God is Our Refuge: An Update On Recent Responses

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells. ~Psalm 46:1-4
 
Dear Friends, 
The past few weeks have been heavy with crises: the desperate situation in Afghanistan, which continues to unfold; the earthquake in Haiti, which killed more than 2,200 and left tens of thousands more without a home; Hurricane Ida, which caused widespread damage in Louisiana and Mississippi, and even as far north as New York and New Jersey; and wildfires that continue to spread rapidly across the western U.S. 

But we don’t need to remind you of the suffering that continues to affect so much of our world. You have already RESPONDED with urgency, with faithfulness, and with great compassion.
 
Just as these disasters continue to ripple across our awareness and our world, so your generous responses keep coming in waves. Individuals, families, and congregations are sharing so much, so willingly. In the midst of these ongoing responses, we wanted to take a moment and say thank you, and share a word about the impact of your support and partnership through these difficult days. 

• Support for Afghanistan is reaching Week of Compassion partners with long-standing relationships in the region. They are working to meet immediate needs among those who are unable to leave the country. Meanwhile, Week of Compassion, along with Disciples Refugee and Immigration Ministries and other partners, is working to support Afghans arriving in the United States. Many Disciples congregations are stepping up to help welcome families resettling in their local communities. Recent gifts to Week of Compassion designated for “refugees” are helping, in part, to support our Disciples churches in these ministries, helping with basic needs like clothing, food, household items, and rental assistance for new arrivals. 
• Recent gifts for earthquake relief are providing relief to the people of Haiti as they navigate yet another devastating event. Week of Compassion partners responded immediately, deploying volunteers to help with rescue operations and assess the damage. In the weeks since, they’ve been working to provide things like temporary shelters, emergency power generators, hygiene kits, food and water, as well as first aid kits. But this is only the beginning. Week of Compassion will continue to support long-term responses including construction, community-based psychosocial support and trauma recovery, as well as rebuilding of damaged water infrastructure.
• Disciples congregations in Louisiana continue to assess damage from Hurricane Ida. Week of Compassion is supporting congregations as they work to serve their neighbors. Just Love Your Neighbor-Northshore Disciples are working with other local organizations to meet basic needs like food and water. Two churches in the greater Houston area have also been helping with supplies. We continue to plan for long-term recovery needs, as well as share information to help those affected navigate the process of seeking FEMA assistance. Meanwhile, your presence is also being felt to the northeast. Week of Compassion provided support to Park Avenue Christian Church in Orange, New Jersey, to help with flood damage at the church and among members’ homes; and to Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City, supporting the church as they reached out to members and neighbors who were without power, providing hot meals as well as gift cards to meet additional needs. 
• It is shaping up to be another record year for wildfires, and it is still early in the season. Week of Compassion is in touch with church leaders and partners in the affected regions, and sharing support for congregations like First Christian Church Redding, who opened their doors and offered shelter to neighbors who were displaced. ​
  

The need seems overwhelming at times, Church. But so is your compassion. The Psalmist reminds us not to fear, even when waters roar and mountains quake. Disciples have answered the call in a powerful way, acting out of love and mercy rather than fear and hopelessness. You bear witness to the power of God at work in our midst, in the holy places that remain even in places of disaster. Please continue to hold all of these people and places in prayer in the weeks and months ahead. Thank you for your important part in this work that continues to change lives around the world, around the year. 

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