 Hello Disciples! Week of Compassion is in our Special Offering season and we want to say THANK YOU. Your gifts to Week of Compassion continue to serve the most vulnerable people across the world. Every day, we witness weather-related disasters in the United States and Canada, an ongoing immigration and refugee crisis, and international conflicts that continue to disrupt nations and lives. The impacts are profound and long-lasting, and recovery will last for years to come. We are grateful for every one of you – those who take the long view, who know that God’s goodness is a constant presence and guide, and who understand that the work of compassion is work we do together. Week of Compassion recalls the good news we have HEARD AND SEEN because of Jesus Christ – the work of mercy, justice, welcome, and generosity. We are inspired by our ecumenical partners, our Disciples colleagues, and the whole Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). When we are surrounded by disaster, illness, war, violence, poverty and devastation of all kinds, it is compassion and community that restores us, and transforms suffering into hope. Week of Compassion serves on behalf of the whole Disciples church, responding to every day’s challenges with the confident hope that we are the Body of Christ, serving the world together. A gift to Week of Compassion means immediate relief and long-term recovery after disasters. It means equipping churches and leaders for disaster preparedness. It means assistance and opportunity for refugees. A gift to Week of Compassion means supporting global development projects that empower communities. Thank you, Disciples, for thinking about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, commendable. Thank you for walking in the ways of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for you, and for the compassion, generosity, and hope you make possible. As we serve together, we pray that the peace of Christ is with you, always. With gratitude,  Rev. Vy T. Nguyen Executive Director   In early 2024, Chicago Christian Church, a Korean-speaking Disciples church in the northwest Chicago-land suburb of Des Plaines IL, received an Equity Grant for Refugee Response from Week of Compassion. Within a few months, Chicago Christian Church was able to partner with Exodus World Service, a local refugee service organization, to provide for and welcome two refugee families, helping them set up new apartments in Chicago and Evanston!  Welcome Kits were delivered by church members, helping the family with everything from mattresses and bedding, to dishes and utensils, to cleaning products and toiletries, plus welcome signs and literal tool kits to make their new houses into true homes. They also returned once the families had settled to spend time meeting them and praying together, welcoming them into their new communities. Cindy Kim-Hengst, former Week of Compassion Board member, current first vice-moderator for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and a lay leader at Chicago Christian Church shared, “Exodus World Service wanted me to share with you that they are EXTREMELY grateful for the grant dollars that Week of Compassion has specifically allocated to refugee response. They are overwhelmed with refugees coming to Chicago and cannot keep up with the demand. The kits that we are able to provide are a huge blessing to them. We are grateful for these partners in ministry, and for the opportunity to express God's love.” Week of Compassion continues to pursue the things that make for hope and peace – things that are true, honorable, and just. We eagerly share stories of hope, telling of what we have HEARD AND SEEN: that gifts of compassion matter, and that human flourishing is a hope worth pursuing. Week of Compassion makes an impact around the world, ensuring that the stories, needs, and celebrations of vulnerable communities are heard and seen – and that we respond. Thank you to Cindy Kim-Hengst for sharing Chicago Christian Church’s story and photos. Comments are closed.
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