Recovery Work Continues - Thank You, Disciples!

Thursday, April 3, A.D. 2008

As we move into the final few months of the Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, the good news out of the Office of Disciples Volunteering is that 742 groups have now participated in or are scheduled for a work trip to hurricane recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast (and tornado rebuilding work in Greensburg, KS). Great news, indeed, and no doubt the goal of 750 groups will be reached in the next few weeks as ODV continues to receive inquiries daily.

It is good to set and reach goals, but what is really important is the homes being rebuilt, the lives being changed and the congregations being re-energized because of the thousands of volunteers who are participating in this project. I’m just back from a week of pastoral visits to Disciples mission stations, congregations and partners in Mississippi and Louisiana and heard again and again accounts of what this effort has meant to so many.

Of course, recovery work doesn’t end when this two-year initiative ends on August 31, 2008. Indeed, rebuilding needs remain enormous and will take years and years to meet. Groups are already calling about the fall and winter. An announcement about Phase II will be made soon.

Also, a word of thanks to the thousands of Disciples congregations, members and friends who have given (and continue to give) more than $4 million to WOC for hurricane relief and recovery. Those gifts are changing lives. Thanks!

- Johnny Wray

Still Time to Register

There are a few spaces still available at the upcoming WeekEnd of Compassion – April 11-13 in Nashville, TN. Check out this story.

WOC Map/Poster

Click here for the latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster. For a complimentary copy of the map/poster for your congregation, call the office at 317.713.2442 or send an e-mail to ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.