Severe Weather Strikes Large Portion of U.S.

Thursday, January 10, A.D. 2008

Severe weather systems have again brought flood and wind damage to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and into the Central Rocky Mountain states, as well as tornadoes, high winds and flooding from Arkansas up to Wisconsin. Week of Compassion is still making contact with regional offices and congregations, but we are already aware of congregations with members affected and/or supporting local response efforts. Conversations are underway with FCC, Sparks, NV to support local flood recovery in hard-hit Fernley, NV, and with First CC, Watseka, IL and Monticello (IN) CC to assist both impacted Disciples families and community relief efforts.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email the WOC office (317.713.2450 or jwray@woc.disciples.org) if you know of congregations with whom we need to make contact. Thanks.

Church's Response to Kenya Expands

Upon request from Kenyan church partners, Church World Service has expanded its recent appeal to member churches from $23,000 to $280,000 to support relief and reconciliation responses to the recent violence and civil unrest that followed Kenya’s disputed national elections. The three partners included in the appeal - the Kenyan Evangelical Lutheran Church, the National Council of Churches in Kenya, and the Organization of African Instituted Churches - are working to assist more than 72,000 of the most vulnerable affected persons with emergency food, blankets, bedding, clothing and psycho-social care. After making a grant of $2000 to the initial CWS appeal, Week of Compassion is now providing an additional $14,800 to the expanded response.

Dr. Sam Kobia, the president of the World Council of Churches and himself a Kenyan, has called on Kenya’s political leaders to keep moving toward dialogue and has appealed to churches across the world to pray for the Kenyan people and churches and to provide humanitarian aid through our ecumenical partners in the country.

Souper Bowl Just Weeks Away

As one of Souper Bowl of Caring's sponsoring partners, Week of Compassion continues to encourage Disciples youth groups to participate in this year’s hunger and poverty fundraising initiative on Sunday, February 3. In 2007, 370 Disciples youth groups collected more than $144,000 as part of more than 14,000 youth organizations that generated more than $8 million for charities across the United States. Since it began in 1990, Souper Bowl of Caring has raised more than $41 million for people in need. For resources and materials, visit the SBC website.

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.