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Week of Compassion
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Circle of Compassion

Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Christian Aid
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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!






                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Download the Circle of Compassion Brochure
woc.circleofcompassion2019.pdf
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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


Circle of Compassion Member Congregations


First Christian Church         Perry, IA

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         Wagoner, 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

Christian Church of Arlington Heights, IL

Colonial Place Christian Church     Richmond, VA

​First Christian Church      Fullerton, CA


Eureka Christian Church       Eureka, IL

University Christian Church      Seattle, WA

First Christian Church       Kent, WA

​Hillyer Memorial Christian Church      Raleigh, NC

Ridglea Christain Church       Fort Worth, TX

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Week of Compassion 
P.O. Box 1986 
Indianapolis, IN 46206
Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
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  • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Staff
    • Board of Stewards
    • From The Executive Director
    • Partners
  • Action
    • COVID-19 Response >
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      • How To Prepare For A Disaster
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    • Special Offering >
      • Special Offering 2021
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