Thank You Week of Compassion
June 23, 2008
Dear Week of Compassion,
We are truly blessed to be a part of this proud, serving church!
The Week of Compassion checks were distributed during worship yesterday. The ones who experienced the most devastation from the flood are also the ones that wanted to be with their church family to worship, to receive hugs, to cry, and to laugh. A couple of these faithful ones actually helped last week with Vacation Bible School while their homes flooded. This Sunday they were completely exhausted but received the check with grins, tears, and a unison “Thank you!”
We had over 30 church volunteers assisting with evacuation, clean up, and re-entry. Craig Robertson and youth volunteers from Grant Park helped us immensely. Monday, June 16th, we hosted a funeral for a beloved member followed by a luncheon. There was a good bit of food left over and this served the volunteers! Our shut-ins called the church office, offering their prayers. Everyone was involved in expressing care during the events of this week.
But the greatest gift Sunday was to hear over and over this statement from congregational members, “We never realized how Week of Compassion worked before. Now we know. Please express our thanks!”
We had representatives from FEMA visit Sunday that heard we were the epicenter of care in the Parks neighborhood. Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity had representatives with us Sunday, thanking us for giving them room for their “stuff” during and after their building flooded.
We now know more about mold, bad smells, and community resources than ever before. The story will continue but today is sweet!
We are blessed. Thank you!
Gail Holcombe
Minister of Health
Highland Park Christian Church
Des Moines, IA
June 22, 2008
Dear Week of Compassion,
Delivering the WOC solidarity checks has been an amazing experience. Each and every family is overwhelmed with gratitude and humbled by the strength and support of the whole church. One man tried to say "thanks" this morning in worship; we simply cried together. There are not adequate words to express this congregation's gratitude. We are truly blessed to be a part of God's family known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.) I only wish the words carried the depth of gratitude and thanksgiving felt by this congregation."
Liz Woodward, Pastor
First Christian Church
Cedar Falls, IA
May 30, 2008
Dear Week of Compassion:
On behalf of members of Lake Harriet Christian Church who are struggling to offer truly useful assistance following the Hugo, MN tragedy and loss of life of a grandchild of LHCC members Barb and Bob Rhea, I extend deep thanks for the immediate response shown by you special folks in the office of Week of Compassion. And thank you to you, Don, in the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest Regional office; so grateful for your immediate help in connecting us to the possibility of assistance from the broader church through contact with WOC.
The concrete response of financial assistance at such a time when so little can be said to ease the family's emotional pain is just the constructive kind of help others need to be able to help offer. Thank you for the leadership Week of Compassion takes in showing Church how to offer Christ so willingly.
So appreciative of the Christ-following compassion that flows through and forth,
Tammy Rottschaefer
Associate Minister of Spiritual Formation
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 6, 2008
Dear Disciples of Christ,
It is on behalf of our guests, as well as on behalf of the board and staff of the Harry Tompson Center, that I extend my gratitude for your generous award of a grant of $5,000 for our facility. Your donation will be used to help finance construction of additional office space to house, among others, our medical & mental health services for the homeless. In the last three months 569 people have received medical care and 158 have received mental health services.
In this post-Katrina world, women and men from all areas of the continent are utilizing the center. Approximately 200 people a day are accessing the various services offered at our Center. We welcome your partnership in seeing to our guests' most basic needs in a manner that is dignified and respectful.
Once again we thank the Disciples of Christ for being an important partner in this critical venture.
Sincerely,
Don Thompson, Executive Director
Harry Tompson Center
New Orleans, LA
April 30, 2008
Dear Friends,
We have joined the Community Food Bank! By joining CFB, we will be using our donations of money more wisely.
In the first four months of 2008, we have given 341 bags of food; in April, we gave out 118! We are thankful for all that we have to share with the people who have come to see us. Most who come share their thanks with us and tell us what a blessing these gifts of food are to them.
We are thankful to Week of Compassion for helping to supply the needs of the pantry.
Blessings to you,
April Langstraat
First Christian Church
Selma, CA
April 25, 2008
Dear Week of Compassion:
On behalf of the St. Bernard Project, our clients and staff, we want to thank you for your donation of $5,000 in support for families in St. Bernard Parish. With support from donors like you, we have been able to rebuild over 95 families' homes in the past 18 months. We are not stopping: another 25+ families' homes are under construction and our waiting list is dauntingly full.
As you know, the devastation from the floodwaters in St. Bernard Parish was complete. And as we are learning, it is also long-lasting. A month ago, a client described it succinctly by saying, "this is a long storm." This simple phrase, in the present tense, is an accurate reminder that many residents continue to suffer.
Despite the destruction and struggles, the community moves forward feeling hopeful. With partners like you, we have not a small group but a large cadre of caring, committed people who can make a significant impact on this community, There can be no doubt that we will rebuild St. Bernard Parish, family by family.
It is the next 3-10 years that will determine whether we are truly successful. With your support, commitment and energy, we have no doubt that we will be.
Thanks again for your support and encouragement.
Very truly yours,
Liz, Zack and the entire SBP Family
St. Bernard Project
Chalmette, LA
February 15, 2008
Dear Week of Compassion,
We were so blessed today when the postman brought us the check from Week of Compassion. May God richly bless you and your organization.
We are working diligently to raise the money needed for the repairs of the flood victims in Wichita/Archer Counties. Grants that we have applied for will take some time to be processed. It will be at least the middle of July.
We are doing what we can for the people who do not need as much assistance right now with the money we have in hand.
Again, let me thank you for you support of our program. God bless you.
Sincerely,
Mary Ward, Program Director
Wichita Falls (TX) Area Disaster Recovery Committee
January 16, 2008
Dear Week of Compassion,
I again want to thank you for partnering with us in response to the flood here in Watseka. Three years ago you and I talked about the flood that affected our community. You responded very quickly by sending a check that I might use with my fellow colleagues in ministry here in Watseka. I want you to know that money was used in a very significant way. Our Ministerial Alliance used the money in a wonderful way. Members of our community were amazed by what the money was able to do. We planted a seed of accountability and proactive ministry.
It was announced that Week of Compassion again responded to the flood of 2008. I want you to know that tonight our local Ministerial Alliance has been asked to use $100,000.00 from a local trust to respond to this disaster. Thank you for helping me to plant the seed. Our community is coming together and attempting to move through this disaster.
David Todd, Pastor
First Christian Church
Watseka, IL
|
