Celebrate Service

National Volunteer Week 2024

Volunteerism empowers individuals to find their purpose, to take their passion and turn it into meaningful change. When each of us, in our own way, answers the call to make a difference, we make progress in solving our most persistent problems, and create stronger communities and a more just society. - Points of Light Foundation, on the 50th Anniversary of National Volunteer Week

Week of Compassion connects volunteers to opportunities across the life of the ministry. We give thanks for the wide variety of people who are part of disaster relief, long-term recovery, and refugee response in congregations and communities. ​

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Disciples volunteers serve on behalf of the whole church, with compassionare faithfulness. Recently, a group from South Hills Christian Church (Ft Worth TX) volunteered through Week of Compassion’s partner, Mayfield/Graves County Long Term Recovery Group, and the LTRG shared their thanks:

We often say and truly believe: ​You ARE Week of Compassion.

There are several ways volunteers can be part of DISASTER RELIEF and LONG-TERM RECOVERY with of Week of Compassion this summer and fall:
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• We have several partnerships still active in Western KY for the summer and fall, and can connect you to the long-term tornado recovery work happening there.
• There are also active recovery sites where groups can serve in Puerto Rico, North Carolina, Florida, and Eastern Kentucky.
• Additional recovery sites across the southern U.S. are in development. Create a Volunteer Profile to be added to our database and receive information about coming opportunities.
• As we are squarely in spring storm season, be part of a virtual/remote volunteer opportunity working with our partners at Crisis Cleanup, serving as call center volunteers to help connect survivors with cleanup assistance.

In addition, REFUGEE RESPONSE engages volunteers in congregations who are ready to welcome refugees, preparing to serve even before a crisis is present. Week of Compassion provides support and resources, connects churches to resettlement experts, and prepares churches to be ready when family resettlement is needed.

• On Tuesday May 7, at 7:00pm EDT, Rev. Alan Dicken (Associate Director for Immigrant & Refugee Response) will host an online gathering of Disciples engaged in refugee response ministry. Discover local needs, and connect with others who care about vulnerable persons. This is a chance to support, re-engage, and stir curiosity about refugee response.

As the November U.S. election nears, the concerns of refugees and immigrants will continue to make news. Be aware of the needs in your local community (in election season and out), and see how your congregation can be part of faithful welcome and true hospitality. For more information about the May 7th meeting - and the meeting link! - contact Alan Dicken.

Volunteers move Week of Compassion off the page and into the world. THANK YOU for all the ways you serve, work, speak, and welcome in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ. You ARE Week of Compassion, and we are so incredibly grateful. ​

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