Special Offering 2025 : HEARD AND SEEN

For more than a week, massive wildfires have been burning in Southern California, scarring thousands of acres, destroying thousands of homes and structures, and displacing hundreds of thousands of people under evacuation orders. Week of Compassion remains in frequent contact with pastors and regional leaders, responding as needs emerge and joining partners in conversation about the long-term recovery ahead.

This disaster is just one of many – including hurricanes, war, and famine – to which Week of Compassion is still responding. Increasingly severe and frequent weather-related and human-caused disasters continue to fragment communities around the world. Adding to the destructive impact of disasters in these regions, political unrest and climate change continue to increase the number of displaced persons worldwide and complicate the work of recovery.

---

This is the essence of Week of Compassion – the work of the church in creating sanctuaries of healing, joy, and hope in the face of trauma and devastation. 

In our 2025 Special Offering Resources, we are sharing the stories, images, and art of hope. Following Paul’s counsel to Philippi, we recount what we have HEARD AND SEEN. 
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

It is in moments of crisis – wildfire, displacement, disaster, loss – that the shared work of Week of Compassion matters most – to people in crisis, and as people of faith. The gifts you give ensure that the stories, needs, and celebrations of vulnerable communities are heard and seen – and that our whole church is equipped to respond. As our General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens often says, “When Week of Compassion is there, the whole church is there.”

Over the last 80 years, your gifts transform into community recovery and resilience, welcome of new neighbors, and hopeful futures uncovered in the face of extraordinary challenges. We give thanks for the many ways you embody what you have HEARD AND SEEN, what you have learned and received in Jesus Christ: the call to care for vulnerable communities, throughout the year, throughout the world.

---

Special Offering 2025 : HEARD AND SEEN
theme video

​This video is available – in English, in Spanish, and in English with subtitles – on our Special Offering 2025 Resources Page. Additional downloadable resources will be available later this week. Worship resources, children & youth activities, social media assets, and more are available for congregations to lift up the work and witness of Week of Compassion. We are grateful to serve together.