UCC Disaster Ministries
Response and Resources
Phil Shea, Southwest Conference Disaster Ministries Coordinator
Our Disaster Ministries page is dedicated to helping you and your congregation to connect to current situations, disaster preparedness resources for your church and opportunities to help others who are impacted by disaster, natural or otherwise.
Hi. I’m Phil Shea, your Conference Disaster Ministries Coordinator. I volunteered for this position because of my concern for how natural disasters are affecting UCC Congregations and other communities all around our country and the world. I believed my National Guard experience and training in Arizona as a Joint Operations Non-commissioned Officer helping to connect National Guard assets to disasters in Arizona would be a benefit. Since my retirement I have chosen to focus on the environment and climate change. Climate change is changing the landscape of disasters in the U.S. and around the world. All of us will be called upon to provide a humanitarian response to those communities and people affected by either the increased frequency or intensity of natural disasters. This has become a “new norm”. More than ever our congregations will be called upon to help each other and all those dealing with disaster.
Another piece of the SWC Disaster Ministries is supporting and helping to network church safety and security among our congregations. I have had the opportunity to visit and speak with congregations throughout the conference and have been compiling a list of our “best practices”. Additionally, I have received FEMA Train the Trainer Certification to train congregation leaders, staff and congregants to prepare for or respond to active shooter incidents. Successful participants in the training (yes there is an end of course test) will receive a FEMA certificate of completion. Please refer to the Church Preparedness and Safety section of our page for more information.
How You Can Help
Below is a summary of the ways you can help. Click on the links for more information.
DONATE MONEY [Link]
The response and rebuilding will be long term. Your generous contribution now makes this long-term response possible and get help quickly to where it's most needed. UCC churches are taking special offerings and holding fundraising events to raise cash for Harvey recovery.
From the Southwest Conference Office: We will list gifts sent to the conference by congregations which have been designated "Harvey" on congregational giving statements the same way we designate the 7 for 7 special offerings. These contributions will be forwarded to the UCC Disaster Ministries for Harvey relief effort. Individuals are encouraged to donate to the Harvey relief effort through their local congregation.
VOLUNTEER [Link]
Sign up to receive word as soon as work sites open in Harvey-affected areas. The UCC will be a strong presence on the ground in the areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey in the months and years to come. In the meantime, why not send a work team to help Hurricane Matthew survivors in Volusia County, FL, or flood survivors near Baton Rouge, LA?
DONATE EMERGENCY CLEAN-UP BUCKETS AND HYGIENE KITS [Link]
UCC Disaster Ministries has $250 matching grants available to UCC congregations that assemble CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets, basic supplies to help Harvey survivors return home. Download this form [PDF] and learn where to send funds for kits, or take it with you to the store to pick up supplies to make your own.
PUBLIC WITNESS STATEMENT FROM UCC NATIONAL OFFICERS [Link]
Getting it Right: Responding to Hurricane Harvey
THIS IS A TEACHABLE MOMENT ON DISASTER PREPAREDNESS [Link]
Harvey and subsequent hurricanes have raised people's awareness of the importance of preparing our families, congregations and communities for disaster.
UCC Disaster Ministries published this new, free Disaster Preparedness Guide.
PRAY [Link]
Here are some liturgical resources developed for use after a disaster.
Monthly Update
In Puerto Rico, a series of powerful earthquakes have killed one person, injured several, unleashed small landslides and caused homes and other buildings to crack and crumble. The earthquakes and aftershocks have taken out power across most of the island, also leaving hundreds of thousands without water.
Disaster Ministries is issuing an emergency appeal to continue to assist the people of the island. Goal: $250,000. Click here to donate.
UCC Disaster Ministries and the IEUPR have been collaborating on a multifaceted Hurricane Maria recovery program, including restoring homes (in particular, roofs). UCC Disaster Ministries is also supporting work to strengthen Ryder Memorial Hospital, sponsoring trauma recovery and disaster preparedness workshops, and renovating space for a Mission Center serving vulnerable survivors' recovery. Click here for details.
Message from our Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and Global Ministries Co-Executive, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson:
In the past weeks we have seen the fires raging in Australia and the damages caused by the earthquakes in Puerto Rico. The UCC issued an appeal for Puerto Rico . Given the limited resources of the country and the lack of support from the US government, the island will need outside assistance for recovery. We will partner with Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Puerto Rico on these efforts as we have done with Hurricane Maria. We sent $20,000 to assist with providing food, shelter and hygiene kits as well as other supplies for those displaced from their homes.
We have received inquiries about Australia and support for the fires. Here too we see tremendous loss. We have no partners in Australia and Australia is a country with resources. However, while we will not issue an appeal, we will respond through the international community when the opportunity arises.
We are also sending support to assist with the earthquakes and typhoon in the Philippines. While on a small scale, these disasters have caused challenges for the Philippines.
Please direct any questions regarding international disaster response to Karen Georgia Thompson at thompsonk@ucc.org
We ask your continued prayers for affected communities in these and other places affected by disasters.
Disaster Preparedness for Churches and Families
Is your church prepared to withstand a natural disaster and to help your congregation and community in the aftermath? Do you want to be prepared but don’t know where to start? We have a variety of resources to help your church and families to be prepared for natural disasters and to better react when they do happen.
Church Safety & Security
In churches across the county (and world) the safety and security of congregants, staff and the facilities has become a significant concern. One could say that part of our “Extravagant Welcome” should now include implementing plans to help prevent and react to threats that can compromise the safety and well-being of church members, staff and guests.
Click here for resources that may be helpful to your congregation.
Work Team Opportunities
There are currently work team opportunities in Puerto Rico, Florida, and California.
Best Practices from Other Churches
[Coming soon]
Visit the UCC Disaster Ministries Site [Link]
By the Numbers:
Category 4 hurricane at landfall (first since 2004)
130 mph winds
8 million people within area of impact
786,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders
Nearly 200,000 without power
More than 50 inches of rain in some areas and it's still raining
42,000 currently in shelters as evacuations, search and rescue continue
500,000 homes estimated to be affected
250,000 FEMA registrations so far; expecting 882,000
Media reporting up to 30 storm-related fatalities
73 oil/HAZMAT incidents reported
REV.2017.11.17