Willing to Respond

networking for disaster preparedness

A few weeks into the new year and winter weather has already left its mark. Being ready for what comes (in any season!) is more important than ever, as the increasing effects of climate change impact everything around us. WILLING TO RESPOND is Week of Compassion’s way to network congregations for disaster preparedness and response.

Recently, through the Willing to Respond network, Week of Compassion connected two Disciples churches, rooted in quite different settings, about their need for and interest in a Congregational Preparedness Plan. These churches are finding new relationship and support in their common concern.

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First Christian Church in Berea, Kentucky, has been involved in a process of preparedness since early 2023. The congregation put together a team, invited Week of Compassion to do a virtual training, and completed the Asset Inventory Survey. One team member is a very seasoned leader who fearlessly met with her local emergency management office and reached out to congregations near her church with various levels of response and interest. This team can share their personal experience leading this charge, and their observations and tips for working within their congregation.  
 
Heart of the Rockies Christian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a strong congregation with a wide variety of ministries, including recently breaking ground for a project to include affordable housing on the church’s property. They have been both a Week of Compassion contributor and a recipient of response funds following wildfire and hailstorm disasters. Last summer, they held an Individual Preparedness series for their members, and have increased interest in congregational preparedness, and are considering a team of their own. 

Congregational preparedness is do-able for a small rural church in Kentucky, a large congregation in Colorado, and all kinds of communities in between. Week of Compassion sees possibilities for congregations continuing to mentor and encourage each other, and is available to support the unique route towards congregational preparedness for each congregation – whether resourcing leaders, helping groups get ‘unstuck’ by offering a path forward, or connecting them to other like-minded Disciples who can mentor and encourage them in their preparedness journey. 

Learn more about preparedness, Willing to Respond, and join the network here.