Inclusivity in Disaster Ministry
All are invited to this introductory inclusivity workshop covering WISE training, Gender Identity 101, and conversation around expanding inclusion when responding to disaster.
April 3, 2023
2-3:30pm EST| 1-2:30pm CT| 12-1:30pm MT| 11-12:30 PT| 9-10:30 HT
This map indicates current disaster relief efforts conducted in partnership with various organizations and United Church of Christ churches and conferences.
Contact the Conference Disaster Co-Coordinators for the Southwest Conference, Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith (Arizona) and Rev. Tom Davis (New Mexico/El Paso) to learn more about opportunities to help.
Global H.O.P.E. congratulates Lesli Remaly on her retirement as Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery
Lesli Remaly joined the Global H.O.P.E. team in early 2021, bringing deep experience with the United Church of Christ and with disaster response. Lesli grew up in the UCC and began her working career serving in Christian Education in Florida. Her call into disaster recovery work began after a hurricane swept through her community; this led her from local to regional and then national response coordination, including with Church World Service and, later, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. When the Global H.O.P.E. team was being reconstituted in late 2020, the timing was perfect for Lesli to come full circle through one more vocational transition. In the newly revised role of Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery, Lesli worked quickly to connect with UCC Conference Disaster Coordinators, providing resources to increase capacities and to support the pursuit of their priorities. Together, they established working groups to increase collaboration, to connect with congregations, and to support emerging needs for community response. A natural connector, Lesli consistently worked to build relations and strengthen support with and between ecumenical and interfaith partners at the local, conference, and national levels, including through the birth of the Willing to Respond Network. Lesli also supported the re-birth of a UCC Emotional Spiritual Care team which, with resources through Global H.O.P.E., is now providing services to communities affected by trauma. And she convened a multi-organizational task force focused on human-caused environmental and technological disasters that has established the United Church of Christ among the leading agencies for this type of response.
The greatest gift Lesli brought to this ministry was her care for those who have experienced trauma and disaster. Her expertise in the mechanics, systems, and processes for disaster preparedness and recovery is grounded in this compassion for others, which drives her support for such systems - or her passion to transform them when they are not serving people as they could. The Global H.O.P.E. team is grateful to Lesli for her service, which will conclude at the end of April. While her presence, gifts, and spirit will be missed, we celebrate with Lesli this upcoming transition and wish her well on the exciting new adventures that lie ahead.
Global H.O.P.E. Position Opening: Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery
Lesli's departure leaves a vacancy on the team. Qualified candidates are sought, with an April 10 deadline to apply. More information and application are available online.
Young Adults, 2023 Leadership Immersion Opportunities
Help spread the word: UCC has new leadership immersion opportunities for young adults in 2023
Looking for a 2023 Volunteer Work Trip? UCC Ministry Opportunities has work trips available. Let us know if there are Volunteer Work Trips in your Conference we might add to this list!
Appeals to Support Neighbors
Your designated donation supports the on-going response and long-term recovery with those affected.
Syria Turkey earthquake
Russia's attack on Ukraine
Gifts to International Emergencies and Emergency USA allow the Church to be present in even more places, including with neighbors whose story may never receive a media spotlight.
About Global H.O.P.E.
Part of the UCC's Wider Church Ministries, the Global H.O.P.E. team brings into close synergy Disaster Ministries, Refugee and Migration Ministries, Volunteer Engagement and Sustainable Development.
Global H.O.P.E. distributes One Great Hour of Sharing offerings, stewarding gifts to OGHS and humanitarian appeals on behalf of the wider church. H.O.P.E. makes clear the team's vision: Humanitarian. Opportunities. Progress. Empowerment.
Staff:
Rev. Joshua Baird, Global H.O.P.E. Team Leader
Rev. Irene W. Hassan, Minister for Refugees and Migration
Rev. Craig Hoffman, Program Assistant
Lesli Remaly, Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery
(vacant), Minister for Volunteer Engagement