Emotional and Spiritual Care
Providing the spiritual care people facing disaster need.
Homes need rebuilding following a disaster. So do hearts. The United Church of Christ helps with both. The Emotional and Spiritual Care Team of the United Church of Christ is a group of dedicated volunteers that provide support for clergy, chaplains and other spiritual caregivers that are serving disaster affected communities. We recognize that our local churches and spiritual caregivers are journeying with their communities after disasters strike, and this team provides support by caring for the caregivers.
“Things are so unsettled. Even the things we were trained to do or that are among our rituals we cannot do, or they don’t work the same way. Instead of just plowing through, we have to also step back and take care of ourselves.”
– Rev. Karl Jones, Pennsylvania
Emotional and Spiritual Care Resources
The Emotional and Spiritual Care Team tailors the support they provide to fit the needs of the communities that have been impacted. Some recent examples of work that this team has completed include coverage for Sunday morning worship, providing worship recourses and liturgy, hosting online gatherings for clergy in disaster-affected communities, trauma retreats, workshops, one-on-one support, and other types of support depending on the needs of the community.
If your community has been affected by a disaster, and would like support from the Emotional and Spiritual Care Team, please contact Katie Howe, Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery at howek@ucc.org.
Resources for individuals and churches faced with the emotional, spiritual and mental health effects of disaster.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
National Disaster Distress Helpline
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
The Trevor Project – Providing 24/7 crisis care for LGBTQ+ young people. Crisis counselors are trained to answer calls, chats, or texts from LGBTQ+ young people who reach out on our free, confidential and secure 24/7 service when they are struggling with issues such as coming out, LGBTQ+ identity, depression, and suicide.
National Center for PTSD Toolkit for Pastors and Church Leaders
24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse. Contacts to The Hotline can expect highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages.
Videos for individuals to practice meditation and for churches to use in their congregations
Recovering Hope Meditation Video
UCC Community Care Space Meditation Videos
Questions?
Please contact Disaster Ministries at (disasters@ucc.org), team for Disaster Response and Recovery, for more information.
