STORIES
Kutupalong Refugee Camp, Bangladesh // photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance
Special Offering 20233/1/2023  As Disciples, we gather weekly at the table, to remember Christ’s own life poured out lavishly, for everyone, without exception.
Abundance and blessing is not only what we receive - it is who we are and who God calls us to be. Week of Compassion is where Disciples respond to the challenges and the blessings they see in the world. Week of Compassion is a response from the whole body of Christ. Thank you, Disciples, for sharing in the ministry of Week of Compassion. Special Offering 2023: Mission Moment2/21/2023 Ukraine “I was living a normal life,” eighteen-year-old Dmitry recalled. “I was studying logistics and marketing and playing football. I wanted to be a professional footballer, and had a contract with the Mariupol junior football team.”
Anna, also 18, is from Donetsk, and had already moved because of the earlier war (2014, when Russia annexed Crimea). Now in Mariupol with Dmitry, “I was studying law, wanting to become a lawyer.” The young couple’s dreams of football and law were interrupted when they woke to a call from Dmitry’s parents telling them that the war had started. Special Offering 2023 : Mission Moment2/14/2023 Afghan Refugee Response In the fall of 2021, as the government of Afghanistan collapsed and families were rapidly evacuated, Week of Compassion reaffirmed refugee response as an ongoing priority and employed increased resources, including the Afghan Welcome congregational grants, to support local churches.
Dozens of congregations, across multiple regions of the Disciples church, helped Afghan families to establish a new life in an entirely new place under deeply stressful circumstances. Out of the desperation and disconnect of this crisis, opportunity and community thrived. At every step, Disciples saw hope RISE UP ANEW. Special Offering 2023: Mission Moment1/31/2023 Sunny Day Camp On a dark night in early December 2021, entirely out of season, tornadoes tore across eight states, killing more than 80 people and devastating many communities. Just eight months later, on a warm Saturday in July, two Disciples churches and several community organizations made sure that dozens of children impacted by those winter storms in western Kentucky spent time outside with friends and caregivers, reveling in a bright and sunny day.
Love Brings You Home2/23/2022 Recently we lifted up the Stephens family and the hope - and new home - they found through Week of Compassion’s partners, the Miami Valley Long-Term Recovery Operations Group and Brethren Disaster Ministries. Many of the images and stories featuring prominently in this year's Special Offering materials are from Dayton, Ohio, and many include the Stephenses. This video - Love brings you home - highlights their story, and their joy. What an absolute joy to share photos from their recent home blessing! The Stephenses have a beautiful and secure home, with personal touches like a handmade quilt. (Brethren Disaster Ministries’ long-term project leader Sammy Deacon joined the Stephens family for their celebration day.) The Week of Compassion Special Offering, received in most congregations this Sunday February 27, brings home the power of community, and the deep truth that faith, hope, and love remain. Thank you for your gifts, this week and all year long.
 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:19-21
Where is your treasure? In the bank? A locked box? Invested wisely across a diverse portfolio?  Photo: Serve Eldon Last week, we shared a story about ongoing recovery in Jefferson City, Missouri, where First Christian Church is serving their neighbors and investing in the future of their community. The same storm system that impacted Jefferson City also spawned damaging tornadoes in nearby communities, including Eldon, Missouri. Here is how they weathered the storm. Week of Compassion is grateful to partner with Disciples who respond in times of need, taking care of church members as well as neighbors!
On Wednesday, May 22 of 2019, an EF1 tornado went through the city of Eldon, Missouri. The storm brought winds of 104 miles-per-hour and tracked for 13 miles. |
