Hurricane Katrina Response

The following letter, from the minister, Rev. Steve Workman, highlights some of the ways members and friends of the First Christian Church of Macomb can help those in need after Hurrican Katrina

September 6, 2005

Dear Church Family,

In these passing days following Hurricane Katrina, we may find ourselves wondering how we may help those who are in need. While many are still being rescued and relocated, many people from the three states have now begun to move across the entire South and Southwest Regions of the United States. Last Thursday, the Macomb Schools had their first hurricane family enter the school system, for which the schools are assisting to meet their needs. We will certainly feel some impact from Katrina right here in Macomb.

What can we do to help these victims in the South? Of course, there is always the financial aspect. Gifts made electronically arrive first and most easily. We can give over the internet via web sites for the American Red Cross (https://give.redcross.org/?hurricanemasthead) and Week of Compassion (https://donate.weekofcompassion.org/). The American Red Cross also has a toll-free number through which you can make credit card donations as well (1-800 HELP NOW).

Our church has a long history of offering support through our Week of Compassion, the Disciples of Christ national/international disaster relief organization, and it’s further affiliation with Church World Service. For many, many years our CWF has graciously encouraged us to provide CWS blankets through Blanket Sunday each October. Another way to assist the Katrina victims is the creation of health kits for Church World Service. CWS believes that it might cost as much as $12 per health kit for them to prepare them, and we could donate towards that amount, but we can put them together locally and ship them to CWS for still less than half that amount. A comb, tooth paste, tooth brush, bar of soap, a washcloth and a bath towel, and six band-aids will go a long way in making someone feel a small bit of comfort in the middle of their disaster.

If you wish, please contribute by dropping off a donation in the church office or give this Sunday to the Health Kit effort by marking your envelope or check ledger with an amount for CWS. Shoppers, Bob and Karen Chatterton (Community Service and Outreach Department) will make all of the purchases, using the church tax exemption and buying in bulk to make our monetary gifts stretch even further! Then, let’s gather at 5:15pm on Thursday, September 15th, in Fellowship Hall to put the kits together -- I anticipate less than an hour will be needed. The church office will take care of shipping the boxes out the next day.

“From whom much is given, much is expected.” Providing CWS Health Kits is an easy way for us to remember the “least of these” as Jesus suggests. Let’s join our mite together with others’ to make someone more comfortable. If you have any questions please contact the church office.

May God continue to bless you and yours!


Rev. Steven Workman