Nearly 100 Disciples had signed up to participate in the historic Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative (DHRI)

more than a week before the September 1 launching of the major, two-year program.

"We've never done anything quite like this before," said Carl Zerweck III, director, Office of Disciples Volunteering. A year after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravaged the Gulf Coast, Zerweck reports that since September 2005, nearly 3,000 people representing 239 groups have traveled to the area to participate in the clean up and rebuilding efforts.

Johnny Wray said this Initiative "has the potential to be a remarkable example of we Disciples at our best, with congregation members working together in hands-on mission."

"Who knows — this Initiative could bring new life and vitality to scores of congregations, transforming them and our denomination into a more healthy, vigorous church."

The damage caused by the storms was so extensive, and the need so great, that a partnership between Disciples congregations and regions, Disciples Home Mission's Office of Disciples Volunteering and Week of Compassion, has been formed to continue the recovery work in Mission Stations set up in areas around the Gulf Coast.

The Initiative calls for 750 Disciples volunteer groups to work at mission sites across the Gulf Coast between September 1, 2006 and August 30, 2008 to repair and rebuild hurricane damaged homes and participate in other recovery activities.

Disciples "Mission Stations" have been confirmed in partnership with Disciples congregations in Beaumont/Port Arthur, Texas; Covington/Slidell, La.; Lake Charles, La.; New Orleans, La.; and Gulfport, Miss. In addition, several Week of Compassion supported interfaith recovery organizations and local Habitat affiliates in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas have asked Disciples volunteers for assistance.

To sign up your group, visit:

www.discipleshomemissions.org/DisasterResponse.htm.

To apply for a Week of Compassion grant for your group, visit:

www.weekofcompassion.org.

Questions?

Tod Iseminger, Disciples Home Missions,

(317) 713-2684

Elaine Cleveland, Week of Compassion, (317) 713-2442

Cutlines

Youth from the Disciples Christian Church (Bartlesville, Okla.) and a DHM/Week of Compassion intern help repair a house in Lake Charles, La., for a family affected by Hurricane Rita. From the left, they are Falon Gomez, Jason Kixmiller, intern, Amanda Martin, and Dane Bennett.

The Disciples Christian Church (Bartlesville, Okla.) youth group heads home after their July mission trip to Beaumont, Texas, Lake Charles, La., and San Antonio, Texas. Pictured from left to right are Grant Bennett, Devan Zorn, Forrest Bennett, Falon Gomez, Amanda Martin, and Dane Bennett.

Trip leader, Scott Taylor, said, "The folks affected by Hurricane Rita get overshadowed by [Hurricane] Katrina so anything we can do to keep awareness of their needs in the forefront, we'll be happy to do. In fact, we're already beginning to make plans to go back again next year."