DISASTER RESPONSE

Our prayers are with all those affected by the recent devastating hurricane in Jamaica, where Naperville pastor Dennis Webb has numerous friends and family members. Dennis provided an update on the situation there at district conference, followed by a time of prayer. Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM) has been made aware of the needs there and local efforts. We encourage you to watch for opportunities to help through BDM, including designated gifts to the Emergency Disaster Fund, and to support any local recovery efforts and those connecting with the various international agencies that are responding. 

Brethren Disaster Ministries is continuing work this year at a rebuilding site in Letcher County, Ky., with new builds and repairs of homes damaged during the July 2022 flooding event. Illinois/Wisconsin is scheduled to assist with a team in Letcher County Dec. 7-13. A second project site is expected to open later this year. In 2026, our district’s volunteer week will shift to the summer, late August/early September. 

For those interested in volunteering with Children’s Disaster Services, two trainings are available in spring 2026: Feb. 20-21 in Beaufort, S.C., and Feb. 27-28 in Glendale, Ariz. Registration, including all meals, curriculum, and overnight is $55 for early bird, and $65 if sent less than three weeks before the event. Participants in the 25-hour training, which includes a simulated shelter experience, learn to provide comfort and encouragement to children by offering the healing young children need in traumatic situations. Learn more and register at https://www.brethren.org/cds/training/.

Brethren Disaster Ministries, including Children’s Disaster Services, the Rebuilding Program and Global Response, is undergoing a program review that includes a survey, stakeholder group meetings, interviews with program volunteers, and discussions with church leaders. Input is needed from anyone who engages with Brethren Disaster Ministries or the Church of the Brethren on any level. The goals of the review include program improvements, increasing the number of program volunteers, improving the volunteer experience, exploring other initiatives that could enhance the Brethren Disaster Ministries, and bolstering the connection between volunteering and faith. The information gathered also will assist Brethren Disaster Ministries in writing a domestic program development grant proposal for the Lilly Foundation. As much feedback as possible is important for this information gathering and strategic look forward. Visit www.brethren.org/bdm/survey to complete the survey by Nov. 15. If you miss the survey deadline, you may email your thoughts to bdm@brethren.org.