Governor's Faith-Based Disaster Recovery Workshop

Sanctuary: a holy place of worship, and a safe place in the midst of danger.  Church buildings can be both a place of worship and a vital place of safety and shelter in a disaster.  It is essential that the local congregations in the area of a disaster quickly become involved in the faith community's response.  Without the involvement of the local congregation - leadership of the pastor and trained laypersons - faith-based organizations face unique challenges in helping their communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

Isaiah 25:4

For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall...,

For those who are aware and for those who aren't, St Mark Presbyterian Church is trained and designated as a Red Cross Partner Shelter providing sheltering services following a disaster; when called!  When activated, the shelter provides teams and services for the following functions:  Shelter Management, Registration, Feeding, Health Services, Logistics, Dorm Management, Client Services, Staff Recruitment/Placement, Media, and Counseling.

Trained laypersons!  It would be nice to have more of our congregation trained as Local Faith Based Disaster Readiness Coordinators.  The next workshop in the St Louis area will be June 22, place to be determined.  These events are provided free of cost to participants. All events are from 1-5 p.m.

The workshop will provide important information on:
Dispensing health and hope after a disaster
Safe food handling in disaster kitchens
Continuity planning for your house of worship
Operating a safe disaster shelter
Engaging ways to help your congregation become 'disaster ready'
Answering the call to provide emotional and spiritual care after a disaster
Faith communities' response to the Joplin tornado
And more, much more!

If you are interested, please contact Bob Lienemann, your St Mark / Red Cross Emergency Shelter Manager prior to registering for the workshop.