WeekEnd of Compassion: where the End is just the beginning!

Thursday, August 30, A.D. 2007

The very first “WeekEnd of Compassion” will take place April 11-13, 2008, at the Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville, TN. We're planning it for people just like you reading this update – folks who are deeply devoted to mission and outreach and lifting up the ways that Week of Compassion can be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. As I travel around the country meeting Disciples in so many different churches, it has become apparent to me that churches and lay leaders/outreach pastors are doing amazing things to lift up Week of Compassion, but they rarely get the opportunity to share those ideas with others. So, this is your chance! Do you have creative ideas for compassionate ministry you are excited to share with other Disciples across the country? Do you need inspiration and affirmation to continue the outreach you are already doing?

Then plan on attending the WeekEnd, a creative forum for exchanging ideas, empowering each other and inspiring the church. Together, we will celebrate ways Week of Compassion has been a catalyst for change in the lives of so many who suffer in the world, as well as in the lives of those who give of their time, energy, and resources. We will explore outreach possibilities across our denomination and revitalize our commitment to act as agents of compassion in this world that so desperately needs it.

Please join us in Nashville next spring for a WeekEnd of dynamic workshops, small group Bible study, lay-leadership development, innovative worship, challenging preaching and theological reflection, and inspiring exchanges with other Disciples from across the country. The WeekEnd will begin on a Friday evening, with dinner, and will end with worship on Sunday morning.

Registration is now open. Participation is limited, so please register today!

Ohio Cleans Up

As you know, floods devastated many areas in NW Ohio last week. First Christian Church in Findlay, Ohio, was especially hard hit. In the midst of such a difficult time, we received word that conferees from Advance Conference of Camp Christian, Ohio, offered their helping hands. Young adults from all over the Ohio Region traveled to Findlay to help the church clean up last Saturday, spending the entire day there. This next weekend they will once again travel from all parts of Ohio back to Findlay to help with continued recovery and clean-up efforts. Thank you to all those who gave their time or will do so this upcoming Saturday – what a blessing when the community we create at one of our Disciples camps goes out into the world to be “camp” in places that so need to be reminded they are not alone. Thank you, Advance Conference of Ohio! You are an example of what it means to be Church.

WOC Staff in Sudan

Please continue to lift up in prayer all those suffering in the Sudan, as well as Johnny Wray, Director of WOC, who is traveling through Darfur, Sudan this week. We have been relentless in our efforts to respond to this horrific crisis and hope that you will also help us keep the Sudan in front of your churches and communities. Click here to access resources and worship materials developed jointly by Disciples and the UCC for use in churches.

WOC Map/Poster

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