Southwest Conference Disaster Response and Resilience Ministries & Safe and Secure Congregations
Changes in our environment and climate have created a greater need than ever for local churches to be prepared. Natural disasters are occurring with increasing frequency, and when they strike our communities, it is a natural response for the local church to step forward—helping our congregations serve one another and provide a much-needed ministry of care.
In addition to natural disasters, local churches are increasingly facing harassment, threats, and violence. These situations can put our congregations in harm's way and require thoughtful preparation as well.
The United Church of Christ and the Southwest Conference believe that responding to disaster—whether within a local congregation or the wider community—should be a core vitality ministry of the local church. Planning a faithful and effective ministerial and mission response to vulnerable members of the church and community takes a dedicated team committed to preparing well in advance.
A Workbook for Disaster Response: The Disaster Ministries of the United Church of Christ has created a new workbook to help local churches develop their response to natural disasters. You'll find a link to the workbook below.
A Customizable Safety and Security Manual: The Southwest Conference Disaster Response and Resilience Ministry is also preparing a workbook to help local churches develop their own customized Safety and Security Manual. This is a living document that explains the purpose of each section and offers vetted resources to help your security team shorten its preparation time.
Looking Ahead: Our hope is to move beyond supporting individual congregations and to build a conference-wide response network—one where local churches are equipped not only to prepare for their own needs, but to come to one another's aid in times of disaster and distress.
How You Can Help
Click on the links for more information.
DONATE MONEY [Link]
Your generous contribution now makes long-term response possible and get help quickly to where it's most needed. UCC churches take special offerings and holding fundraising events to raise cash for disaster recovery.
From the Southwest Conference Office: We will list gifts sent to the conference by congregations which have been designated for specific disasters on congregational giving statements the same way we designate the 7 for 7 special offerings. These contributions will be forwarded to the UCC Disaster Ministries for specific relief efforts. Individuals are encouraged to donate to the relief efforts through their local congregation.
VOLUNTEER [Link]
Your service as a UCC Disaster Recovery Volunteer helps people rebuild their physical homes and is an act of presence that demonstrates the commitment to walk beside people as they seek to rebuild their lives. Together, we can be the body of Christ in the world. UCC Disaster Ministries has arranged the following opportunities for mission groups to help homeowners in the intermediate and long-term recovery process. Serve as a group or as an individual for week-long periods.
DONATE EMERGENCY CLEAN-UP BUCKETS AND HYGIENE KITS [Link]
In an effort to support Church World Service in restocking these kits, UCC Disaster Ministries is offering matching grants of up to $250 per congregation on a first-come, first-serve basis to qualifying applicants. Following domestic and international disasters, the need to distribute specific material aid is often crucial to the recovery process. UCC Disaster Ministries, UCC Conferences and congregations support these efforts by assembling Church World Service Hygiene Kits, Kids Kits, Period Packs (Menstrual Hygiene Kits) and Clean Up Kits that are stored and can be shipped at a moment's notice.
Workbooks and Resources
UCC National Office Resources
UCC Disaster Preparedness guide for Local Churches: A Workbook
Additional Resources from the Insurance Board: This link will take you to a website with materials for property resources and people resources. In addition, the Insurance Board has prepared webinars for local church education.
Southwest Conference UCC Safety and Security Manual
Workbook: Click to view/download each section (it is currently a work in progress)
Introduction & Table of Contents
Initial Steps – A Safety and Security Team
Preparing Your Safety and Security Manual
Section One: Protection of People and Property
Local Church Assessment
Appendix A:
Faith-Based Community Self-Assessment User Guide
Houses of Worship Security Self-Assessment
Appendix B:
Adventist Risk Management Church Self-Inspection Form
Appendix C:
A Security Survey for Houses of Worship
Coming next...Church Response to I.C.E. Presence at the Church
REV.2026.07.20