Disaster Readiness and Recovery Committee Meeting:
Would you consider yourself, particularly gifted in navigating challenging, situations and times or would you like to be a part of the team of people who develop how to respond during those times? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
The Disaster Readiness and Recovery Committee will be instrumental in the design and implementation of a plan that will ensure the safety, well-being, and effective response of the churches within the Southwest Conference encompassing Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso, TX.
Please reach out to Rev. Dr. JJ Flag at ACM-SCT@uccswc.org if you have interest in being a part of this very important work.
Read Moreby Donna Jackson | published on May 28, 2024
Get ready to batten down the hatches. Research indicates that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1, could be a doozy thanks to La Niña and increasingly warmer ocean temperatures.
With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, which runs to Nov. 30, the United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries encourages congregations to have in place disaster preparedness policies, which include knowing who their Conference Disaster Response Coordinators are. (You can view the CDRC directory here.)
Formerly known as Conference Disaster Coordinators (CDCs), the recent addition of “response” to the name illustrates a renewed focus on better equipping, educating and connecting emergency volunteers and congregations to the resources available in a time of crisis.
“We don’t coordinate disasters. We coordinate the conference’s disaster response,” said Kevin Gehres, CDRC for the Columbus, Ohio-based Heartland Conference.
read the full article on the UCC website
Read MoreNews from Global H.O.P.E. - a Ministry Team of the United Church of Christ's Wider Church Ministries
This issue:
New 2023 Immigrant Welcoming Congregations Toolkit
UCC Hiring Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery
Refugee and Migration Services extends abundant gratitude to churches that create community ESL programs.
The power of coming together: Collaboration was the theme at National VOAD Conference
Looking for a 2023 Volunteer Work Trip?
Disaster Ministries Invites all Conferences and Congregations to join the Willing to Respond Network Today!
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference United Church of Christ joyfully announces the appointments of Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith and Rev. Tom Davis as Conference Co-coordinators for Disaster Ministry.
Read MorePhil Shea has stepped down from his role as the SWC Disaster Services Coordinator. We want to acknowledge that Phil did an outstanding job connecting our congregations to ALICE training and security assessments during a stressful shift in the safety and security landscape of local churches. Best wishes, Phil!
Read MoreOn April 12, FEMA will officially begin accepting applications for funeral assistance for deaths that occurred as a result of COVID-19. The assistance will be offered similarly with normal funeral assistance claims following a natural disaster.
Read MoreOn the evening of Friday, February 28, the United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries released a Coronavirus advisory. Bill has put together more resources in this brief article.
Read MoreFrom Phil Shea, SWC UCC Disaster Ministries Coordinator
We are beginning to receive requests for volunteers to help recovery efforts following the hurricanes and wildfires. Expect more requests to come. For now there is a Disaster and Refugee job opportunity with the UCC and a request for volunteers in Texas. As always, please contact me if I can help you navigate your response.
Read MoreFrom Phil Shea, Conference Disaster Coordinator, Southwest Conference
Greetings fellow members of our SWC UCC Congregations,
It is a challenge to keep you posted about multiple disasters without overwhelming you.
Read MoreFrom Phil Shea, SWC Disaster Ministry:
A lot is happening at UCC Disaster Ministries domestically and globally. We would truly like to connect with you and your congregation regarding all you are doing and how you are responding as individuals and congregations. Read below the latest update from our Disaster Ministries Executive. In addition to your financial support and efforts to build kits, I would be most happy to help build volunteer teams now and into the future. What a great experience it would be if we had people from our churches joining together on teams to rebuild our neighbors' communities and at the same time share our experiences and stories from our varied congregations.
Read MoreThe UCC Disaster Ministries and SWC Conference Disaster Ministries stand ready to support and assist your congregations and your communities in time of disaster. Because of the many first responders and agencies already equipped to assist with initial disaster relief, UCC/SWC Disaster Ministries helps congregations connect with those resources, but, focuses on assisting with the needs of long-term recovery.
Read More
