First response: a behind-the-scenes look at response and resource distribution | |
There are many phases of disaster response – from the immediate needs of water, food, and shelter, to long-term needs like livelihood programs and psycho-social support – and everything in between. While you often hear stories about the initial responses, and see updates on the progress of rebuilding through Week of Compassion, you don’t often see the behind-the-scenes process of communication involving our global network of partners.
In the initial phases of any response, there are critical, intentional conversations between Week of Compassion, ecumenical partners, and people on the ground, in order to assess the most efficient and most empowering ways to move forward, and to determine what kind of help is most needed.
One recent example of such a response is the Coronavirus outbreak in China and its ongoing impact. As the news reflected a quickly escalating spread of the virus in late January, Week of Compassion reached out to local partners to find out what they were hearing in real time and to learn of immediate plans they might have to respond. We let them know that our wider Disciples community was with them in prayer, and that Week of Compassion was prepared to support their local efforts.
Then Week of Compassion Executive Director Rev. Vy Nguyen received a response from our Global Ministries partner in China. They said that what was most needed at that moment was emergency medical supplies. We coordinated with other ecumenical partners and health organizations, providing funds to help in this effort and get the needed supplies delivered in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. In cooperation with others, Week of Compassion helped provide much needed items like medical masks, goggles and gowns that would help first responders prevent the further spread of disease. | | Invitation to join in prayer
We thank you, oh God, for the creative work of the Greater Kansas City region as they support their 75 congregations with programming from seminars, clergy connections, camps and more. We praise you for the evidence of your work in them. Amen. | | | | Week of Compassion special offering received this month
Each year in February, congregations across the United States and Canada collect a special offering for Week of Compassion. This year, these offerings will be received by many congregations Feb. 16 and 23.
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.
A variety of resources are available to share in your congregation, like videos, bulletin inserts, children's activities, and more. | | | | Creation Care and Lent: A Q&A with seminary professor Leah Schade
With Lent and Easter coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this year, Rev. Leah Schade, a professor at Lexington Theological Seminary and a climate activist, had the opportunity to combine her passion for the Earth with a powerful and practical devotional resource for congregations. The result is For the Beauty of the Earth: A Lenten Devotional, which features daily devotions and spiritual practices focused on caring for God’s creation, as well as a bonus section called "50 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day during the 50 Days of Easter."
“Creation care is an urgent concern for Christians today,” says Schade. "The climate emergency and environmental crises we face directly impact the people of God. Farmers in our congregations deal with increased flooding and droughts. Children in our churches suffer from asthma due to air pollution. Churches in areas hit by catastrophic storms fueled by global warming minister to people in the aftermath of the devastation. And as we watch the extinction of so many of God’s creatures, we are called to advocate for 'the least of these' within our Earth community.” Read the rest of the interview, which includes how to use the devotional as a congregational resource for Creation care this Lent, here. | | | | Upper Midwest opens search for new regional minister
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest is seeking to call an ordained minister with standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to the position of Regional Minister and President. A Regional Profile and Position Description are posted here.
All applicants are required to provide updated search and call paperwork in order to be considered. Furthermore, all applicants are required to submit a Letter of Interest to the Upper Midwest Regional Office by March 1, addressed to: Search Committee Chairperson, Rev. Suzie Moore, Christian Church in the Upper Midwest, 5064 Lincoln St., Newton, IA 50208. | | | | 2020 Year Book reporting window open through March 15
The annual Year Book & Directory is all about connections between expressions of the Church. Congregations and clergy, general and regional ministries, and General Assembly reports and resolutions are contained in each issue.
The reporting window for the 2020 Year Book is open through March 15.
Visit disciples.org/yearbook to download instructions, answers to frequently asked questions, instructional webinar for congregations, PDF forms in English, Spanish, Korean, and French, and to submit your report online.
The Year Book serves as an invaluable resource for church staff and members, as well as the official record of a year in the life of our Church – and it’s not complete without you! | | | | Applications open for HELM scholarships
The Leadership Fellows program is a leadership development program for Disciples undergraduate students. Each of the four years of undergraduate education has a different focus: Community, Transformation, Global Awareness, and Mentoring. Click here to learn more about the Leadership Fellows program and to access the online application.
For Disciples students pursuing a PhD in the field of religion, HELM offers two scholarships, the William Gilbert and Florence Leonard Jones Scholarship and the Ann E. Dickerson Scholarship. Click here for more information on these scholarships and to access the online application.
All application materials for both the Leadership Fellows Program and PhD scholarships must be received by April 30. If you have questions, please contact Jon Barnes. | | | | Disciples Home Missions offers free Lent devotional resource
The season of Lent is the period prior to Easter. The period, which lasts from Ash Wednesday to Easter, extends for 40 days (excluding Sundays). The observance of Lent varies greatly among Christians, both in denominational participation, and according to personal practice.
Lent is regarded as an opportunity for reflection, as the time approaches to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The contrast of experience and emotion, in recalling these two events is to be expected. It would not be exaggeration to think of Good Friday and Easter as the best and worst events in history. This tension affects the nature of the reflection that believers engage in. | | Additional resources and opportunities
| | | | Applications for NBA's 2020-21 XPLOR program are open
NBA XPLOR is a movement for young adults who are considering lives of care and service. The Residency provides 10-month professional development and vocational discernment opportunities for 21-30-year-olds to live simply in community and engage in direct service and justice work. We partner young adults with Disciples congregations, regional and general ministries, and wider communities—positively engaging neighborhoods, the congregations, and the young adults. If you, or someone you know would be interested in NBA's XPLOR program please consider applying on the NBA website. The deadline is Feb. 14. | | More opportunities to put ministry into action
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