STORIES
Kutupalong Refugee Camp, Bangladesh // photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance
Preparedness Month9/10/2024 when the plan turns into action September is National Preparedness Month and a good opportunity for congregations to consider ways to build or strengthen their capacity to better serve their communities during and after an emergency. In the work of disaster response, Week of Compassion sees firsthand what a difference it makes to a church – and to the whole community – when individuals, families, and communities of faith start the conversation, and take steps to be prepared. In July 2023, Week of Compassion led a workshop at General Assembly called “In this Together”, exploring the variety of community and congregational relationships that serve as the foundation for disaster preparedness and response. Among the many participants were two members of First Christian Church in Bellefontaine, Ohio. They learned about congregational asset mapping, and how to make the most of Week of Compassion’s guidance and resources in considering their church’s unique setting and needs. Participants started considering the variety of ways congregations could be part of serving their neighbors should a disaster come their way. These Assembly-goers returned home with the Congregational Guide for Disaster Preparedness, and the encouragement to become part of the Willing to Respond network.
Back in Bellefontaine, other church members joined them in working through the Guide, exploring Week of Compassion’s resources and signing up to connect with Willing to Respond. In early 2024, the team added a book study (When Helping Hurts) to deepen their conversations about establishing the church’s own disaster response plan, and preparing to be part of community responses when the time comes. But in the midst of their study and discernment – the time came. Six months ago, on the evening of March 14, multiple supercell thunderstorms developed and moved along the Ohio River Valley, producing seven confirmed tornadoes across a 145-mile stretch of western and central Ohio. Taking to heart the learnings from the Assembly workshop, and with their task force work and book study in mind, the church knew what they could and should do and how they would be most needed and effective. First Christian was not directly affected, but the community around them experienced significant devastation. While some members of the church were at first concerned that they weren’t doing more in immediate response to the tornadoes, the task force ably led the congregation in intentional steps to identify how they could best be of service to their neighboring community.  Dave Ramsey, First Christian’s board chair, shared, “We knew the community needed time to get through the immediate trauma, to let the dust settle and to refocus. We decided it would be more helpful for us to get ourselves together first. Over the summer, we have been working through the Congregational Guide steps toward a church preparedness plan.” The team has been creative with their assessments and responses, including making something close to a bingo game where participants called out their care needs and priorities and looked for others’ who matched! With such care-filled preparedness work in focus, the church knows that “Several months down the road, as the whole community recovers, we will be more prepared to bring our learnings and gifts to most effectively serve the greater good.” Rather than rushing in at the beginning – as is often our heartfelt instinct – First Christian knew there would be a long road of recovery ahead, and with what they’d learned from Week of Compassion, even ended up having members volunteer as case workers/case managers with the Long Term Recovery Group this summer! Now they are returning their focus to the preparedness plans, and have done some great work already engaging the congregation in assessing their risks and assets as a church. Week of Compassion is grateful for the thoughtful and compassionate work of Disciples in every Region, and for the ecumenical partnerships that continue to make long-term recovery a reality.
Long-term disaster recovery is a combined effort of local churches, ecumenical partners, and engaged leaders. Week of Compassion is hosting a DISASTER SITE LEADERSHIP TRAINING to prepare those interested and willing to lead groups of volunteers as they walk alongside communities in the U.S. recovering from disasters. Learn to support disaster recovery and become certified to lead on-site projects with Week of Compassion as a Volunteer Experience Leader or a Disaster Rebuild Leader. For more information about this unique opportunity – online October 9-10, and in-person November 6-10 (Mayfield KY, expenses paid) – complete the registration form to be added to the roster, or email us with any questions. Comments are closed.
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