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. 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. Mahalo Nui4/24/2025 a new partnership with the Lahaina Community Land Trust In early March, Week of Compassion provided a long-term recovery grant to the Lahaina Community Land Trust, supporting recovery for households affected by the 2023 wildfires, and efforts to protect and generate affordable and sustainable housing. Celebrating this partnership, LCLT shared their generous thanks with Disciples. Their words of gratitude carry a blessing for all of us: "On behalf of the Lahaina Community Land Trust and as a fire survivor myself, I extend a heartfelt mahalo to Week of Compassion for their generosity and shared vision. Together, we are not only rebuilding homes but also nurturing the soul of our community, ensuring that Lahaina remains a place where its people can thrive for generations to come." - Mikey Burke, President of the Board of Directors
Working to bring Lahaina lands into community ownership and create volunteer opportunities for rebuilding alongside local professional contractors, LCLT is dedicated to the preservation of community land for long-term benefit. Deborah Mader, VP of Operations, goes on to say: “Our deepest aloha and mahalo for your generous gift to Lahaina Community Land Trust. For centuries across the pae ʻāina (the Hawaiian island chain), when a loko iʻa (fishpond), loʻi kalo (taro patch), or auwai (irrigation ditch) needed to be built, the kāhea (call) would go out and the community would come together to help create it. Each person doing their part — standing side by side, passing stones hand to hand. And in the end, a powerful new thing was born, something that would feed and benefit the people for generations to come. Mahalo so much for answering the kāhea, to stand side by side with us. Please know that your gift will be a part of Lahaina's legacy for generations. Mahalo piha for helping us nurture a future where everyone in Lahaina, from keiki (child) to kupuna (honored elder), thrives.” LEARN MORE about the Lahaina Community Land Trust by following them on social media and at their website. "a place for all to discover community, acceptance, and purpose" In September 2024, Hurricane Helene swept upward from Florida’s Big Bend, devastating communities throughout the southeastern United States. It hit the Blue Ridge particularly hard, triggering historic flooding throughout Western North Carolina.
At Christmount, the national retreat center of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains is still marred by the scars of Hurricane Helene’s devastation. The Christmount staff doesn’t dwell on the damage wrought by the storm, though; there’s just too much work to do. 2024 Year in Review2/5/2025 responding with compassion around the world Dear Church,
During the month of February, many congregations across the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will take up a special offering, joining in the mission and ministry of Week of Compassion. For over 80 years, Week of Compassion has been the Church’s relief, refugee, and sustainable development ministry, working with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world. As your church participates in this offering, I also invite you to join in prayer for our partners and the people we serve across the globe. Now more than ever, the work of Week of Compassion is urgently needed. |
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