The winds blew and the water rose ... and the lives of people were changed forever. The recent hurricane disasters remind us both of our fragile state as humans and also of the connection we have with people we may never meet. We see their faces and we hear their stories as we follow the news of disaster. We are connected with them by God's gift of compassion. We live in the heart of Christ who has compassion, who "suffers with" all those who are in pain, who have lost lives or homes or hope.

We at Upper Room Ministries know that you have given generously to direct aid through your gifts of cash, clothing, food, water, and time. Here are some opportunities to support the spiritual lives of those who need care and their caregivers.

• Responding to Displaced Individuals
• Reconnecting with Churches
• Replenishing Libraries
• Assisting You in Your Ministry

1. Responding to Displaced Individuals
Prayers for Hope: Words of Faith for Difficult Times

Upper Room Ministries has felt a call to respond to the spiritual needs of those who have been left shattered by the storm. We are printing copies of a new 32-page booklet, Prayers for Hope, a compilation of prayers, scriptures, and meditations, to be made available to people in need. 100,000 of these booklets will be donated to disaster victims through churches and service agencies. We hope that this resource will be helpful to many local churches and individuals who have opened their doors to displaced people. This resource is in production now and should be available by mid October. (These booklets will also be available for sale in our online bookstore for your personal or church's use.) Download a Prayers for Hope Sampler. (This file is a PDF and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing.)

• If you are able, we invite you to give a gift to help with the production and distribution of Prayers for Hope. $25 will provide 50 booklets to victims of the hurricanes. (Designate your gift to "Disaster Response Fund.") Please give now.

2. Reconnecting with Our Churches
Continuing the Practice of Daily Devotion

Over 365 local churches and customers of The Upper Room were damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These churches were receiving more than 18,000 copies of our devotional guide each shipment. Upper Room Ministries would like to continue providing these magazines to churches despite their inability to pay.

• Please give a gift to help continue sending magazines to local churches damaged by the storms. Your gift of $37.50 will provide 50 copies of the current issue. (Designate your gift to "Disaster Response Fund.") Please give now.

3. Responding to Churches and Pastors
Church Library Pack

Hundreds of churches of all denominations have been destroyed or flooded by the hurricanes. Upper Room Ministries would like to donate to local churches or pastors affected by the storms a Church Library Pack which will provide a bundle of resources to help replace their church or pastor's library.

Our editors have selected 25 titles that are foundational materials for churches. The selection includes The Upper Room's Children's Bible, Companions in Christ, and Safe Sanctuaries, among other resources for Christian education, the devotional life, and church leadership. This collection retails at $349.00.

• If able, we invite you to give a gift of $100 to provide a Church Library Pack for a local church or pastor's library. (Designate your gift to "Disaster Response Fund.") Please give now.

4. Special Resources for Special Times
Assisting You in Your Ministry

We are grateful for the ways that individuals and churches have gone the second mile to respond to the needs created by the hurricanes. We realize that you or your local church may need special resources to address this time of challenge. Upper Room Ministries would like to offer a 20% discount in our online bookstore to assist you in helping others. Type in KAT95 at step three of the bookstore checkout. (This discount is valid through December 31, 2005. Not all items are eligible for this discount.)

Thank you for your support of the spiritual needs of the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Give now using our secure online giving form. Or send your tax-deductible check through the postal mail to: