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: 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. Long-Term Recovery on the Eastern Shore3/11/2025 staff and volunteers get affordable housing off the ground (literally!) photo: Week of Compassion On October 29, 2021, Somerset and Dorchester counties experienced Maryland’s worst tidal flooding in 50 years — in many places, water levels were at or higher than Hurricane Sandy (2012). This kind of massive flooding creates immediate and long-term health threats to flood survivors and to their homes. The influx of bay water carried contaminants and wreaked havoc on plumbing and electrical systems, and left homes susceptible to the growth of mold and mildew.
The 2021 storm was unnamed and undeclared by federal agencies, and received minimal media coverage. Few people knew the storm even happened, let alone the resources and networks needed to help survivors move toward recovery. 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. early update - Hurricane Helene9/30/2024  As we follow the 600 mile path of Hurricane Helene and the massive devastation across six states, Week of Compassion is in contract with Regional staff, congregational leaders and ecumenical partners to respond now and over the long-term. Here are THE BEST WAYS to be of true help right now: PRAY : For more than 100 lives lost. For unimaginable impact. For emergency response teams. For compassion, mercy, hope.
GIVE : Gifts marked Hurricane 2024 will be directed to emergent and long-term response. STAY : The first days of a response are for highly skilled and professionally trained responders. There will be many ways to help later, and we are grateful for all who will serve together. * There is an urgent need right now for virtual volunteers to staff help lines. Simple training provided, phone & computer with internet required. Email [email protected] Praying with you and for you, Disciples. Hurricane Helene makes landfall9/28/2024  The needs are and will be great. The compassion of Christ's people is greater still.
Be part of the Hurricane Helene response - *PRAY* for those impacted and all who respond. *GIVE* to Week of Compassion, designating 'Hurricane 2024'. *STAY* until plans are in place for you to safely volunteer in person. Virtual volunteers are urgently needed right now through our partner Crisis CleanUp. Help respond to survivor help lines, serving from home, with simple training and phone/computer access. Contact [email protected] We remain grateful for our Disciples community and hold those impacted and those responding close in our prayers. anticipating Hurricane Helene9/26/2024  Hurricane Helene is gaining intensity, expected to make landfall on the Florida Gulf Coast today, bringing flooding rains, massive storm surge, and significant wind. Week of Compassion is monitoring closely and is in contact with Regions and partners in the path of the storm, ready to respond as we learn of impact and needs.
Gifts to WeekOfCompassion.org/give, marked ‘Hurricane 2024‘, will be directed to relief and response, and to the long-term recovery efforts that will follow. We are praying with you and for you, Disciples. |
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