at best, difficult. In the midst of this crisis, our church partners continue to serve their neighbors and witness to the love of Christ as best they can. In the Mt. Selinda region, the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) has literally been transporting the sick to the hospital in wheelbarrows. UCCZ has been trying to raise money from its members to purchase an ambulance, but with most Zimbabweans reduced to poverty by the economic crisis, that is an almost impossible task. WOC is working with the Africa Office in Global Ministries to make that happen right away.

WOC Map/Poster

Click here for the latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster. For a complimentary copy of the WOC map/poster for your congregation, call the office at 317.713.2442 or send an e-mail to ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.