STORIES
Kutupalong Refugee Camp, Bangladesh // photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance
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. strengthened work with partner, increased global sustainable development support The Week of Compassion Board of Stewards held its annual Fall meeting in New Orleans, LA November 14-16. The Board received the Executive Director’s report and overview of the strategic direction of the ministry in light of current global challenges. In addition, the Board passed the 2025 Budget and approved over $600,000 in sustainable development grants to global partners and multiple projects worldwide. The projects range from girls’ education to food security and disaster risk reduction, serving with partners in Vietnam, Japan, Honduras, Pakistan, and more.
While the agenda included important business sessions, the primary focus was a visit with the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe, an indigenous community in the Terrebonne Basin deeply impacted by Hurricane Ida (2021) and receiving program and long-term recovery support from Week of Compassion. Disaster Response10/21/2024 Week of Compassion connects Disciples in times of crisis In just the last few weeks, many parts of the southeast have experienced multiple hurricanes. As communication is restored and previously inaccessible areas open up across impacted communities, Week of Compassion continues to connect with Disciples Regional leaders and congregational pastors. While assessments by disaster response professionals continue, we anticipate additional needs will emerge. Soon, conversations will turn to long-term recovery efforts, and plans will develop – and Week of Compassion will outline and empower the best ways Disciples can be part of the widespread and critical work to come.
Hurricane Response Update10/11/2024 responding to Helene and MiltonFollowing Hurricane Helene (September 26) and Hurricane Milton (October 9), Week of Compassion is in close communication with Disciples’ Regional leadership and pastors, and with established partners in the impacted areas. Week of Compassion is currently sending solidarity grants to Disciples congregations and households, while connecting with ecumenical partners in the storm centers and surrounding communities, looking ahead and preparing for the immense long-term recovery to come.
Disciples Respond to Hurricane Helene10/2/2024 EMERGENCY APPEALan update from across the southeast On Thursday September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend of the Florida Gulf Coast, landing as a category 4 storm with wind impacts of 140mph, bringing a 20-foot storm surge, incredible rainfall and flooding, and sparking tornadoes. The storm tracked across six states, and remnant rainfall reached into several more. Destruction is estimated at $160 billion, one of the costliest storms in US history.
a Special Offering 2024 Mission Moment For the past couple of years, when you would drive into Mayfield, KY from Paducah, KY and crest the hill to the north of town, the sight would take your breath away – a town flattened. Businesses, churches, homes, all destroyed when, on December 10, 2021, a mile-wide EF4 long-track tornado hit multiple counties in western Kentucky, leaving a massive path of destruction and thousands of Kentuckians homeless. Disciples swiftly responded through Week of Compassion and Kentucky West Area congregations, and the generosity of Disciples lives on as homes are rebuilt and communities are restored.
In the two years since that event, Week of Compassion has partnered with Long-Term Recovery Groups to stabilize communities and support them through their recovery. Volunteer referrals and grant funding are helping move rebuilding forward in multiple counties - all with unique approaches to meeting the needs in their own neighborhoods. LTDR - RGV12/26/2023 Long-Term Disaster Recovery in the Rio Grande Valley Long-term recovery is work that reaches community-wide - and beyond!
The Rio Grande Valley Long Term Disaster Recovery (RGV LTDR) seeks to provide recovery assistance to those living in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas who have experienced damage from disasters. They work to organize volunteer labor and construction materials to help survivors repair their housing, and assist in arranging repairs by third parties when possible. Currently they are responding to multiple severe storms and tornadoes that hit the region in 2023. |
