prepare, connect, respond disaster ministry in the congregation
TRANSCRIPT
PREPARE, CONNECT,
RESPOND
DISASTER MINISTRY IN THE CONGREGATION
Power outage of Superstorm Sandy from Space
DISASTER RESPONSE
A disaster response has:
A beginning(first response)
A middle (Short and long term recovery)
And an end(An exit strategy or closure)
DISASTER PLANNING
PREPARATION FOR DISASTER
Assess
Plan
Organize
Educate
Drill
ASSESSWhat kinds of disasters are likely here?
• Tornadoes• Hurricanes• Flooding• Church fires• Create a list of all kinds possible in area?
Congregational Assessment –
• Do we have a plan?• Do our families have a plan - ARC
PLAN
What interest do we really have?
Set up a small task force or committee
What resources are available to us?
Funds, time and space
How do we become disaster ready?Assess risks, mitigate, develop a plan, test the
plan
6 Steps to PrepareCongregation Disaster Response Plan
1. Create a small task force or committee (5- 7 people)
2. Determine status of any Disaster plans
3. Create draft of Disaster Response Plan
4. Gain Session input and approval.
5. Share plan and educate Congregation
6. Review annually and update
6 Steps to Plan
1. Create a small task force or committee
(5- 7 people)
Passionate advocate, Communicator, Detail
follow-up
Gain consensus on process for creating plan
6 Steps to Plan
2. Determine status of any Disaster plans
Any prior plans for church
Any community plans to consider
Other nearby church plans
6 Steps to Plan
3. Create draft of Disaster Response Plan
Use Blank worksheet from Hands-On-Mission.org
website
Get feedback for Session and Deacons
6 Steps to Plan
4. Gain Session approval
Present draft for approval
Make final additions and corrections
Have final draft approved by end of March
6 Steps to Plan
5. Share plan and educate Congregation
Present at congregation meeting
Maintain in digital form
Send copy to Presbytery of Detroit
Share copy with local community disaster authorities
6 Steps to Plan
6.Review annually and update
Beginning of each year review plan to see if any new information should be included
Complete change process if any significant changes made
Share revised plan with Presbytery of Detroit
PLAN PREPARATION RESOURCES
Congregational Preparedness Questions
Prepared by Rev. John Robinson
Review Howell Convention and Nature Center Plan
See sample church plans online at
hands-on-mission.org/disaster
ORGANIZE
• Recruit people who will carry through on tasks
• Review roles and responsibilities
• Meet regularly with one another and with Emergency Response officials from the community
EDUCATE
Promote awareness of disaster risks in the congregation
• Church newsletters and website• Sunday bulletin & Minute for Mission• Sunday School Classes• Youth and children can help with promotion• Session
Provide families with ARC disaster preparedness information about preparing for disaster
CONNECTPresbytery of Detroit
• Complete Disaster Preparedness plan by March 31st
• Give digital copy to Hands-On-Mission Work Group
Local Emergency Preparedness organization
State - MIVOAD
Other churches in proximity Methodists – UMCOR Baptists – Southern Baptist Men Lutherans – LDR Salvation Army – SADS
Ministerial Associations
WHO TO CONTACTPresbytery of Detroit
• For questions on the process there are 8 PDA/Synod trained people in our Presbytery
• To contact them request through Mary Lloyd at hands-on-mission.org or call them personally
• PDA National Leadership Team members are Ben Pawley and Joan Ott (They are national trainers for disaster assistance)
• Pastors are Kelly Shriver and Evan McGowan• Tom Duffield, Julie Smith from Pontiac FPC• Tom Neal and Mary Lloyd from Hands-On Mission
Website: hands-on-mission.org