Tornado Recovery Begins in Kansas While Flooding Threatens

Thursday, May 10, A.D. 2007

Less than a week after an EF-5 tornado devastated the small Kansas town of Greensburg, recovery efforts have gotten underway. The tornado killed nine people in the town of 1600 and destroyed about 95% of its structures. Even though local pastors have lost their homes and their congregational facilities, the local ministerial association has been able to meet and is now working to form a long-term recovery/unmet needs committee. Week of Compassion is working with Church World Service and partner U.S. communions to support the development and efforts of that group for the critical long-term rebuilding work ahead.

Local officials are urging groups not to show up to help as unaffiliated volunteer work groups. WOC is also working with the Office of Disciples Volunteering, the Christian Church in Kansas and nearby Disciples congregations to use the “Disciples Mission Station” model developed along the Gulf Coast after the 2005 hurricane season to insure a coordinated Disciples response. Organized work groups may well be needed to help farmers clear their fields of debris and rebuild homes in Greensburg.

While Disciples no longer have a congregation in Greensburg, we do know that Disciples families have been affected; for example, the parents and sister of Angela McGraw, youth director at First Christian Church, Pratt, KS, lost their homes. WOC will be working with those individual Disciples affected to see if we can offer assistance.

The same severe weather system that spawned the Greensburg tornado has also brought heavy rains and flooding to communities throughout the Midwest, especially along the Missouri River system. WOC is in contact with regional/area offices in Kansas, Missouri, Greater Kansas City, Oklahoma and the Upper Midwest. Earlier this week WOC issued an emergency grant to First Christian Church, Great Bend, KS, to assist flood-affected families there and anticipates numerous other responses in the weeks ahead.

Designated contributions are needed and welcomed and can be made to Week of Compassion, attn: Elaine Cleveland, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN, 46206. Click here to make a donation online. Gifts should be marked “Response Fund” or “Tornado.”

Congratulations, Church World Service!

Charity Navigator, one of the largest charity watchdog organizations, has just awarded Church World Service (CWS) its coveted 4 star rating for sound fiscal management. Less than 25% of the charitable organizations CN evaluates receive its highest rating. Disciples and Week of Compassion are major supporters of CWS.

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