Responding Quickly to an Unanticipated Need

In Sunday's sermon, I encouraged us to prepare for the unexpected by asking "what if?" more often, in various situations.  Here is a real-life situation where such preparations allowed people to respond well to an almost unimaginable need in West Virginia.

Over the weekend, a chemical spill into the water supply made water unusable for 300,000 people in nine counties, including the capital city of Charleston.  This week, Week of Compassion sent out a report from the West Virginia Regional Minister, Thad Allen, about the coordinated response to this unforeseen problem.

I encourage you to read the report here.

I hope, as you read, that you notice a few things.  First, it is unlikely that anyone ever imagined that this specific event could occur, so there is no single plan of how to respond.  

Second, notice the coordinated response.  Congregations were told of the need by a Disciples congregation at the epicenter (communication, including knowing who to call), they collected supplies (like a mission or "hands on" offering) and got volunteers to transport the supplies (like a sign up sheet on the bulletin board), and they worked with a larger organization, the West Virginia Council of Churches, to better coordinate the effort (because this religious organization has experience responding to emergencies around the state).

Through their activities as church, these congregations had prepared (more than they knew) for a situation like this.  Like them, so are we.  Still, I encourage you to imagine -- if this happened nearby, how would you respond?  What should Eastgate do?

Week of Compassion Special Offering Collected This Sunday!

This Sunday and next, we are taking our first special offering of the year in support of Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee, and development fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

The ministry directs resources to needs in the United States and around the world through grants, expertise, and coordination of mission volunteers.  Just this week, they've posted an update on the on-going work in the wake of disasters in Joplin, MO, Tuscaloosa, AL, and along the Gulf Coast, bringing together volunteers from countless congregations.

The current theme for the Week of Compassion offering is "Sharing Brings Joy."  Recently, they posted a new video about their service to others and about our opportunity to share with others.

Sharing Brings Joy from Week of Compassion on Vimeo.

From other pastors, I have heard of the excellent work that Week of Compassion has done, especially when their congregations have faced emergencies -- a few days ago, Weed of Compassion offered quick assistance to members of a church in West Virginia who suffered a household.  It is a ministry that touches many lives in the worst times and well worth our support.

2011 Week of Compassion Report

In February, we will again collect our special offering for Week of Compassion, the emergency relief ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Earlier this month, they reported the total cash relief that was distributed in 2011, almost $1.6 million.  You can read the list of where this money was shared here.

I hope that you will prayerfully consider how you will support the good service of this outreach ministry in 2012.

Week of Compassion update

Week of Compassion, the disaster relief ministry of the Disciples of Christ, posts frequent updates on their efforts.  With this first update of 2012, they explain some of the ongoing ministries in which they are heavily invested, investing in empowering women around the world and promoting sustainable food production to counter hunger, in addition to improving their ability to respond in the wake of disasters.

You can read the most recent update from Week of Compassion here.