In late 2025, the Week of Compassion Board of Stewards gathered in San Diego, at the edge of a border where human lives and holy stories meet. There, we were reminded that displacement is not only about geography; it is about loss and resilience, faith and rebuilding. Whether caused by poverty, violence, persecution, or disaster, displacement reveals both the deep wounds of the world and the courage of those who refuse to give up home.
Every crisis we name – at the border, after a storm, or in the wake of economic collapse – is really about people who carry courage and loss in equal measure. And in every place, the church is present. Congregations open their doors. Partners remain when others leave. Communities of faith become signs of compassion and strength in uncertain times.
Around the world, our partners continue to embody this faithful presence. When governments withdraw or systems fail, the church endures. In Afghanistan, Pakistan, and South Sudan, clinics have stayed open through the commitment of local partners. In Myanmar, when the earthquake struck, faith partners and community groups were among the first to respond. In Gaza, amid bombardment and displacement, our ecumenical partners risk their lives to deliver bread and medicine. In every context, your support through Week of Compassion helps sustain these acts of courage and hope.
Here at home, we are living our call to compassion in new and deeper ways. Over the past year, Disciples have stood alongside families rebuilding after the floods in Texas, tornadoes in the Midwest, and wildfires in Southern California. Thanks to your generosity, homes are being rebuilt and livelihoods restored. With new investments in domestic disaster response, we have an opportunity to move from reaction to preparation – to build resilience before the next storm, and to ensure that no congregation or community is left behind.
Every crisis we name – at the border, after a storm, or in the wake of economic collapse – is really about people who carry courage and loss in equal measure. And in every place, the church is present. Congregations open their doors. Partners remain when others leave. Communities of faith become signs of compassion and strength in uncertain times.
Around the world, our partners continue to embody this faithful presence. When governments withdraw or systems fail, the church endures. In Afghanistan, Pakistan, and South Sudan, clinics have stayed open through the commitment of local partners. In Myanmar, when the earthquake struck, faith partners and community groups were among the first to respond. In Gaza, amid bombardment and displacement, our ecumenical partners risk their lives to deliver bread and medicine. In every context, your support through Week of Compassion helps sustain these acts of courage and hope.
Here at home, we are living our call to compassion in new and deeper ways. Over the past year, Disciples have stood alongside families rebuilding after the floods in Texas, tornadoes in the Midwest, and wildfires in Southern California. Thanks to your generosity, homes are being rebuilt and livelihoods restored. With new investments in domestic disaster response, we have an opportunity to move from reaction to preparation – to build resilience before the next storm, and to ensure that no congregation or community is left behind.
Whether rebuilding after a flood, finding safety after conflict, or recovering from economic hardship, Week of Compassion is finding A NEW WAY – a way rooted in relationship, equity, and hope. Together, we are strengthening the church’s long-term capacity to respond and accompany, wherever people are displaced or in need.
The gifts you give make an impact around the world, ensuring that vulnerable communities are held at the center of the work, and strengthening congregations and partners to respond.
In moments when we’re most uncertain, when the usual path is blocked or can’t even be seen, we rely on each other. Like the friends who join together and make a way where there was no way, determined that their friend would see Jesus (Mark 2:1-5), in this work we share, God is opening new ways. Our task is to walk them faithfully – together, with imagination, courage, and trust in the One who makes all things new.
In this moment, the Spirit is calling us to walk paths we have not yet walked, to imagine futures we have not yet seen, and to trust that the God who has carried us this far will not abandon us now. Thank you for your generosity, your faithfulness, and your commitment to walking alongside those whose paths have been disrupted. Together, we are the church – rooted in compassion, moving in hope.
With gratitude and hope,
The gifts you give make an impact around the world, ensuring that vulnerable communities are held at the center of the work, and strengthening congregations and partners to respond.
In moments when we’re most uncertain, when the usual path is blocked or can’t even be seen, we rely on each other. Like the friends who join together and make a way where there was no way, determined that their friend would see Jesus (Mark 2:1-5), in this work we share, God is opening new ways. Our task is to walk them faithfully – together, with imagination, courage, and trust in the One who makes all things new.
In this moment, the Spirit is calling us to walk paths we have not yet walked, to imagine futures we have not yet seen, and to trust that the God who has carried us this far will not abandon us now. Thank you for your generosity, your faithfulness, and your commitment to walking alongside those whose paths have been disrupted. Together, we are the church – rooted in compassion, moving in hope.
With gratitude and hope,
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Rev. Vy T. Nguyen
Executive Director, Week of Compassion |
