Sinkford's Message in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

[Green Gaia]

http://www.uua.org/president/050830_katrina.html

The Rev. William G. Sinkford's Message in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

(Boston, August 30, 2005)

The assault of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast reminds us once again of the awesome power of natural forces. Like so many others, I was shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life and the massive devastation left in the wake of the hurricane. My prayers go out to those grieving for lost loved ones, and my hopes are with the thousands who face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives and communities. I am especially mindful that those unable to evacuate from the affected areas, the poor and the elderly, have suffered disproportionately from the ferocity of this hurricane.

I know that many of you share my concern and are eager to find a way to help, so I hope that Unitarian Universalists will consider contributing to the Red Cross External Site, which is already providing aid to families and individuals. We are in communication with the UUA's district offices and ministers in the areas battered by the hurricane to gather information about the needs of UU congregations there. Later this week we will provide information on how you can contribute to a relief fund for the UU churches damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

May this sorrowful event be an opportunity for us to exercise our compassion and provide what comfort we can.

In faith,
Bill Sinkford

 

[michel]

Amen to that.

 

[Davidium]

Just a hundred miles further west or so, and the victims of this hurricane would include our UU Church in Galveston, our wonderful little island, and me.

And so, we have to help.

Just by coincidence, our service this Sunday is a memorial of the "Great Storm" of 1900, which devestated Galveston Island 105 years ago next week. It is being presented by one of our members, who had done extensive research into the storm.

If Katrina had come here, we would have had a repeat of that storm. As such, there is an insititutional understanding of such storms on this island... almost a racial memory. It even affects those of us who move here.

We will be doing a special collection during our service this week for the victims of Katrinia. I would ask that all UU churches do the same.

YoUUrs in Faith,

David Pyle
Galveston Island, TX
www.uugalveston.org
http://www.1900storm.com/
www.redcross.org
www.uusc.org

 

[Green Gaia]

Message Updated. Click here for details: UUA Establishes Gulf Coast Relief Fund

 

[Davidium]

Here is Pres. Bill Sinkford's message on Hurricane Katrina (Please share the below message among UU sources, and even outside the UUA)


The Rev. William G. Sinkford's Message in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
(Boston, August 30, 2005)

The assault of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast reminds us once again of the awesome power of natural forces. Like so many others, I was shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life and the massive devastation left in the wake of the hurricane. My prayers go out to those grieving for lost loved ones, and my hopes are with the thousands who face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives and communities. I am especially mindful that those unable to evacuate from the affected areas, the poor and the elderly, have suffered disproportionately from the ferocity of this hurricane.

I know that many of you share my concern and are eager to find a way to help, so I hope that Unitarian Universalists will consider contributing to the Red Cross , which is already providing aid to families and individuals. We are in communication with the UUA's district offices and ministers in the areas battered by the hurricane to gather information about the needs of UU congregations there. Later this week we will provide information on how you can contribute to a relief fund for the UU churches damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

May this sorrowful event be an opportunity for us to exercise our compassion and provide what comfort we can.

In faith,
Bill Sinkford



We need to help.

The UUA has set up the UUA Gulf Coast Relief Fund, to benefit all victims of Hurricane Katrina, including our fellow UU's who have lost their homes and jobs... and loved ones.

In our case in Galveston, TX, if the hurricane had been just a hundred miles further west or so, the victims of this hurricane would include us.

And so, we have to help.

Just by coincidence, our service in Galveston this Sunday is a memorial of the "Great Storm" of 1900, which devestated Galveston Island 105 years ago next week. It is being presented by one of our members, who had done extensive research into the storm.

If Katrina had come here, we would have had a repeat of that storm. As such, there is an insititutional understanding of such storms on this island... almost a racial memory. It even affects those of us who move here.

We will be going to have a special collection during our service this week for the victims of Katrinia. I would ask that all UU churches do the same.

So, please contact your Board Presidents, Worship coordinators, and Ministers to ask them to include a moment of reverence and rememberence for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, as well as a special collection to benefit the UUA's Gulf Coast Relief Fund.

To learn more about the Gulf Coast Relief Fund:
http://www.uua.org/president/050830_katrina.html

To donate to the Gulf Coast Relief Fund:
http://www.uua.org/news/2005/050831_katrina/donate.html

YoUUrs in Faith,

David Pyle
Fellowship Administrator
UU Fellowship of Galveston County
www.uugalveston.org
http://www.1900storm.com/
www.uusc.org

 

[Green Gaia]

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. 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

 

[Davidium]

Hey all,

I'm going to be absent a bit over the next few weeks, as I have been mobilized to help run a Red Cross Disaster relief shelter here on Galveston Island.

What I have seen over the past few days is mind-boggling. The damage to spirits, the loss of life, the stories of families separated are unfathomable. I will talk about that more later.

If there is something important, email me. [email protected] .

I encourage you all to find some way to contribute, even if it is just ten dollars to the American Red Cross....

YoUUrs in Faith,

David

 

[Nozem]

I was horrified to see the pictures from New Orleans this evening. I live in Hove, on the South Coast of England, and wish to express my complete sympathy to all those who are suffering in the wake of this catastrophe. My best thoughts are with you.