Disciples Home Missions (DHM), Week of Compassion, and the National
Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),
are collaborating with the Church of the Brethren Children’s Disaster
Services (CDS) to create a new position and initiative that will help
meet the needs of children affected by disaster.
A new memorandum of understanding outlines this partnership,
providing the framework for a three-year focus on expanding CDS in the
Gulf Coast region. Funding provided by the Disciples Home Mission, the
National Benevolent Association, and Week of Compassion will develop a
new role of a Gulf Coast coordinator. This individual will support the
developing and training of a larger network of volunteers in
Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana. By engaging the strength
and networks of the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ congregations
and their significant children’s ministries, the organizers see great
potential to better meet the needs of children in this disaster-prone
area.
Collaboration enlarges volunteer pool
The partnership includes the training of interested church members
and others in the region as CDS volunteers, and for leadership roles
supporting volunteer coordination and volunteer training. A primary goal
is to train 250 potential volunteers in the next 3 years. After
completing a certification process including a criminal record check,
these volunteers will provide direct care to children in shelters and
service centers after a disaster. The volunteers will be organized into
rapid response teams to be the first caregivers responding after a
disaster in their region. These volunteers also will be called to serve
larger disasters outside of the region.
“The Church of the Brethren is excited for this expanding partnership
between the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ and Children's
Disaster Services,” said Stanley J. Noffsinger, general secretary of the
Church of the Brethren. “For several years our two churches have been
in conversations on how to work together as peacemakers. I can think of
no better way than for our volunteers to join their gifts and talents in
providing a caring service ministry for children affected by disaster.
It is a ministry that seeks to reconcile the lives of some of the most
vulnerable victims after disaster.”
“For years, Disciples of Christ members have been volunteering with
CDS,” commented Roy Winter, associate executive director of Brethren
Disaster Ministries and Global Mission and Service. “At this critical
time in the history of CDS, this partnership helps grow the program
beyond the capacity of one denomination. Together we can expand this
ministry in critical disaster-prone areas to better meet the needs of
children and families impacted by disasters.”
“Children have unique needs following disaster,” explained CDS
associate director Kathy Fry-Miller. “They feel the chaos and stress of
the disaster and need opportunities to express their feelings and their
experiences through play. Our dedicated leaders and volunteers are well
trained to provide the nurturing adult presence and open-ended play
experiences that support the healing process for children. This
partnership will allow us to expand our program in areas of high need.”
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) leaders comment
“As Disciples, we are a movement for wholeness, God’s wholeness,”
said general minister and president for the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ), Sharon Watkins. “We respond in times of human need and
disaster, for we recognize our connectedness to one another. This
partnership is truly part of our call to be a faithful witness.”
Brandon Gilvin, associate director of Week of Compassion, said, “As
part of our ministry as the Disaster, Development, and Refugee Fund of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Week of Compassion looks for
partners in our denominational and ecumenical families to respond to
critical needs in the wake of disasters. The partnership between
Disciples Volunteering, DHM's Children and Family Ministries, the
National Benevolent Association (NBA), and Children's Disaster Services
will provide a new avenue for volunteers to show the love of Christ to
children impacted by tornados, floods, and other devastating events.”
“Disciples Volunteering is thrilled to share in this endeavor,
partnering with ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
and Church of the Brethren in response to the needs of children, who
are among the most vulnerable following disaster,” reflected Josh Baird,
director of Disciples Volunteering at Disciples Home Missions (DHM).
“Together, we look forward to expanding and enhancing the critical work
of Children's Disaster Services while equipping Disciples to offer their
gifts in service to their neighbors.”
Disciples Home Missions’ Olivia Updegrove also reflected on her
excitement about the emerging partnership: “The love for children and
the need to care for our children at all times and in all situations
flows from us as compassionate, faithful people. The Family and
Children’s ministry team stands in an ecumenical relationship of both
Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ. This relationship opens
doors for more people and congregations to be prepared to respond when
disaster strikes, and Gods love is not found in a name or title, but in a
response to heal the soul.”
The collective endeavor of Disciples ministries and the Church of the
Brethren supports the work of creating communities of compassion and
care, a primary commitment of the ministries of the National Benevolent
Association. Mark D. Anderson, president and CEO, said, “This new
collaborative partnership creates some significant connections among
Disciples congregations and also Disciples-related health and social
service agencies, especially those serving families and children. The
partnership provides more opportunities for faithful Disciples to be
trained and equipped to respond in times of crisis as well as to
resource agencies who provide care to children each day. We are eager to
nurture these increased opportunities for compassionate care.”
Regional coordinator to be sought
The regional coordinator role is key for the success of the
initiative. This part-time paid position will network with potential
partners, engage congregations, and help facilitate new volunteer
workshops, and must live in a Gulf Coast state. Details will be released
soon about this new position. For more information about the regional
coordinator position, or if you or your congregation would like to know
more about Children’s Disaster Services or be trained in rapid response
volunteer leadership, contact CDS associate director Kathy Fry-Miller at
410-635-8734 or
kfry-miller@brethren.org.
About Children's Disaster Services: Since 1980, CDS has been meeting
the needs of children by setting up child care centers in shelters and
disaster assistance centers across the nation. Specially trained
volunteers arrive with a “Kit of Comfort” with carefully selected toys
that promote imaginative play and support the healing process. To learn
more, visit
www.childrensdisasterservices.org.
About Disciples Home Missions: Disciples Home Missions is committed
to equipping disciples for Christ and connecting people to the
life-changing love of God. Disciples Home Missions is the enabling and
coordinating division of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of
the US and Canada in the areas of congregational program and mission in
North America. To learn more, visit
www.discipleshomemissions.org.
About the National Benevolent Association: Serving as the health and
social services general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), the NBA partners with local congregations, regional and general
ministries, and a variety of Disciples-related health and social
service providers. The NBA incubates new and emerging Disciples-related
health and social service ministries, initiates ministry programs
designed to establish and grow partnerships around health and social
service ministries, and connects direct care providers, emerging social
service ministries, local congregations, and mission partners so that
all may learn, collaborate, and grow stronger together. To learn more,
visit
www.ncares.org.
About Week of Compassion: Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee,
and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) in the United States and Canada, seeking to equip and empower
disciples to alleviate the suffering of others through disaster
response, humanitarian aid, sustainable development, and the promotion
of mission opportunities. To learn more, visit
www.weekofcompassion.org.
-- This release was provided with help from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Source: 5/13/2014 Newsline
