Oblation Donation Update - October 5, 2005

In September, the Community of Christ Presiding Bishopric announced that all Oblation contributions received during the month would be designated for disaster relief in hurricane-affected areas of the United States and Caribbean. As of Wednesday, October 5, we have received $540,000, with many congregations yet to report. This does not include the separate effort by several mission centers to raise $120,000 for the purchase of three mobile homes, or any contributions from outside North America, though we are aware of international jurisdictions that have been collecting funds for this cause.

The Presiding Bishopric has received several inquiries asking whether the total allocation of Oblation contributions to hurricane relief will extend into October. Because the overwhelming outpouring of contributions in September is adequate to meet the needs of which we are presently aware, we are not continuing the total allocation of all Oblation funds to hurricane relief past the end of September. We know there will be many needs to be met in the next few months as people rebuild their homes, relocate, or start over in new jobs. We will use the funds contributed so far to help wherever we see needs that can be met. If additional funds are needed to meet these needs, we will ask. For now, we will resume the direction of Oblation contributions to the larger Oblation Fund, for use all over the world.

To date, we have distributed $192,500 in hurricane relief, with $20,000 to the Red Cross, the rest being used by our congregations and mission centers in the USA Gulf states and Haiti for aid to our neighbors and members. Continue to watch this Web site and the Herald for updates as the true totals of contributions are known, as well as the ways that we distribute these funds. We are aware that many people will continue to make contributions marked specifically for “Hurricane Relief.” As always, we will do our best to honor the intent of the giver.

Thank you for your amazing, generous response.

The Presiding Bishopric