STORIES
Kutupalong Refugee Camp, Bangladesh // photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance
an immersion in international disaster resposnse For more than three decades, Week of Compassion has partnered with Community World Service Asia (CWSA) to accompany vulnerable communities in Pakistan. This summer, that long-standing partnership took on a new dimension through the International Disaster Response Immersion Program, as seminarian Leigh Larson joined CWSA for ten weeks of ministry and learning. Leigh Larson, a student at Phillips Theological Seminary and a candidate for ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), brought her gifts as a chaplain, author, and scholar into a context of profound challenge and resilience.
BEYOND: General Assembly 20257/24/2025 Week of Compassion highlights from Memphis What a joy to gather with Disciples and friends in Memphis July 12-15 for General Assembly 2025! It is always a treasured time, to worship and learn, pray and play, and imagine together what God has in mind for each of us and all of us in this moment and in the days ahead. Here are a few highlights of Week of Compassion connections during this full and meaning-filled Assembly.
Responding to Flooding in Texas7/7/2025 In the last few days, devastating floods have impacted communities across Texas, with more rain forecast for the week ahead. As local officials and organizations begin the long process of assessment and response, Week of Compassion is in frequent communication with regional leadership, local church pastors, and ecumenical partners across the state. Disciples congregations — including First Christian Church in Kerrville and Grace Christian San Angelo — are assisting in the response efforts, including through supply distribution, cleanup assistance, and support of existing ministry partners. Grace Christian (a shared ministry First Christian and Grace Presbyterian churches) gathered donations at worship yesterday and is working closely with local ecumenical partners, including the campus ministry at Angelo State to sort and distribute supplies. In Kerrville, Rev. Josh Desteiguer is "absolutely humbled and moved by the outpouring of support from the wider church and individual congregations. We are beaming with pride seeing the ways our small tight-knit denomination is going to have a profound impact on the recovery and continuing healing after such a profound disaster." Many efforts remain in the planning or assessment phase due to continued weather concerns. With support from Week of Compassion, Children’s Disaster Services is deploying a Critical Childcare Response team to the area. As needs emerge, Week of Compassion stands ready to offer immediate solidarity grants and long-term support for recovery. The full extent of the damage is not yet clear, and cleanup efforts are being complicated by continued rains. While no losses among Disciples churches or members have been reported so far, the emotional and spiritual toll of this disaster is already being felt. We join our prayers with countless others across the United States, especially those in the Texas Hill Country, for all who are on the front lines of relief, rescue, and recovery, and for those families still waiting for word and hoping against hope. In moments like this, Disciples seek to embody compassion, hope, and faithful presence. Rev. Dr. Andy Mangum, Regional Minister of the Southwest Region, led a moment of prayer over the weekend and offered these words Sunday morning: God of Sleepless Nights and Anxious Days, Our hearts break for our neighbors—the ones whose homes, loved ones, and lives have been destroyed by floods; the ones who fear deportation or imprisonment; the ones who tremble with uncertainty. We cannot know the whole story of any other person’s life, and we really cannot take in all the different experiences that knock on the doors of our empathy. Yet, the parts that we do know break our hearts sometimes. We plead with You, most Holy One, that You would not forget us or abandon us. We need Christmas in July: Emmanuel, God with us. God, be with us. Amen. In the coming days, Week of Compassion will continue to monitor the situation and respond as needs become clearer. In the meantime, Disciples are encouraged to give to Week of Compassion (US Storms & Fires) in support of ongoing and future responses, and to continue holding the affected communities in prayer. Join in Week of Compassion’s response alongside our Disciples congregations, colleagues, and ecumenical partners. Gifts designated ‘US Storms & Fires’ will go in their entirety to support this relief and recovery effort. To stay informed about volunteer opportunities and long-term recovery efforts as details become available, please complete this volunteer interest form. International Disaster Response6/10/2025 expanding partnerships & nurturing young leaders
Standing with St Louis and Kentucky5/17/2025 a message from Week of Compassion Late Thursday evening into early Friday (May 15-16), a powerful and fast-moving storm system swept through the Midwest and Ohio Valley, leaving devastation across several communities. In Missouri, particularly the St. Louis metro area, winds reaching up to 120 mph toppled trees, downed power lines, and damaged homes, businesses, and places of worship. In Kentucky, towns like Somerset and London experienced significant destruction due to tornadoes. Across both states, at least 21 people had died as of Saturday morning – a number expected to rise in the coming days. Dozens more were injured, and many families have been displaced.
Among those most directly affected were two Disciples congregations in St Louis: connect with Week of Compassion in Memphis There are so many ways to learn about – and be part of! – the work of Week of Compassion at this summer's General Assembly! serving our neighbors in times of disaster Dear Disciples, In its first days in office, the administration issued Executive Order 14180 calling for an examination of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The executive order also calls for the formation of a FEMA Review Council that has recently issued a Request for Information from the public to gain a better understanding of their experiences with FEMA during disasters. These comments will help ensure that the FEMA Review Council’s findings and recommendations for potential reforms are informed by a wide range of perspectives and experiences across multiple disasters. Week of Compassion encourages all Disciples who have directly engaged with FEMA, have been involved in disaster response and recovery, or simply have concerns about the future of FEMA operations and programs, to share feedback. Public comment is due by May 15. |
