First Christian Church, Flora, Indiana

February 2010

“Charity begins at home.” We have all heard that statement, and in the case of the church, there is no arguing the point. Over the period of a year, First Christian Church pours out its heart to the needs at our back door. During the weeks before Christmas, checks were written  which allowed enough food and gifts to be purchased to help nearly 2 dozen families. Other churches in the area did the same, as well. When it comes time for camp, the church responds to the young people, and offers scholarships so that no youth is denied the camping experience. Other special offerings during the year happen at Easter, Pentecost, and a special offering for reconciliation supports the ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The outpouring and response during our annual Week of Compassion offering observance helps to reinforce the idea that there are people in need, and as God’s children, we will respond.

Week of Compassion is one of the most effective ways that we can funnel our dollars and get those funds directly to those who are in need. Funded by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Week of Compassion uses the gifts of the people and gets those monetary gifts directly to where they are needed with no overhead costs. A few years ago, I spent a week in the community of Lake Charles, LA working on homes that had been destroyed by the hurricanes. Because of gifts to Week of Compassion, we had a place to stay, tools to work with, and thousands of dollars were put to work in providing aid, food, water and shelter for thousands of people in need. That same scenario is played out when there is a flood in Missouri, or a tornado in Kentucky or any kind of natural disasters. Not too long ago, Week of Compassion funds returned to Indiana, to the nearby town of Winamac when flooding forced people from their homes. With their track record and their effective way of meeting needs, Week of Compassion is one of the best places we can send our money.

700 miles off the coast of Florida, there is a tiny nation named Haiti. It is one of the poorest nations in the world. I personally know of several doctors, dentists and Christians who have gone to that small island and offered their time and skills to help children and adults. Now, as we all know, that country is in ruins. The devastation is tremendous, something we can not even imagine. Nearly every day, we are bombarded with the needs of the of Haiti. They have no water, no food, and tent cities replacing neighborhoods. It is hard to watch. It is hard to see people suffer. But we all want to do our part. Some can do more than others. And all that god asks, I believe, is for us to respond in whatever way we can to our brothers and sisters who are in need. We never know when we might find ourselves in a similar situation.

I invite you to pray for the people of Haiti, that they may be comforted because of their great loss. I ask that you lift up those who are working to recover, uncover and repair the the country. And our prayers are with the government of Haiti as they try and regain control of their nation. If you are so moved, consider a gift, to Week of Compassion, the  Red Cross, or any other viable agency that has a proven track record. Charity might begin at home, but it also reaches across the miles to those whom we have never met, who are in need.

Pastor Woody