Lamplight: Clergy Self-Care, Great Shakeout and More!

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Issue #45 | Advent 2016

A Note from the Team

Hi All,

Happy Advent!

We're grateful for all of you and all of the amazing work you put in to your communities. Thank you for your dedication and support towards disaster preparedness and response around the Church.

If you haven't already, take a moment to look at the Gifts for Life catalog. These gifts are a great way to share in Episcopal Relief & Development's work throughout the world.

Peace and blessings be with you this Advent season and into the new year.

In Peace,

Katie, Lura, Sara & Tamara

Self-Care for Clergy in a Disaster

After disasters, clergy often face secondary trauma, physical exhaustion and other challenges. One of the most powerful yet challenging tools for reducing and treating the symptoms of burnout are self-care practices. In our newest resource library piece, Canon John Thompson-Quartey candidly reflects on his experience and lessons learned with self-care while serving as Rector of an impacted congregation following Hurricane Sandy.

East Carolina Visit

Katie's propeller plane ride!

Katie Mears, Director of the US Disaster Program, recently traveled to the Diocese of East Carolina as they continue to respond to Hurricane Matthew. She says they have an impressively talented team, and her trip involved flying on a very small plane!

Episcopal Asset Map Updates

The new Episcopal Asset Map site is live!

The Episcopal Asset Map has a new look! We've heard your concerns and worked with church leaders around the country to redesign the site, enable mobile-responsiveness and make it a bit easier to navigate. Thank you so much for your feedback!

Take a moment to look around, update your pin and share your church's story. Visit
episcopalassetmap.org today and explore the wonderful ways we are living Christ's love in our communities!

Great ShakeOut!

Staff members from the Diocese of San Diego practice their tsunami escape route

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego participated in The Great ShakeOut on October 20th. During the drill, members of diocesan staff (including Bishop Mathes!) and the diocesan disaster team took a hike to learn their tsunami escape route. Their drill included a test of the diocesan emergency communication system. Learn more about The Great ShakeOut and plan your own earthquake drill here.

Around The Church:

Join "Ready to Serve": Sign up here to offer your services to your vulnerable neighbors after a disaster.

Projects supported by Episcopal Relief & Development in the US:

Disaster Response:

The Episcopal Church in South Carolina
The Episcopal Church in South Carolina is responding to needs after Hurricane Matthew through spiritual and emotional care, existing food pantry ministries and replacement of household goods.

Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina
After Hurricane Matthew caused widespread flooding in North Carolina, the Diocese of East Carolina is responding to needs through its Episcopal Farmworkers Ministry and through food, clothing and housing programs for people affected by the flooding.

Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
The Diocese of Southern Virginia is responding to needs in the Virginia Beach area after Hurricane Matthew caused widespread flooding.

Episcopal Diocese of Florida
The Diocese of Florida is responding to Hurricane Matthew by meeting unmet needs of residents, with particular focus on the most vulnerable and people experiencing homelessness in the northeast part of the state.

Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
The Diocese of Southern Virginia is responding to needs in Appomattox County after a February 2016 tornado damaged nearly 200 homes.

Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
In late July 2016, Ellicott City was hit with several inches of rain, closing more than 150 businesses and displacing more than 100 people. The Diocese is supporting volunteers and cleanup in the West End neighborhood.

Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia
After severe flooding in West Virginia killed 24 people, damaged more than 1,200 homes and left more than 18,000 without power across the state, the Diocese of West Virginia is responding to needs through temporary housing assistance and gift card ministries for those impacted.

Disaster Recovery:

Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan
The Diocese of Eastern Michigan is responding to the long-term effects of lead contamination in the water system in Flint by providing nutrient-rich foods that can help mitigate the effects of lead poisoning and cooking classes to teach residents how to best use these ingredients.

Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana
The Diocese of Louisiana is responding through emergency housing, gift card support and volunteer cleanup programs after severe flooding in August 2016 led to widespread evacuations and damaged many homes.

Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey
The Diocese of New Jersey is aiding vulnerable individuals and communities by providing direct assistance, partnering with various long-term recovery groups and working with parish-based programs following Hurricane Sandy.

Resources for Disaster Preparedness and Response:

Visit Episcopal Relief & Development's online Resource Library for numerous case studies and best practices in disaster response at the diocesan and congregational level.

Contact Us:

Katie Mears,
Program Director
kmears@episcopalrelief.org

Lura Steele,
Training Coordinator
lsteele@episcopalrelief.org

Sara Lowery,
Program Associate
slowery@episcopalrelief.org

Tamara Plummer,
Asset Map Coordinator
tplummer@episcopalrelief.org

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