Partners in Comfort

Katrina Anniversary Marks Start of Disciples Recovery Initiative
While much of America has noted the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina this week, thousands upon thousands of residents across the Gulf South continue to struggle to put their families back together, rebuild their homes and communities, and return some sense of normalcy to their lives. While government agencies at all levels have not yet been able to organize a thorough and effective response, hurricane survivors continue to laud the efforts of the churches and church-related agencies. Disciples ... have provided more than $2 million dollars through Week of Compassion to hurricane relief and recovery and sent more than 250 work groups and nearly 3,000 volunteers to the region.

Now WOC is launching a new 2-year, $2+ million long- term hurricane recovery initiative to ensure that Disciples' response to the most disastrous hurricane year on record continues. The initiative calls for Disciples to send 750 work groups to the region between September 1, 2006, and August 31, 2008 ...

Week of Compassion is deeply appreciative of the remarkable outpouring of gifts in response to our hurricane relief and recovery efforts. These gifts have enabled us to respond to immediate needs, to ongoing needs throughout the year following, and now, to the critical long-term needs of recovery and rehabilitation.
- Week of Compassion update 8/31/06

Last weekend in worship, Randy challenged us to become 'Partners in Comfort'.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Tod was back, having left our staff six weeks ago to serve full time in our denominational office, leading this disaster response effort ... he said he'd be back, and he was! Jim and Tom and Pam shared glimpses of the meaning and power, even almost a year later, from the mission trips they joined ... the difference that it makes to make a difference to someone else.

And so the goal is set. 750 trips for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Of that? Geist Christian Church will do 15 ... 7 in '07, and 8 in '08.

This is an adventure in mission like none we've taken. Then again, this is a need -- here at home -- like none we've seen.

The gathered community on August 26-27 heeded the challenge from Randy, the inspiration from Tod, Jim, Tom and Pam and 'stickied' their intentions to be partners in comfort.

80 individuals or families said they'll be part of a misson trip or a support team: hammer, paint, carry, cut, clean, sweep / shop, cook, care for kids, take pictures

49 individuals or families committed to contribute to the mission fund: write a check, direct debit an account, charge a card (contact Elena)

78 individuals or families will prepare relief kits: pick up shopping/packing instructions at church, or click here and look for 'school kit' and 'health kit' lists

We will have several "y'all come" trips ... trips for the entire congregation, in any configuration. (Given the physical and emotional toll of this work, and for liability and safety reasons, we do ask that participants be of high school age and older.)

There will also be opportunities for special groups to pool their efforts and build relationships through serving together. True North men's ministries? Selah! ministries for women? CYF high school youth? Couples? Who else??

7 in '07. We have four of those seven dates READY for your calendar:

February 18 - 24, 2007: Slidell, Louisiana
*This trip will be in celebration of Week of Compassion, working year-round, but recognized each February. We have invited WoC Executive Director Johnny Wray to join us in Slidell.
May 13 - 19, 2007: Lake Charles, Louisiana
*Hit hard by Hurricane Rita, Lake Charles has been quite overlooked in other recovery efforts.
September 16 - 22, 2007: McComb, Mississippi
*Working with an interfaith agency, expanding the reach of recovery.
November 11 - 17, 2007: Algiers/New Orleans, Louisiana
*This mission station is finishing a new facility for hosting work groups of up to 70!

Enough excuses.
Enough delays.
Enough hesitation.
Enough.

Pack a kit.

Write a check.

Get in a van.

Become a Partner in Comfort.