CWS is a cooperative ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations, providing sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief and refugee assistance in more than 80 countries.

History: 1946 - 1949: CWS was established to assist relief efforts overseas in the aftermath of WWII.  It was the largest private agency distributing foreign relief to war torn Europe.

1950: CWS became part of the newly formed National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCCO).

1959: CWS phased out offices in 40 countries and entered into partnership with indigenous churches, signaling a new mode of operation. The new policy is not to become “operational” in its overseas programs but to assist its partners through funds and technical support. 

1960: CWS further augments its emergency assistance work with support for long-range problem solving efforts or sustainable development that addresses the root cause of poverty and hunger.
1970's: CWS has entered into conflict resolution in countries such as Vietnam and Ireland and it monitors and impacts U.S. government policies affecting world hunger and development.

1974: CWS helped establish the first Interfaith Disaster Response organization to assist in domestic disaster response. 

2000: CWS becomes an independent 501©)(3) organization, no longer sharing fiduciary and managerial operations with NCCC.  This involved internal restructuring along functional rather than regional lines.  Working at the grass roots level and with other organizations reduces administrative costs and makes a greater

 impact per dollar raised.

The major fund raisers and programs are as follows:

Crop Walk:   Annual county-wide walk  was October 23, 2005.  It is sponsored by churches of all denominations.  Walks are 3 miles and 10K in length, open to all ages and denominations.  Twenty-five percent of funds stay locally and 75% go to CWS.  Contact Persons: Letha Hickox (330) 722-2478 or Ed Temple (330) 722-6935.

Kits of the Heart: This is one of the UMW projects but anyone can put kits together or donate the cost of a kit.  Directions are available from any UMW officer.  Various kits are for use in times of disaster and include health, school, sewing and layette kits.  Recently, Medina UMC has sent over 200 health kits to the Gulf Coast. For information, contact Letha Hickox (330) 722-2478 or any UMW member.

Tools of Hope/Blankets: This is an annual church wide drive for funds for CWS to use in time of disaster or rebuilding.   Checks should be marked “Tools of Hope” or “Blankets” and can be turned in with the Sunday collection or at the time of this year’s MUMC campaign.  Tools of Hope in May and Blankets in November.

In addition to the above, CWS provides other services which include: well/clean water, immunization, medical supplies and medicines, pastoral counseling and spiritual care, micro-enterprises creation to empower women, efforts to break the cycle of poverty and life on the streets for the long term.  CWS has a  mission relationship/witness program;  educational  and advocacy programs for international justice and human rights as well as an emergency response program.