September is National Preparedness Month
written by the Revs. Kelly Hansen & Laura Woods
Hello from your KO Conference Disaster Coordinators Laura Woods and Kelly Hansen. September is National Preparedness Month and the 2022 theme is “A Lasting Legacy: The life you’ve built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family.”
Several sites offer resources for making a plan for yourself and for your church community. Details might include preparing your home or building, making lists of necessary items like medications or pet supplies, securing important documents and emergency contact numbers.
Lesli Remaly is the National UCC’s Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery. She’s a great resource and always willing to provide information and resources that your congregation can access.
Your conference Disaster Coordinators (that’s us!) would love to talk to you and your congregation about how we can support your efforts to be prepared for an emergency or how you can be more involved in the many opportunities within disaster ministry. Stop by and see us at annual conference in October.
Here are some additional resources that might be helpful as you consider your disaster planning this month.
https://www.ready.gov/september#theme
https://www.ucc.org/category/disaster-updates/
https://www.ucc.org/disaster_index/disaster_resources/
https://www.willingtorespond.org/resources
https://oklahoma.gov/oem.html
McPherson UCC receives disaster preparedness grant
The United Church of Christ is pleased to award First Congregational Church, UCC in McPherson, KS with a $250 matching grant for your fundraising efforts and commitment to assemble the following kits, to be distributed by Church World Service (CWS):
40 School Kits. These School kits give children in impoverished schools, refugee camps, or other difficult settings some of the basic tools for learning.
40 Hygiene Kits. These Hygiene kits mean the difference between sickness and health for struggling families facing natural disasters.
Thank you, First Congregational in McPherson for the work you are doing!