The Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry Statement on Hurricane Katrina

Last year when 4 major hurricanes hit Florida and the Mid South the UU Trauma Response Ministry was on the spot offering help, and counsel.  I offer here the information about the UU Trauma Response Ministry and its preparations to respond to the crisis in aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Our congregations and the many refugees will need their expert help.

Who We Are:
UU Trauma Response Ministry is composed of Unitarian Universalist ministers, lay members of UU congregations and others who respect the vision and beliefs of Unitarian Universalism.  Trained in trauma response, these people desire to assist those involved in traumatic situations. This assistance may take the form of:

€¢ direct, on-site ministry at the trauma scene, whether national, or local;

€¢ crisis counseling for those who have experienced various levels of trauma;

€¢ hospitality and respite care for victims;

€¢ debriefing and other stress management skills;

€¢ administrative assistance, telephone answering, on-site greeters, office support;

€¢ pulpit supply for ministers engaged in trauma response.

Emergency Contact (toll free) 1-866-730-8181

The Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry Statement on Hurricane Katrina


The people of our nation once again find themselves in a time of trauma, this
time in the wake of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. Within our
religious movement, the Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry is
especially aware of the broad scope of such a disaster. The members of our
ministry offer our thoughts and prayers for the millions of people affected by the
devastation that has followed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Our volunteer
group of lay leaders and ministers, established in 2002, was begun to offer
spiritual and psycho/spiritual support to our congregations, their members, and
religious leaders in the aftermath of a disaster. When invited to do so, we
have also provided pre-education and preparation, and post event consultation for
methods of effective trauma response. All of us have had specific experience
and training in disaster response; if the UUTRM is asked to respond directly
to a disaster scene, our volunteers are coordinated by a team leader so that we
can provide safe and organized support. Our approach is unique: we are a
religious response team responding to the spiritual needs of those affected by
disaster.

As men and women who provide disaster spiritual care, we are acutely aware of
the several stages of a disaster and the difficulties they present for those
affected. We are living through the first stage right now, as local ministers
and district executives in the Southwest and Mid-South Districts assess the
damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Making such assessments include locating
survivors, taking inventory of property, taking stock of losses, and seeking
medical, psychological, and spiritual assistance.

Once the initial assessment is done, it becomes important to determine what
services need to be sought and delivered. Obviously, physical and safety needs
are the first priority. The Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency,
local fire departments and other emergency management teams are best equipped to
handle such needs. Finding safe housing, locating relatives, bringing back
dislocated persons and families, and providing food and water becomes the main
concerns at this stage. Here is where your financial donations can provide
immediate help, and we hope that you will join others in giving generously to
groups with a proven record of assistance in these circumstances.

Cleaning up the wreckage is a long term project. In the case of Hurricane
Katrina, the physical presence of others may be most valuable as that work
proceeds, but it is too soon to consider this stage. In the meantime, all of us can
continue to hold the affected communities in our prayerful thoughts; we can
donate money and/or supplies as we are able; for those of us prepared to offer
disaster-related services, we can make ourselves available, if our services are
requested.

Members of UUTRM were in communication with one another even before Hurricane
Katrina hit. We continue to be in touch with one another, with our colleagues
at the UUA, with the district executives of areas impacted by the hurricane
as well as some of the ministers of the affected churches. We will continue to
assess the appropriateness of onsite support by members of UUTRM, should our
services be requested.

In the meantime, we ask that each of you find time to think lovingly of those
who have died in this disaster. Let us pray for the safety of the rescue
workers, response teams, and care givers . Let us pray that the victims find
strength, support and compassionate care while they begin the long, slow process of
achieving a new normalcy. It is never possible to return to the way things
used to be in the wake of a disaster of this magnitude. Yet human beings have
been blessed with an amazing resiliency. The greatest gift we can offer, in
service to that resiliency, is our prayerful presence, our financial resources and
a willingness to be there if we are needed.

We welcome further inquiries about our work; please visit our website at
www.traumaministry.org .

For the UUTRM,

Rev. Danita Noland

Rev. Dr. Susan Suchocki Brown
Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt
Rev. Dr. Jan Carlsson-Bull
Rev. Joel Miller
Rev. Kate Bortner
Rev. Lisa Presley
Sr. Rosemary Chinnici
Rev. Aaron Payson