Ministry in Times of Disaster

Catalog description

Taught by SKSM. Class is co-taught by Rosemary Bray McNatt and Linda Ramsden. In times of communal crisis, people of faith are called to minister throughout the life cycle of a disaster. In addition to offering spiritual first aid and disaster response, faith communities are joining with grassroots organizations to advocate for a "just recovery" that is more equitable, resilient and sustainable. Whether communities suffer from hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, police violence, civil uprisings or mass shootings, entrenched systems of oppression and power impact who is harmed and how severely, as well as whose lives, visions, and values are centered during recovery and rebuilding. This class combines two three-day weekend intensives at SKSM along with asynchronous on-line study and reflection. Students will receive the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Crisis Response Team Training during the first weekend intensive. The second weekend includes a local field trip to learn from communities recovering from wildfire disaster in this era of climate disruption. On-line study will include readings, video, audio, worship resources and an opportunity to interview clergy whose ministry was impacted by a disaster. Relates to SKSM Thresholds 2 & 5 and MFC Competencies 2, 4 & 7. Evaluation will be based on familiarity with assigned reading, class participation, role play scenarios and written work. Prerequisites: Educating to Counter Oppressions (or equivalent with faculty permission). Registration: Class is open to students on any degree track. A limited number of community auditors may register with faculty permission. [18 max enrollment; Auditors with faculty permission] Schedule: 1) Orientation Zoom call for the whole class, 2/7/2019, 5:30pm-7:00pm Pacific Time. https://zoom.us/j/8103527466 2) Intensives at SKSM: 3/29/2019-3/31/2019 and 4/26/2019-4/28/2019; Fridays 10:00am-6:00pm; Saturdays 9:00am-5:00pm (Field trip may impact ending time on 4/27); Sundays 9:00am-5:00pm. 3) Asynchronous on-line work