A Ready Hope: Effective Disaster Ministry for Congregations
Kathryn M. Haueisen, Carol H. Flores
A Ready Hope is an initiation for people of faith who are new to the ministry of disaster preparedness and response. By disaster most people usually mean something that results in significant loss, destruction, hardship, and injury or death to the residents of an area. Authors Kathy Haueisen and Carol Flores have both personal and professional experience dealing with the disaster of the tropical storms and hurricanes that have roared through the Gulf Coast region in the past decade. Residents of Houston, Texas, they have worked closely with ecumenical faith-based and other nongovernmental networks, governmental groups, judicatory leaders, and congregations as they have assisted those affected by these circumstances. They share their experience to help congregations facing situations from large-scale disasters to less severe, local conditions.
A Ready Hope provides an overview of existing disaster-response networks, details the predictable phases of disaster recovery at both the individual and community level, lifts up helpful and unhelpful ways that congregational leaders and members can be involved in disaster response efforts, and prepares congregations to respond appropriately to a disaster in their community.
A variety of organizations bring help when disaster strikes. Faith-based organizations are uniquely equipped to also bring hope to the survivors of the disaster and to the rescue and relief workers who leave home to assist. This book will help people of faith prepare themselves to be part of God’s heart and hands when a disaster occurs.
Praise for the Book
“All clergy and their flocks would be wise to read this thoughtful guide and learn from the scenario posed—and act to prepare and make their community more resilient. When, not if, the next disaster strikes your community, will you be prepared to lead?” —Peter B. Gudaitis, Executive Director and CEO, New York Disaster Interfaith Services
“As Christians, our mission is not merely to dispense charity to those
in need, like the Good Samaritan on the Jericho road, but to remake
the road itself and fashion a just, civil society—what Dr. King famously
called ‘the beloved community.’ Herein we are offered a practical
and accessible guide to preparing to serve and rebuild.” —Robert W. Radtke, President, Episcopal Relief & Development
“Told entirely in case study format, Kathryn Haueisen and Carol Flores’s
A Ready Hope is a wonderful contribution to the field of practical ministry.
This is a book to read before you need it and one to have quickly available when disaster strikes. Tips for volunteers and up-to-date descriptions of the various disaster relief organizations make this a book for both pastors and laity.” —Jill Hudson, Coordinator, Governing Body Relations, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and author of Congregational Trauma
About the Authors
Kathryn M. Haueisen Cashen is a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, currently writing and coaching congregations doing capital campaigns. She is the editor of 40 Day Journey with Kathleen Norris and God in the Raging Waters by Bishop Paul Blom. She previously served four congregations in Ohio and Texas in addition to serving as Executive Director of a Texas outdoor ministry program.
Carol Flores is on staff with the Lutheran Social Services of the South Disaster Response team. Her current focus is long-term recovery work in the Houston area following hurricane Ike and coaching congregations on disaster preparedness and response issues.
ISBN# 978-1-56699-386-9
Alban No. AL386
paper
2009
In stock
$18.00
($14.40 for members)
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