Week of Compassion
As the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Week of Compassion works with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world. Many of you may have given to Week of Com-passion during the special offering held in February and periodically throughout the year.
When disasters strike,
Week of Compassion is here to help:
before, during, and after.
On August 10, a 40 mile wide derecho blew across the upper Midwest; the effects were especially devastating across a large portion of Iowa. This storm was personal. Several of us know someone who was affected by it. Did you know, funds donated to Week of Compassion can be designated?
Week of Compassion offers resources and training opportunities to help congregations prepare and respond. Immediately following disasters in the United States and Canada, Week of Compassion works through local congregations and regions to provide guidance, connections, and resources for navigating disaster response. We invest the majority of our disaster response resources in long-term recovery, primarily for the purpose of repairing and rebuilding homes. In coordination with Disciples Volunteering and other partners, Week of Compassion also supports opportunities for Disciples to offer hands-on assistance.
Week of Compassion is more than a week. It is a ministry of the whole Church, reaching those in need “around the world, around the year.” Any time we respond to a need in the world, we bear witness to the unity of our table, faithfully sharing the gifts that we have as an expression of Christ's love. In working together with partners, we represent the Disciples of Christ commitment to unity, making our re-sources reach farther and growing our impact on a global scale.
Thank you for your continued support of the Week of Compassion Ministry.
Social Media
Twitter @WKofCompassion
Facebook Week of Compassion
Youtube - youtube.com/channel/ UCVU6TUGChNLPm_Lvqoeah4g
Website – weekofcompassion.org
When disasters strike,
Week of Compassion is here to help:
before, during, and after.
On August 10, a 40 mile wide derecho blew across the upper Midwest; the effects were especially devastating across a large portion of Iowa. This storm was personal. Several of us know someone who was affected by it. Did you know, funds donated to Week of Compassion can be designated?
Week of Compassion offers resources and training opportunities to help congregations prepare and respond. Immediately following disasters in the United States and Canada, Week of Compassion works through local congregations and regions to provide guidance, connections, and resources for navigating disaster response. We invest the majority of our disaster response resources in long-term recovery, primarily for the purpose of repairing and rebuilding homes. In coordination with Disciples Volunteering and other partners, Week of Compassion also supports opportunities for Disciples to offer hands-on assistance.
Week of Compassion is more than a week. It is a ministry of the whole Church, reaching those in need “around the world, around the year.” Any time we respond to a need in the world, we bear witness to the unity of our table, faithfully sharing the gifts that we have as an expression of Christ's love. In working together with partners, we represent the Disciples of Christ commitment to unity, making our re-sources reach farther and growing our impact on a global scale.
Thank you for your continued support of the Week of Compassion Ministry.
Social Media
Twitter @WKofCompassion
Facebook Week of Compassion
Youtube - youtube.com/channel/ UCVU6TUGChNLPm_Lvqoeah4g
Website – weekofcompassion.org
The History of Week of Compassion
In the beginning…
The Week of Compassion emerged in the early 1940s, as World War II created a series of humanitarian crises around the globe. The International Convention (General Assembly) of the Christian Church made two recommendations regarding multiple aid and relief projects around the world. These recommendations outlined partnerships with multiple ecumenical ministries and counterparts. The Church designated a “Day of Compassion,” on which congregations would hold a special offering to raise funds to support these mission projects.
In 1943, the “Wartime Service Fund” was approved by the International Convention. At this point, the Disciples of Christ designated a “Week of Compassion” to raise $250,000 for ongoing support of these relief efforts.
In the meantime…
Over the next several decades, the work of Week of Compassion and its partners expanded to include not just humanitarian aid, but also disaster response and refugee resettlement. The ministry’s leadership evolved as well, from a voluntary office to a full-time executive director; additional staff helped expand the reach of the ministry; and the annual fund grew over time from thousands of dollars to millions.
Into the Future
When our ministry began, the idea of different denominations partnering together--in spite of differences in doctrine or practice-- was a radical notion. In many ways, it is still countercultural to work together across many kinds of boundaries. And yet, we remain committed to the partnerships that make our mission stronger, and that allow us to reach those in need with the love of Christ.
As of 2019, Week of Compassion has been in operation for 75 years. We are proud of our history, but also recognize that there is so much work yet to be done. The need to collaborate and address the world’s increasingly complex humanitarian issues--while maintaining unity as a guiding principle--is more critical than ever. Your support enables us to faithfully respond to human need around the world; empower communities to build and rebuild; and partner with other church organizations as the Body of Christ. Around the year and around the world, Week of Compassion remains committed to sustaining this faithful presence far into the future
The Week of Compassion emerged in the early 1940s, as World War II created a series of humanitarian crises around the globe. The International Convention (General Assembly) of the Christian Church made two recommendations regarding multiple aid and relief projects around the world. These recommendations outlined partnerships with multiple ecumenical ministries and counterparts. The Church designated a “Day of Compassion,” on which congregations would hold a special offering to raise funds to support these mission projects.
In 1943, the “Wartime Service Fund” was approved by the International Convention. At this point, the Disciples of Christ designated a “Week of Compassion” to raise $250,000 for ongoing support of these relief efforts.
In the meantime…
Over the next several decades, the work of Week of Compassion and its partners expanded to include not just humanitarian aid, but also disaster response and refugee resettlement. The ministry’s leadership evolved as well, from a voluntary office to a full-time executive director; additional staff helped expand the reach of the ministry; and the annual fund grew over time from thousands of dollars to millions.
Into the Future
When our ministry began, the idea of different denominations partnering together--in spite of differences in doctrine or practice-- was a radical notion. In many ways, it is still countercultural to work together across many kinds of boundaries. And yet, we remain committed to the partnerships that make our mission stronger, and that allow us to reach those in need with the love of Christ.
As of 2019, Week of Compassion has been in operation for 75 years. We are proud of our history, but also recognize that there is so much work yet to be done. The need to collaborate and address the world’s increasingly complex humanitarian issues--while maintaining unity as a guiding principle--is more critical than ever. Your support enables us to faithfully respond to human need around the world; empower communities to build and rebuild; and partner with other church organizations as the Body of Christ. Around the year and around the world, Week of Compassion remains committed to sustaining this faithful presence far into the future
Week of compassion 2020
Each year in February, congregations across the United States and Canada collect a special offering for Week of Compassion. While many congregations choose to collect their offering during this designated week, the offering truly supports the work of this ministry throughout the whole year! Funds received through the offering allow the Church to respond to disaster when it occurs, enabling Week of Compassion to immediately provide grants for urgent needs like emergency supplies, water and food. Special Offering is a time when congregations come together to lift up and celebrate this important work that we do together.
Each year, we develop an annual Resource Guide to help churches prepare for this special season. The guide contains thematic reflections to help with worship planning, activity ideas, conversation starters and more. We also send out posters, bulletin inserts, and other promotional materials for congregations to use . New offering materials are available at the beginning of each year.
Each year, we develop an annual Resource Guide to help churches prepare for this special season. The guide contains thematic reflections to help with worship planning, activity ideas, conversation starters and more. We also send out posters, bulletin inserts, and other promotional materials for congregations to use . New offering materials are available at the beginning of each year.
Week of Compassion
More than a week or a one-time special offering, Week of Compassion is a dedicated relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Week of Compassion seeks to equip and empower Disciples to alleviate the suffering of others through disaster response, humanitarian aid, sustainable development, and the promotion of mission opportunities.
This organization relies on your compassion, your gifts and your commitment to help change lives for the better. We do so in the name of Jesus Christ and on behalf of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Week of Compassion, through its partnerships, will respond to human needs around the world.
Disciples bring hope to situations of natural disaster, war and famine, more efficiently than ever before thanks to the faithful gifts of local congregations. With your continued support, Week of Compassion will remain responsive to Christ's call to both short term relief and long term partnerships in order to empower our brothers and sisters around the world.
This organization relies on your compassion, your gifts and your commitment to help change lives for the better. We do so in the name of Jesus Christ and on behalf of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Week of Compassion, through its partnerships, will respond to human needs around the world.
Disciples bring hope to situations of natural disaster, war and famine, more efficiently than ever before thanks to the faithful gifts of local congregations. With your continued support, Week of Compassion will remain responsive to Christ's call to both short term relief and long term partnerships in order to empower our brothers and sisters around the world.
2019 Special offering
God is doing More than you can imagine
Imagine having a garden, but not being able to feed your family.
Imagine digging into the sand of a dry river bed in search of drinking water.
Imagine your child is diagnosed with stunted growth, a preventable early childhood condition with lifelong consequences.
These are the struggles of the people living in a small village in West Timor, Indonesia. On the bank of an impassable river in monsoon season, which transforms into scorched moonscape at rains’ end, the small village of Oebaki is considered one of the poorest communities in the country. The prefix “Oe” means water, but drought has stolen this town’s identity. Poverty abounds, and families struggle to feed their children.
Imagine life in Oebaki.
Now imagine the world the way God intends.
God imagines a world where all are fed, everyone has access to clean water, and all children grow up healthy. The author of Ephesians writes, “Now to God be the glory, who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine…”
(Ephesians 3:20). Your gifts to Week of Compassion help make this world look more like the world God imagines.
In Oebaki, your gifts help support well-trained savings and loan groups that allow families to buy resilient vegetable seeds for farming, yarn for weaving stunningly beautiful traditional fabric, and egg-laying chickens for a sustainable source of protein essential to prevent child stunting. These three enterprises also produce excess goods that families sell to generate income.
Those who once struggled during the dry season and drought can now maintain a diversified diet by eating stored root vegetables from the last harvest, supplemented with greens purchased at the market.
Nelci Tlonaen works hard in Oebaki with her husband and three children—two in elementary school and one entering high school. Despite the current drought, she feels confident that her family will persevere. “Even now, I can afford clothes and food for my children. I don’t have any difficulty paying for their school.”
That’s what happens when we imagine the world as God intends.
Through your gifts to Week of Compassion, our imaginations, and far more, become reality for families in Oebaki and around the world. Please give generously!
For more information please visit the website.
Imagine digging into the sand of a dry river bed in search of drinking water.
Imagine your child is diagnosed with stunted growth, a preventable early childhood condition with lifelong consequences.
These are the struggles of the people living in a small village in West Timor, Indonesia. On the bank of an impassable river in monsoon season, which transforms into scorched moonscape at rains’ end, the small village of Oebaki is considered one of the poorest communities in the country. The prefix “Oe” means water, but drought has stolen this town’s identity. Poverty abounds, and families struggle to feed their children.
Imagine life in Oebaki.
Now imagine the world the way God intends.
God imagines a world where all are fed, everyone has access to clean water, and all children grow up healthy. The author of Ephesians writes, “Now to God be the glory, who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine…”
(Ephesians 3:20). Your gifts to Week of Compassion help make this world look more like the world God imagines.
In Oebaki, your gifts help support well-trained savings and loan groups that allow families to buy resilient vegetable seeds for farming, yarn for weaving stunningly beautiful traditional fabric, and egg-laying chickens for a sustainable source of protein essential to prevent child stunting. These three enterprises also produce excess goods that families sell to generate income.
Those who once struggled during the dry season and drought can now maintain a diversified diet by eating stored root vegetables from the last harvest, supplemented with greens purchased at the market.
Nelci Tlonaen works hard in Oebaki with her husband and three children—two in elementary school and one entering high school. Despite the current drought, she feels confident that her family will persevere. “Even now, I can afford clothes and food for my children. I don’t have any difficulty paying for their school.”
That’s what happens when we imagine the world as God intends.
Through your gifts to Week of Compassion, our imaginations, and far more, become reality for families in Oebaki and around the world. Please give generously!
For more information please visit the website.
Update on the California wildfires
provided by Week of Compassion
Update on the California wildfires
We continue to pray for the communities in California affected by the current, deadly wildfires. On Sunday, First Christian Church, Paradise worshiped at First Christian Church, Chico, as Paradise was, and is, under evacuation orders. Pastor Jan McCollester, of First Christian Church, Paradise shared with Week of Compassion staff today that the church building, which was thought to have burned, appears sound, according to reports from firef...ighters in the area. However, most, if not all of the members of the congregation expect damage to or total loss of their homes. First Christian Church, Chico also has members whose homes have burned.
As of 7:30am local time, the Camp Fire had burned over 125,000 acres and was 30% contained. In Southern California, the Woolsey fire has burned nearly 100,000 acres and is 35% contained.
Gifts to Week of Compassion can be designated "US Storms and Fires" to support response and recovery efforts for these damaging fires.
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O God, in the midst of more heartache, chaos, and loss, we turn to you questioning how many times our hearts must break. They break for our siblings who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their community. They break for those who mourn loved ones lost in the flames. God, our hearts break for your earth, which you created good, but which we have marred by our mistreatment. Our hearts break with yours, for your beloveds who are suffering today. And yet, in the midst of the brokenness, we glimpse your new creation--in churches that open for their neighbors, in strangers who give generously to help others in a moment of need, in firefighters and first responders who demonstrate sacrificial love and bravery. So, even from our brokenness, even from the pit, we shall praise you, for your steadfast love endures. Amen.
Update on the California wildfires
We continue to pray for the communities in California affected by the current, deadly wildfires. On Sunday, First Christian Church, Paradise worshiped at First Christian Church, Chico, as Paradise was, and is, under evacuation orders. Pastor Jan McCollester, of First Christian Church, Paradise shared with Week of Compassion staff today that the church building, which was thought to have burned, appears sound, according to reports from firef...ighters in the area. However, most, if not all of the members of the congregation expect damage to or total loss of their homes. First Christian Church, Chico also has members whose homes have burned.
As of 7:30am local time, the Camp Fire had burned over 125,000 acres and was 30% contained. In Southern California, the Woolsey fire has burned nearly 100,000 acres and is 35% contained.
Gifts to Week of Compassion can be designated "US Storms and Fires" to support response and recovery efforts for these damaging fires.
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O God, in the midst of more heartache, chaos, and loss, we turn to you questioning how many times our hearts must break. They break for our siblings who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their community. They break for those who mourn loved ones lost in the flames. God, our hearts break for your earth, which you created good, but which we have marred by our mistreatment. Our hearts break with yours, for your beloveds who are suffering today. And yet, in the midst of the brokenness, we glimpse your new creation--in churches that open for their neighbors, in strangers who give generously to help others in a moment of need, in firefighters and first responders who demonstrate sacrificial love and bravery. So, even from our brokenness, even from the pit, we shall praise you, for your steadfast love endures. Amen.
provided by Week of Compassion
The best ways to help now are to:
If you or your congregation wants to respond in a more active way, prepare hygiene or cleanup kits— https://cwskits.org/assemble-kits/
You can also take this opportunity to prepare your family and your congregation for a disaster in your area. Churches that have planned ahead are better able to help their communities in the event of a disaster, large or small. A good place to start for congregations is this Preparedness Plan Guide from ReadyNOVA: http://en.readynova.org/faith
The best ways to help now are to:
- Pray for the affected communities and the trained first responders and relief workers who are providing immediate relief.
- Stay where you are for now—these communities will need outside volunteers for the long process of rebuilding, but in these early days, volunteers who are not specifically trained and directly invited are more of a hassle than a help for local communities. This is especially true in North Carolina, where flooding continues, some rivers are still rising, and many places are under restricted access. Mark your calendars to come as a volunteer 6 months or a year from now. Follow Week of Compassion and Disciples Volunteering on social media to stay up to date on future volunteer opportunities through Disciples. In the meantime, there are many communities recovering from other disasters who are in need of your help right now! Visit www.discipleshomemissions.org/servants-needed to find out more.
- Give monetary donations to Week of Compassion. It may feel less personal than sending items you’ve lovingly selected, but money is easy to transport and is very efficient! Community organizations can often purchase supplies in bulk and at specially negotiated rates, and they can buy exactly what they need when they need it. Cash doesn’t take up warehouse space, and it can meet a variety of needs. Your dollars could become a meal at a shelter today or a new roof on a damaged house in a few months.
If you or your congregation wants to respond in a more active way, prepare hygiene or cleanup kits— https://cwskits.org/assemble-kits/
You can also take this opportunity to prepare your family and your congregation for a disaster in your area. Churches that have planned ahead are better able to help their communities in the event of a disaster, large or small. A good place to start for congregations is this Preparedness Plan Guide from ReadyNOVA: http://en.readynova.org/faith
Iowa Storm Relief
On July 19, an outbreak of tornadoes surprised towns across Iowa. Though storms and tornadoes are common in the area, these were unusual, developing quickly on an otherwise clear day. Bondurant Christian Church and Central Christian Church Marshalltown were both mere blocks from areas of severe damage.
Both churches have responded with deep compassion, offering care for affected church members and opening their doors to their communities.
Bondurant Christian Church has opened... its building as a cooling center and is welcoming residents who lost their homes to use the church kitchen while they are staying in hotels.
Central Christian Church has similarly opened their building to local organizations. According to Rev. Diana Frieberg, pastor at CCC: "We are currently opening our building now as a drop in site for anybody that needs a place to cool off, use internet or relax. We have also invited Northeast Iowa Agency for Aging to use our site for coordination of their senior meals, and The Triumph Center to use our site as a daily drop in place for peer to peer interactions for the clients with mental health issues."
In both communities, discussions are underway for long-term recovery, as well. Week of Compassion is grateful to be in partnership with these congregations to help provide relief now and support for the recovery to come.
Both churches have responded with deep compassion, offering care for affected church members and opening their doors to their communities.
Bondurant Christian Church has opened... its building as a cooling center and is welcoming residents who lost their homes to use the church kitchen while they are staying in hotels.
Central Christian Church has similarly opened their building to local organizations. According to Rev. Diana Frieberg, pastor at CCC: "We are currently opening our building now as a drop in site for anybody that needs a place to cool off, use internet or relax. We have also invited Northeast Iowa Agency for Aging to use our site for coordination of their senior meals, and The Triumph Center to use our site as a daily drop in place for peer to peer interactions for the clients with mental health issues."
In both communities, discussions are underway for long-term recovery, as well. Week of Compassion is grateful to be in partnership with these congregations to help provide relief now and support for the recovery to come.
2018 Pentecost Special Day offering
Received in most congregations on May 20 and 27.
"And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work... He who supplies seeds to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness... Thanks be to God for God's indescribable gift!" II Corinthians 9:8-15
Planting churches can help change the world
“Planting a church can make a huge and lasting impression in the community it serves,” says Terrell L. McTyer, minister of New Church Strategies and church planter. “By empowering the oppressed, praying for the disenfranchised, caring for the poor and promoting hope in a fragmented world, the church can literally help change the world,” he adds.
Each year, half of the Pentecost Offering is designated to the local Christian Disciples Region/Area in an effort to start and sustain new churches. The other half is used by Hope Partnership to support the recruitment, assessment, training and coaching of new church leaders at events like Leadership Academy.
Disciples are on course to starting 1,000 new churches by 2020. For additional information visit www.hopepmt.org.
"And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work... He who supplies seeds to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness... Thanks be to God for God's indescribable gift!" II Corinthians 9:8-15
Planting churches can help change the world
“Planting a church can make a huge and lasting impression in the community it serves,” says Terrell L. McTyer, minister of New Church Strategies and church planter. “By empowering the oppressed, praying for the disenfranchised, caring for the poor and promoting hope in a fragmented world, the church can literally help change the world,” he adds.
Each year, half of the Pentecost Offering is designated to the local Christian Disciples Region/Area in an effort to start and sustain new churches. The other half is used by Hope Partnership to support the recruitment, assessment, training and coaching of new church leaders at events like Leadership Academy.
Disciples are on course to starting 1,000 new churches by 2020. For additional information visit www.hopepmt.org.
January 17, 2018
The human imagination is pretty incredible. Last fall, Week of Compassion staff and partners heard the dreams of teenage girls in Jakarta, Indonesia--unaccompanied refugees, without a permanent home. Their lives are filled with uncertainty and challenge, yet when they picture
their futures, they imagine themselves as small business owners, artists, mothers, surgeons, and pilots.
The human imagination is also limited, bound by our finite human experience. Sometimes the suffering of the world outpaces our ability to imagine new life.
For many, 2017 was an apocalyptic year filled with unbelievable storms, earthquakes, fires, floods, and violence. We prayed, stood with, and gave to people and causes from next-door neighbors to global neighbors we will never meet. Even when we found it hard to envision recovery and new life, we accompanied our neighbors, strengthened by the assurance that God is working in, through, and beyond us.
The same Apostle Paul who said that God is able to “accomplish abundantly more than we can ask or imagine” also put the work of building abundance squarely at our feet: “always seek to do good to one another and to all” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). Through thick and thin, when dreams abound and when our imaginations run dry, we continue to do good. Your Week of Compassion gifts work “around the
world, around the year” to bring more of God’s love and goodwill than we can ask or imagine.
You shared your compassion with families in South Texas and Puerto Rico who were impacted by hurricanes.
You offered food and shelter to families as far away as Sierra Leone and Bangladesh who experienced the most severe floods of the century.
You extended God’s care to refugees from Syria and Somalia.
You imagined an unimaginable world -- God’s world-- for empowered women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia.
In grateful partnership, we offer again our thanks and rejoice in the abundant good work of the gospel. As we continue to walk together in compassion for others, let us be strengthened in the knowledge that God is able to “accomplish abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.”
Week of Compassion special offering will be received at worship on Sunday, February 25, 2018
The human imagination is pretty incredible. Last fall, Week of Compassion staff and partners heard the dreams of teenage girls in Jakarta, Indonesia--unaccompanied refugees, without a permanent home. Their lives are filled with uncertainty and challenge, yet when they picture
their futures, they imagine themselves as small business owners, artists, mothers, surgeons, and pilots.
The human imagination is also limited, bound by our finite human experience. Sometimes the suffering of the world outpaces our ability to imagine new life.
For many, 2017 was an apocalyptic year filled with unbelievable storms, earthquakes, fires, floods, and violence. We prayed, stood with, and gave to people and causes from next-door neighbors to global neighbors we will never meet. Even when we found it hard to envision recovery and new life, we accompanied our neighbors, strengthened by the assurance that God is working in, through, and beyond us.
The same Apostle Paul who said that God is able to “accomplish abundantly more than we can ask or imagine” also put the work of building abundance squarely at our feet: “always seek to do good to one another and to all” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). Through thick and thin, when dreams abound and when our imaginations run dry, we continue to do good. Your Week of Compassion gifts work “around the
world, around the year” to bring more of God’s love and goodwill than we can ask or imagine.
You shared your compassion with families in South Texas and Puerto Rico who were impacted by hurricanes.
You offered food and shelter to families as far away as Sierra Leone and Bangladesh who experienced the most severe floods of the century.
You extended God’s care to refugees from Syria and Somalia.
You imagined an unimaginable world -- God’s world-- for empowered women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia.
In grateful partnership, we offer again our thanks and rejoice in the abundant good work of the gospel. As we continue to walk together in compassion for others, let us be strengthened in the knowledge that God is able to “accomplish abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.”
Week of Compassion special offering will be received at worship on Sunday, February 25, 2018
