The Disaster We’re Living In

Rev. Don Miller

KO Disaster Coordinator

Most of us have discovered over the past year that it is never too late to learn something new. Like other Conference pastors, I’ve learned to do worship and pastoral care in ways I was never taught in seminary or learned through nearly fifty years of parish ministry. Online worship, pastoral care by email, messenger and telephone is now the norm. While some may wonder what pastors are doing with their extra time, the reality is that they are spending significantly more time finding their way through this COVID-19 maze! A recent study found that clergy are experiencing mental health issues at double the rate of the general public because of their exposure to the secondary trauma of COVID-19.

I have recently retired (again) as an Interim Pastor but I continue to serve as KO’s Coordinator of Disaster Ministries. Disaster Ministries helps local churches focus on disaster preparedness and long-term recovery. Because of COVID, long-term recovery efforts are currently limited until it’s brought under control.

It’s been almost a year since everything changed in our lives because of COVID. Family members, friends and Church staff have become ill. Some of them never recovered! Church buildings were closed – then some reopened, only to shut down again. Congregations and clergy have struggled to figure out how to do safe and meaningful worship, maintain vital local ministry and mission efforts, while being safe. And amid all of this, we’re challenged to remain connected to each other, as strong, caring faith communities.

And now, even as we begin to line up for vaccinations, health experts are warning us not to let our guards down. We still need to be vigilant in the days ahead. This is not what we want to hear! It recently occurred to me that we are living during the greatest world disaster of the last century. When I shared this thought in a recent Conference Disaster Coordinators meeting, there was agreement. One member likened it to a hurricane that never comes to an end. While it’s important to think ahead about disaster preparedness, it’s more important than ever that we recognize and focus on the disaster we are living in, and how we can best help one another.

In the future, I’ll share thoughts and ideas about how to prepare for future disasters. But for now, we need to concentrate on the disaster we are living in. If you need help finding your way through this maze of COVID-19 challenges, I invite you to reach out. Here’s one place to start. The United Church News has links to a variety of resources you may find helpful.

Check it out: Wichita UCC has created a page for disaster relief. Take a look, and include one of these organizations in your giving. This is a great model for how churches can use their websites to share information in the midst of crisis.

Also, see “UCC Issues Appeal in Response to Winter Storms.”