Disciples congregations are invited to join the “Circle of Compassion,” an initiative designed to strengthen the work and witness of Week of Compassion for generations to come.
The goal is to enlist 100 Disciples congregations to establish a named fund of at least $10,000 each in the Week of Compassion Endowment Fund at the Christian Church Foundation. Once established, distributions will be made annually to Week of Compassion from the fund “in perpetuity” in the name of the congregation. The distribution will also be added to the congregation’s regular Week of Compassion giving, thus increasing the congregation’s annual support.
The term “circle of compassion” comes from a lesson learned from an African pastor who spoke about compassion as a circle. Sometimes we give, and at other times we receive-- but most of the time we cannot tell the difference. We are always blessed in both the receiving and the giving, and so the circle continues.
The ways in which congregations contribute are as exciting and varied as you can imagine: whether by making a tithe from a capital campaign; soliciting individual gifts from selected donors in the congregation; moving funds from current permanent funds the congregation already holds; honoring a pastor’s anniversary or retirement, or a member for whom WoC has been especially important; or holding a special fund raising event outside the regular WoC observance time. The possibilities are endless, and we would love to talk more about how your church can join the Circle!
Contact us to learn more about becoming a Circle of Compassion congregation!
The goal is to enlist 100 Disciples congregations to establish a named fund of at least $10,000 each in the Week of Compassion Endowment Fund at the Christian Church Foundation. Once established, distributions will be made annually to Week of Compassion from the fund “in perpetuity” in the name of the congregation. The distribution will also be added to the congregation’s regular Week of Compassion giving, thus increasing the congregation’s annual support.
The term “circle of compassion” comes from a lesson learned from an African pastor who spoke about compassion as a circle. Sometimes we give, and at other times we receive-- but most of the time we cannot tell the difference. We are always blessed in both the receiving and the giving, and so the circle continues.
The ways in which congregations contribute are as exciting and varied as you can imagine: whether by making a tithe from a capital campaign; soliciting individual gifts from selected donors in the congregation; moving funds from current permanent funds the congregation already holds; honoring a pastor’s anniversary or retirement, or a member for whom WoC has been especially important; or holding a special fund raising event outside the regular WoC observance time. The possibilities are endless, and we would love to talk more about how your church can join the Circle!
Contact us to learn more about becoming a Circle of Compassion congregation!
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Download the Circle of Compassion Brochure
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Stories of Compassion
University Christian Church has always had a heart for Week of Compassion. It captures for us a way to live Jesus’ commandment to love each other from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth. We were honored to be asked to join the Circle of Compassion and support its important work in ever widening that circle of love. We can count on Week of Compassion to faithfully carry on Christ's work of love and care where ever it is needed, and we are grateful to be part of it.
Rev. Cyndy Twedell, WOC University Christian Church, Ft. Worth, TX Circle of Compassion Fund
Memorial Boulevard Christian Church has supported Week of Compassion with an Annual Hike Against Hunger for 41 years. With the Hike, the special offering and God’s help, we’ve been able to raise a total of $618,000 for Week of Compassion. It has truly been a blessing. Two years ago, we chose to give $1,000 to the Week of Compassion Circle of Compassion because we want to see this life giving ministry grow for our sisters and brothers around the world. We hope to continue to make a contribution of $1000 until we have raised $10,000. What a JOY!
Rev. Margaret Pride, WOC Memorial Blvd Christian Church, St. Louis, MO, Circle of Compassion Fund
Week of Compassion has long been a beloved offering for the members of Battery Park Christian Church. We’ve been especially proud of being a part of the “Circle of Compassion” and our contribution to it. It has been important to so many in our congregation to reach out to those in need, especially in times of disaster and for development purposes providing for longer relief and a vision for the future. We have been very blessed to be a part of the circle, and each year we look forward to the report that tells us how much our Circle endowment has earned to support this ministry.
Rev. Rachael Woodall, WOC Battery Park Christian Church, Richmond, VA Circle of Compassion Fund
We honored Pastor Janet Long’s 25th anniversary with Washington Avenue Christian Church by collecting a major gift for Week of Compassion—a cause for which we all share a passion. Soon thereafter, we were invited to consider becoming a Circle of Compassion congregation. Well on our way to the commitment of investing $10,000 in a permanent fund, it was an easy decision to make. With a “From Our Doorsteps…” fund already in place to make grants to address the needs of friends, neighbors and co-workers of members, we viewed this as an opportunity to launch an “…Ends of the Earth” fund to address the needs of all our neighbors.
Washington Ave. Christian Church, Elyria, OH, WOC “To the Ends of the Earth” Circle of Compassion Fund
One of the traits of Pershing Avenue Christian Church that I most admire is its ability to make the impossible seem possible. So, when I was asked to serve on the Week of Compassion Committee, I challenged the church to join the Circle of Compassion as a symbol of PACC putting our Compassion into Action. Daunting for a small congregation—$10,000. “…you will always have disasters with you.”
We remember standing on our campus the morning after Hurricane Charlie barreled through Orlando—damage, debris, trees and power lines felled, impassable roads—our leadership team strategizing how to connect with members across the city when my cell phone rang, breaking through the eerie silence of the storm’s aftermath. “Lindy, this is Week of Compassion….how can we help?”
PACC rises to the challenge to grow our permanent fund each year so that others will hear, amidst their own experience, that ring which brings prayer, support, resources, and most importantly compassion. The Circle is PACC’s touchstone to tell the story, to help our words become action, to extend God’s compassion through us, so that others’ hearts might move from being troubled to finding peace.
Rev. Melinda Wood, WOC Pershing Avenue Christian Church, Orlando, FL Circle of Compassion Fund
"When our small church received a large gift, we knew immediately that we needed to share a portion of this gift with our neighbors in need in Seattle and around the globe. By joining the Circle of Compassion, we partner with Week of Compassion to extend God's love and mercy to where it is needed most for many years to come."
Monica Greenberg, Pastor, Northwest Christian Church, Seattle, Washington
“At Community Christian Church, every time we gather together, we remember those who lack a safe place to gather, who spend their days hungry, and who struggle more than we can imagine. As a church, we hope to show Christ’s light through generous support of Week of Compassion. This is how we put our prayers in motion.”
Sarah Taylor Peck, Pastor, Community Christian Church, North Canton, Ohio
Rev. Cyndy Twedell, WOC University Christian Church, Ft. Worth, TX Circle of Compassion Fund
Memorial Boulevard Christian Church has supported Week of Compassion with an Annual Hike Against Hunger for 41 years. With the Hike, the special offering and God’s help, we’ve been able to raise a total of $618,000 for Week of Compassion. It has truly been a blessing. Two years ago, we chose to give $1,000 to the Week of Compassion Circle of Compassion because we want to see this life giving ministry grow for our sisters and brothers around the world. We hope to continue to make a contribution of $1000 until we have raised $10,000. What a JOY!
Rev. Margaret Pride, WOC Memorial Blvd Christian Church, St. Louis, MO, Circle of Compassion Fund
Week of Compassion has long been a beloved offering for the members of Battery Park Christian Church. We’ve been especially proud of being a part of the “Circle of Compassion” and our contribution to it. It has been important to so many in our congregation to reach out to those in need, especially in times of disaster and for development purposes providing for longer relief and a vision for the future. We have been very blessed to be a part of the circle, and each year we look forward to the report that tells us how much our Circle endowment has earned to support this ministry.
Rev. Rachael Woodall, WOC Battery Park Christian Church, Richmond, VA Circle of Compassion Fund
We honored Pastor Janet Long’s 25th anniversary with Washington Avenue Christian Church by collecting a major gift for Week of Compassion—a cause for which we all share a passion. Soon thereafter, we were invited to consider becoming a Circle of Compassion congregation. Well on our way to the commitment of investing $10,000 in a permanent fund, it was an easy decision to make. With a “From Our Doorsteps…” fund already in place to make grants to address the needs of friends, neighbors and co-workers of members, we viewed this as an opportunity to launch an “…Ends of the Earth” fund to address the needs of all our neighbors.
Washington Ave. Christian Church, Elyria, OH, WOC “To the Ends of the Earth” Circle of Compassion Fund
One of the traits of Pershing Avenue Christian Church that I most admire is its ability to make the impossible seem possible. So, when I was asked to serve on the Week of Compassion Committee, I challenged the church to join the Circle of Compassion as a symbol of PACC putting our Compassion into Action. Daunting for a small congregation—$10,000. “…you will always have disasters with you.”
We remember standing on our campus the morning after Hurricane Charlie barreled through Orlando—damage, debris, trees and power lines felled, impassable roads—our leadership team strategizing how to connect with members across the city when my cell phone rang, breaking through the eerie silence of the storm’s aftermath. “Lindy, this is Week of Compassion….how can we help?”
PACC rises to the challenge to grow our permanent fund each year so that others will hear, amidst their own experience, that ring which brings prayer, support, resources, and most importantly compassion. The Circle is PACC’s touchstone to tell the story, to help our words become action, to extend God’s compassion through us, so that others’ hearts might move from being troubled to finding peace.
Rev. Melinda Wood, WOC Pershing Avenue Christian Church, Orlando, FL Circle of Compassion Fund
"When our small church received a large gift, we knew immediately that we needed to share a portion of this gift with our neighbors in need in Seattle and around the globe. By joining the Circle of Compassion, we partner with Week of Compassion to extend God's love and mercy to where it is needed most for many years to come."
Monica Greenberg, Pastor, Northwest Christian Church, Seattle, Washington
“At Community Christian Church, every time we gather together, we remember those who lack a safe place to gather, who spend their days hungry, and who struggle more than we can imagine. As a church, we hope to show Christ’s light through generous support of Week of Compassion. This is how we put our prayers in motion.”
Sarah Taylor Peck, Pastor, Community Christian Church, North Canton, Ohio
Circle of Compassion Member Congregations
First Christian Church Perry, Iowa
First Christian Church West Point, MS
Battery Park Christian Church Richmond, VA
First Christian Church Tyler TX
First Christian Church Meridian, MS
First Christian Church Knoxville, TN
Washington Avenue Christian Church Elyria, OH
First Christian Church Moline, IL
Pershing Ave Christian Church Orlando, FL
Bellevue Christian Church Bellevue, WA
First Christian Church Duncan, OK
Park Hill Christian Church North Little Rock, AR
First Christian Church Pikeville, KY
University Place Christian Church Champaign, IL
First Christian Church Edmond, OK
Kingsway Christian Church Germantown, TN
First Christian Church Paris, TN
First Christian Church Gainesville, FL
First Christian Church Winder, GA
First Christian Church Bowling Green, KY
First Christian Church Bucyrus, OH
Karl Road Christian Church Columbus, OH
University Christian Church Fort Worth, TX
Mantua Center Christian Church
First Christian Church Keokuk, IA
Central Christian Church Indianapolis, IN
Central Christian Church Decatur, IL
Faith Christian Church Memphis, TN
Cherokee Christian Church Prairie Village, KS
Community Christian Church North Canton, OH
First Christian Church Mount Carmel, IL
Northwest Christian Church Seattle, WA
Hamilton Christian Church St. Louis, MO
First Christian Church Gibson City, IL
Memorial Blvd Christian Church St Louis, MO
Friends of the West Virginia Region
Westview Christian Church Wilson, NC
Mid Ohio Valley Parish
Central Christian Church Lexington, KY
Bethany Memorial Church Bethany WV
Creekwood Christian Church Flower Mound, TX
Central Christian Church Corpus Christi, TX
First Christian Church Harrisonville, MO
First Christian Church Ashland, KY
First Christian Church Bellflower, CA
First Christian Church Wheeling, WV
Northway Christian Church Dallas, TX
First Christian Church Waggoner, OK
Draper Christian Church Draper, VA
Hurstbourne Christian Church Louisville, KY
First Christian Church Duncanville, TX
Central Christian Church Hermitage, PA
New Trinity Christian Church Mechanicsville, VA
