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Vy joined Week of Compassion in 2014, and continues leading the ministry in responding to the unique challenges of this time.
With a Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in religious studies and environmental sciences from Texas Christian University, Vy served on the staff of Church World Service for more than five years before accepting the call to serve Week of Compassion as Executive Director. In 2014, Vy was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr Award, a recognition of great achievements for justice contributed by Disciples in the Northern California-Nevada Region. Vy brings many years of experience building relationships between churches, volunteers and partner organizations; and has a passion for bringing people together around the table. That passion for the table carries over into Vy’s home and family life, where he and his wife, Linh Bui, along with their son, enjoy gardening, cooking and sharing meals with friends and family. They live in the Bay Area of Northern California. About the work of Week of Compassion, Vy says, “The ecumenical landscape is changing, and the work we do in development, relief and refugee support requires greater collaboration with partners and churches. It’s an exciting time to serve in this ministry, and to continue to bring hope and care to those who need it most.” |
Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold
Associate Director for Domestic Disaster Response caroline[at]weekofcompassion.org 203-772-8597 |
Caroline's passion is connecting people with the creative, re-creative power of the living God through stories and faithful action, and she believes a life of faith is about becoming part of God’s ongoing work in the world. As the Associate Director for Domestic Disaster Response, Caroline helps Disciples in the United States and Canada prepare for and respond to natural disasters. She holds a Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology and a BA from Texas Christian University. Caroline is the author of Wonder Awaits! (Chalice Press, 2022), a book of beautifully diverse photos encouraging children to use all their senses and curiosity to soak up the wonders of the world around them. A portion of the proceeds benefits Week of Compassion, supporting children around the world. She enjoys rock climbing, reading, and exploring the many art galleries and museums in Houston, where she lives with her family. |
Rev. Alan Dicken
Assoc Director for Immigrant & Refugee Response alan[at]weekofcompassion.org 513-512-5562 |
Alan has always believed that the church was much more than just a building or what happens on Sunday morning. At its best, the church is an action, bringing compassion, justice, and wholeness to those who need it most. As the Associate Director for Immigrant and Refugee Response, Alan helps equip and empower congregations for responding quickly to refugee and immigrant crises that may occur. Alan graduated from Bethany College in 2009 with a B.A. in Religious Studies, spent a year as a Global Ministries Intern in Honduras, then graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 2013 with an M.Div and a focus in Pastoral Ministry & Theology. Alan was ordained June 22, 2013 and served at Carthage Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, then as the Ohio Regional Program Director before coming to Week of Compassion. He loves coffee, crosswords, good books, and has recently relocated to Orlando, Florida with his family. |
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Raiza’s belief is that by organizing and equipping congregations in collaborative partnerships, we can be the hands and feet of God’s ongoing presence in the world. Her desire to be more involved in disaster response grew from witnessing how service to others can alleviate suffering, and can bring hope to communities affected by emergencies and trauma. The work is too big for any one person to do alone; we need each other in community, building strong relationships before specific disaster needs arise. Raiza is a lay leader who, prior to joining Week of Compassion, responded to various disasters in shelter settings, guided virtual communication flow, and organized supply delivery for large scale disasters. She has been a preparedness trainer for many years and holds special training for working with children during disasters. When she is not at work she enjoys hiking and camping in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives, writing, baking, and spending time with her beloved family. |
Rev. Courtney Richards
Communications and Development Manager courtney[at]weekofcompassion.org 317-203-9787 |
Courtney comes to Week of Compassion as a lifelong Disciple. Week Of Compassion was one of the earliest ways she knew a ‘church’ bigger than her own, and the ways God calls us to be active hope-bearers in every place and every way the world needs it.
A graduate of Angelo State University (BA) and Brite Divinity School at TCU (MDiv), Courtney’s gifts in ministry rest in relationships, hospitality and welcome, and creative expression. Her work with Week of Compassion is an extension of her role across 25 years in congregational ministry: "to tell the church its own story" - the good news of Christ alive and at work in the world. It is the story of people of faith, working in partnership, bringing their unique gifts, for the restoration, thriving, and flourishing of all of God's beloved. Courtney is married to Brad Lyons (president & publisher at Chalice Press/Christian Board of Publication); their family lives in St Louis, a great place to launch an impromptu day-off road trip or the family's many National Parks adventures, and to relax at home with books, movies, college football, and new recipes. |
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After retiring from a 40 year career in banking, Suzie joined the Office of the General Minister and President. She worked for Disciples Communication Ministries for eight years until she joined Week of Compassion, wanting to learn much more about the mission arm of the denomination. Suzie and her husband Bruce live on the southside of Indianapolis and enjoy vacationing with their family, especially at the beach. |
