STORIES
Kutupalong Refugee Camp, Bangladesh // photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance
Still ... the Light.12/22/2023 a Christmas Letter and prayer from Week of Compassion Advent is a season of waiting, watching, preparing. It often arrives sparkling and bright, but for others it is less so. It is sometimes uplifting and joyous, and yet some hearts are weighed down and heavy.
Advent waiting is balancing the concerns of a world in need with the anticipated promise of a world that sees its needs fully met. Advent waiting is a spiritual practice of peering through the shadows, each year, to find that even through the gloom, still … the Light of the World comes. GIFTS TO LIVE ON11/16/2023 the Week of Compassion 2024 Special Offering
In the story of the generous widow (Luke 21:1-4), Jesus sees the widow and her gift, and rejoices in her generosity. Others were giving from what they could spare - but this woman, Jesus said, was giving everything she had to live on. Such generosity upends expectation. She brings two small coins, the merest contribution, but she is the giver Jesus praises most highly. It is not only the coins themselves that matter. It is the way she gives - it is the story of her generosity that outlasts her. That’s what Week of Compassion does - what Disciples do. We bring what we have to live on, which becomes a resource for others to live on - and that mutual giving is how our story lives on too. Over the past 80 years through Week of Compassion, Disciples have responded to needs around the world, constantly evolving to meet new challenges. As Rev. Dr. Dawn Darwin Weaks, who wrote this year’s sermon starter and scripture commentary, has said, “We honor the courage of those who came before by being courageous now!” Today we launch the theme and resources for our 2024 Special Offering: GIFTS TO LIVE ON The Week of Compassion Special Offering is suggested for February 18 - 25, 2024. Standing Orders of print materials for the Week of Compassion 2024 Special Offering begin shipping in early December. To review your congregation's Standing Order, make changes, or create a new order, use the order page. Deadline for changes is December 4. This year we saved the step of Sample Packets. Standing Orders include everything you need to create a meaningful Week of Compassion offering with your congregation. With our Planning and Resource Guide, PLUS all the print materials of your Standing Order, AND the plethora of video, print, worship, and study resources on the 2024 Special Offering page ... less paper, less shipping, less time, and less waste means MORE resources go right to work caring for vulnerable communities around the world. THANK YOU for all the ways you are Week of Compassion in communities near and far, and for all the creative and generous ways you share GIFTS TO LIVE ON. a short film for the 2024 Special Offering
available on the Special Offering page in English, English with captions, and in Spanish Middle East Crisis10/18/2023 responding with partners to war in the Middle East photo : MECC/DSPR Since the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, violence and devastation have escalated in the Middle East, with years of political tension and conflict bearing out in the most horrifying and heartbreaking ways. Thousands of civilians have been killed and thousands more injured as the warfare persists. Week of Compassion has been in frequent contact with trusted partners, including through Global Ministries, the Middle East Council of Churches, and ACT Alliance. These partners are in close conversation about immediate needs in Israel/Palestine and the broader region - food, water, shelter, medical care, sanitation - and know there will be many considerations to come regarding a long-term solution and recovery.
Holy Week Prayers 20233/30/2023 Beginning Sunday April 2, followers of Christ will mark the holiest of seasons, with Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations at each end, days of penitence and sorrow in between.
For generations, believers have explored the meaning of this week with reflection, worship, ritual, and song. Week of Compassion offers these prayers for each day, that we might arrive at deeper faithfulness in a truly Holy Week. We will share each prayer daily via our social media and invite you to include these in worship, email, newsletters, and whatever ways best meet the prayerful connection of your congregation. Grace and peace, Disciples. May we be renewed and transformed, for the sake of the world God so loves, as we approach this Holy Week together. |
