Firestorms Rage Across Southern California

Wednesday, October 24, A.D. 2007

Firestorms continue to rage across southern California. A million people have been evacuated. Hundreds of thousands of acres have been engulfed and more than a thousand homes and other structures destroyed. Fierce Santa Ana winds continue to fuel the flames, and many of the fires remain zero percent contained.

Week of Compassion is in regular and frequent contact with the regional office of the Christian Church in the Pacific Southwest and as many local pastors as we can contact. We have learned that numerous Disciples families, especially in the San Diego area, have been evacuated. WOC is also in contact with Church World Service in assessing needs and possibilities for long-term recovery responses.

WOC has begun to garner resources to respond promptly to Disciples families affected, as well as support larger church-related community responses that will develop. Designated gifts can be made to WOC and will be used in their entirety for relief and recovery efforts from the wildfires. Gifts can be made online or sent to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indpls, IN 46206. WOC will continue to post Updates as we gather additional information over the next few days.

Fire Destroys Disciples Church in Texas

In a related story, a lightning strike last week caused an early morning fire that destroyed the facilities of the Center Point Christian Church in Greenville, TX. WOC has responded with a solidarity grant through the Northeast Texas Area Office to assist the congregation. The pastor, the Revd Charles Faulkner, says the church will rebuild and a celebration of the congregation’s 141st anniversary will continue this Sunday as planned.

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.