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 CONTACT US page for contact information.

For the UUTRM,

Rev. Kate Bortner
Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt
Rev. Dr. Susan Suchocki Brown
Rev. Dr. Jan Carlsson-Bull Sr.
Rosemary Chinnici
Rev. Joel Miller
Rev. Danita Noland
Rev. Aaron Payson
Rev. Lisa Presley

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The Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry Statement on Hurricane Katrina