�Welcome to
Caring for Each Other in Extreme Weather
As members of the Religious Society of Friends,
we witness to the truth of our times. In this moment, we recognize that we are facing an existential crisis that requires more than individual actions. We already face catastrophic fires, storms, droughts, crop failures, and floods.
Scientists tell us that what we do in the next decade will determine the fate of humanity. Racial injustice, social injustice, and the climate crisis are inextricably linked; marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities suffer greater effects of this crisis. Many people already suffer and call us to act. Future generations depend on us to act.
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Knowing the consequences of inaction, integrity demands that we act. On a fundamental level the Climate Crisis and our response to it is deeply linked to our testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship.
As people of faith, seekers of the truth, and stewards of Creation, we must act with urgency to prevent further suffering and destruction of our planet. We seek to energize everyone involved with PYM to actively undertake this leading and help halt the destruction of life on this sacred earth.
The world’s religions respond to climate change
The series: “Caring for Each Other in Times of Extreme Weather”��
Session 1: Why should we be concerned? Consider making a commitment to creating a disaster preparedness plan over the next 3-4 months.
Session 2 (March): Understanding the risks and impacts of extreme weather events AND an introduction to the cycle of disaster management and the goals of resilience.
Our agenda
Background on climate mitigation and adaptation and the disaster cycle
Why we matter and why having disaster plan matters
Review of the elements of a preparedness plan
The specifics of the 1st two tasks
Next steps - Our call to undertake a plan and how we can support each other
Nicaragua �Drought and Floods
BREAKOUT 1
PART ONE: DEVELOPING A PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Task #1: Team, Purpose, Vision and Goals
Task #2: Designate Members for Response Team
Task #3: Conduct a Disaster Risk Assessment
Task #4: Inventory Assets
Task #5: Assessing Vulnerabilities
Task #6: Identify Partners, Agreements and Resources
Task #7: Decision Making Process
Task #8: Create a Communication Plan
Task #9: Emergency Operations
Task #10: Continuity of Ministries
Task #11: Obtain Congregational Approval
Task #12: Educate, Practice and Review
How the series works
4 Virtual, recorded content focused sessions
Self guided completion of the planning tasks
Optional peer sessions
Closing session to share plans and consider any next steps
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Session 1: Introduction (Feb)
Session 2 (March): risks and impacts of extreme weather events AND an introduction to local disaster management and the goals of resilience.
Session 4 (May) An introduction to the risks and response strategies to flooding AND How to think about our buildings and facilities
Peer working sessions (optional)
Sessions 3 April
Session 5 June
Session 7 August
Come with questions, share what you have learned, move toward completion
March
Risks and impacts of extreme weather events on our health, households and institutions.
Introduction to the cycle of disaster management and the goals of resilience, community partners such as the Red Cross and VOAD, what happens at the local, state and federal govt level .
March
April
Task #5: Assessing Vulnerabilities
May
Risks and response strategies to flooding
Protecting our buildings and facilities – how to maintain and protect them to be resilient
May
June
Emotional and Spiritual Care
Worship in times of disaster
July
July
August
Review of our planning efforts and next steps
September
STRETCH BREAK
Target completion date: March 31, 2022�Task #1: Team, Focus, Vision and Goals ��A. Creating a planning team �
Who will coordinate this work?
It might be you!
What important roles should be represented?
Who comes to mind?
Members might include:
1. A nurse or other medical professional
2. First responder (paramedic, fire fighter, police officer)
3. Member of the property committee
4. Someone who understands the Meeting’s finances
5. Person engaged in ministries with children and elders
��B. Your vision and focus or purpose �
���What is the focus/purpose or the parameters of your work? ��What would your focus be?��
Those in the building at the time?
Your members/attenders?
The building and the objects in it?
Other programs and people in your buildings?
The families connected to your meeting through other programs in your building?
The neighborhood? Beyond?
C. Setting specific goals
What are your highest priorities? This will help you define your goals.�
Examples of goals:
Putting it together
Created, loved and blessed by God and called to be a blessing to others, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church seeks to protect human wellbeing and physical resources from harm and to work cooperatively to bring healing and hope in times of disaster within our community and beyond. To do so we have established the following goals:
BREAKOUT
���������Task #2: Designate Members for Response Team��
Reasons to create a response team�Imagine a natural disaster strikes the area of your house of worship . . .
Who are the people within the congregation who will most likely respond to the needs of the church building? How will they know to check on the building? How will they know what to do?
Who has access and knowledge of the essential workings of the church buildings: security codes, how to manage the utilities, combination to the safe, access to change the website or voicemail?
What if something happened to that person or people? How would church building functions return most quickly?
Where and how would a response team meet when a disaster in imminent or has occurred? What would be the back up location?
Typical roles for Response Teams
CHIEF DECISION MAKER AFTER DISASTER
BACKUP DECISION MAKER AFTER DISASTER
PARISH LEGAL COUNSEL
SPOKESPERSON TO THE MEDIA
INSURANCE LIAISON
Other roles?
BREAKOUT
NEXT SESSION:��SATURDAY��MARCH 19��1:30 pm to �3:00 pm�Virtual Meeting
Session 1: Check!
Session 2 (March):
Understanding the health risks and impacts of extreme weather events
with Dr. Richard Tolin
An introduction to disaster management and the goals of resilience.
With Julia Menzo from Liberty Lutheran, VOAD Chair
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DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION TO PREPARE FOR TASK 1
Who comes to mind as someone to be on a preparedness team for your congregation? Why? How will you approach them and connect the need for a preparedness plan with his or her unique gifts and experience?
What are possible goal statements for your congregation’s preparedness plan? How are those goals shaped by the regular ministry of the congregation as may be stated in the congregation’s vision or mission statement?
What are the best avenues for conversation and education in your community? How might you best educate and listen to the wisdom of the whole community about preparedness planning?