April 2026

On Not Going It Alone

I just returned to Indiana from the Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Northern California-Nevada. Their theme, “For Such a Time as This,” comes directly from the book of Esther, which incidentally I’ve been thinking a lot about as it’s one of the Bible stories used in Operation Cacti, the resource for immigrant youth created in partnership between Obra Hispana and Week of Compassion.

In creating this resource alongside Rev. Dr. Esther Robles, I appreciated learning about the story from a more communal perspective than I remember learning growing up in Sunday school, where Esther was valorized as the winner of a beauty pageant, raised up for her time to be a hero to her people. In Esther Robles’ reflection in Operation Cacti, she lifts up this perspective instead:

Esther is well known as the one who saved her people from annihilation. But Esther did not act alone. In our retelling of this story, our emphasis is on the different players that helped Esther be brave and strong amid the limitations and dangers surrounding the Jewish people. It was a concerted effort by Esther’s cousin and adoptive father named Mordecai, the Jewish community exiled in Persia, and Esther herself, including her palace assistants. Together, they engaged in the art of persuasion, intercession, and organization. Surrounded by all of these people, Esther received the needed strength to act valiantly and not feel alone.

Another important aspect of the story we were encouraged to reflect on at the Northern California-Nevada regional assembly was the idea that Esther was invited into the work that God was doing, but God was going to be acting for her people no matter what she did. Esther was also reminded by Mordecai that just because she had a place of honor in the castle, it would not ultimately save her from death. What was in the best interest of Esther was the best interest for her whole community.

I am grateful for the ways Disciples are stepping in to responding more communally. In the two stories in this newsletter written by Disciples pastors in different parts of the country, we see the way congregations are acting together and alongside immigrant communities in need. Similarly, at the Ohio Faithful Response to Immigration Gathering, we saw Disciples, UCC, Brethren, and Mennonite churches come together at Camp Christian to get training and build relationships so our responses to the current immigration crisis will be less siloed. For more about that event, read this story from the United Church of Christ, and watch for our next Week of Compassion Update on May 5, highlighting the impact of this and a similar event of spiritual care for disaster responders. (Sign up for regular Week of Compassion emails here.)

If you are interested in learning how you to connect with community partners to welcome the sojourner in your midst, reach out to me and we'll work on it together.

Rev. Grace Kozak
Associate Director for Immigrant & Refugee Response

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THE FACE OF RESPONSE in two Disciples communities

During increased ICE presence, detention, and family separation in their local community, a Disciples congregation became more aware of the needs of their immigrant neighbors – the need for a secure source of food.

People from immigrant communities were realistically concerned about going to their jobs and out on errands such as grocery shopping. A close-by congregation that held a Spanish language service decided to create a 'quiet food pantry': a combination of donations, deliveries, nutritional support, basic health supplies, and networking.

A list of preferred, culturally appropriate groceries was distributed to area congregations, and food was collected for families with concerns about the safety of going to the well-established food bank system. A delivery system was set up, but the details were not publicized on social media or mentioned in streamed worship services.

The Disciples congregation requested and received a Week of Compassion Supporting Immigrant Communities Grant. As a part of this effort, the congregation more than matched the grant, dollar for dollar, as congregational participants and friends made individual donations. (For the security of the church and community, the name and location is not being shared here.)

The grant and donated money are the backbone of the pantry, enabling bulk purchase of items in a cost effective manner. Individuals and friends supply small easily purchased items. Each month two volunteers from the congregation make a delivery of bulk and small items to an offsite central location. The pantry coordinator notes that recipients feel grateful and the community support helps give them hope for the future.

The grant enabled the congregation to leverage dollars and volunteers to put action behind their concern for the safety of their neighbors. In a response to this grant, the congregation gave over $1,000 to the annual Week of Compassion Special Offering in February, after multiple years of not participating in the offering. The solidarity of this grant unleashed generosity in matching funds, offering funds, and donated food within the congregation and built ecumenical partnerships.

Thank you for helping a congregation make an impact beyond their individual capacity
and rediscover its link to the whole church ministry of Week of Compassion.

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Recenctly, three Disciples of Christ congregations in the Greater Kansas City Region collaborated to support immigrants and refugees during challenging times. 

Having each received a Week of Compassion Supporting Immigrant
Communities Grant, these churches – Hillcrest Christian Church, Shawnee Community Christian Church, and Saint Andrew Christian Church – recognized that working together they could maximize the grant funds to support as many families in need as possible.

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The three churches combined their grants to purchase hygiene items in bulk, resulting in enough items to assemble 500 hygiene kits filled with 10 items in each kit. They gathered on a Sunday afternoon to assemble the kits, sharing in fellowship and connection for a common purpose,
helping our siblings living in fear to be supported and loved.

The hygiene kits were then distributed to four local non-profit organizations that work directly with immigrants and refugees. The churches also helped restock a very low inventory of needed hygiene items that are regularly requested.

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WEBINAR with Attorney Ocloo

On May 20th, join Disciples immigration attorney Jonelle Ocloo for a webinar on supporting refugees at risk of having their cases reopened. 

In recent months, the Department of Homeland Security has been sending notices to refugees to appear for 're-interviews' that encompass attempts to relitigate their initial claims for refugee status, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. Refugees who have not applied for a green card are particularly at risk.

Attorney Ocloo will review this change in policy and the steps we can take to protect families that Disciples over the years have assisted in resettling. Churches who have supported refugee resettlement should send a representative to attend.

REGISTER HERE

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