Suggestions for Congregations

Depending upon the magnitude of the event, getting congregational groups together may be more or less difficult. If there is opportunity, holding customary services—as well as a special service that allows congregation members to share their response to the disaster—are very important.

Take care of safety needs
Depending upon the severity of the disaster, some members and their homes may fare better than others. If possible without placing them in danger, mobilize a committee who can check on members. The most vulnerable members should be contacted first.

Crisis Intervention
Assessing capacity to live independently, evaluating suicide and dangerousness risk, giving reassurance, building hope, protocols for immediate response, procedures for consultation, referral, and follow-up should be started as quickly as possible.

Remember the caregivers
If you have family caregivers in your congregation, their tasks will be increased exponentially during a disaster. Caring for their loved one while attempting to cope with the inconveniences and emergencies of a disaster can be devastating.

Gather often as a community
A congregation is an important community. Congregation members who have suffered disaster will look to the church for support. Use whatever resources are accessible to check on members who are isolated or alone. Encourage them to come together and experience the sense of safety emanating from the group. When people do come together, provide a calm, reassuring, nonjudgmental atmosphere in which they can speak honestly and be heard.

Pray
Offer prayer as a means for people to connect and share the pain of the disaster with God and one another. Congregation members may need or request guidance from church leaders in the appropriate way to pray at this emotionally sensitive time.

Listen actively
Using nonverbal cues, giving minimal encouragements, conveying empathy, paraphrasing, reflecting feelings, summarizing, differentiating content, and feelings. Say things that encourage the person to keep talking: "Tell me more about that." "How do you feel about that?" "I can see this bothers you." "How can I help you resolve this?" Unfortunately, family members and friends are often poor listeners, not because they don't care, but because they want to make things better, to give advice, to solve the problem. Instead, follow these rules of good listening.

Question
Interviewing techniques, asking open and closed questions, focusing with questions, avoiding using questions to give advice or make judgments.

Provide support and encouragement
Establishing rapport, empowering the survivor, giving positive feedback about coping strengths, offering suggestions, avoiding communication blocks, and unhelpful phrases are important aspects of support.

Make asking for help acceptable
People who have a hard time working through a loss may brush off offers of assistance and persist in the fantasy that everything is fine. Offer help frequently, mentioning that others have received help, also.

Talk about righteous anger
As people grieve the losses that accompany disaster, anger is typically expressed. There is no better place than a church for the difficult question of "Why?" to be addressed.

Make specific plans
Healing rarely happens without planning and effort. Think about what you personally can do, what your congregation can do, what your congregational volunteers and other caregivers can do. Encourage people to do what they can, to care in ways they have been trained or gifted to help.

Plan special services
Gather for special worship services of healing and remembrance. Let people come in touch with their suffering and offer it to God. Invite people to look to God for help and hope—in the worshiping community, in word and sacrament, and in symbol and music.

Encourage members of the congregation to take care of themselves by:

• Getting a good night's sleep
• Eating healthy foods, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and junk foods
• Exercising, even if it is just taking a short walk every day
• Finding something enjoyable to do with family (particularly if there are small children) each day
• Taking a moment and do something by himself/herself that he/she finds relaxing each day
• Sharing time with friends
• Staying connected with the church community