Skip to main content

A pastoral response as wildfires threaten Spokane and gun violence disrupts Twin Falls

Beloved friends in the Greater Northwest Area,

Our hearts continue to ache as disaster unfolds in our communities once more this week. 

While lives are still shattered in Seattle from gun violence last week, today’s message comes amid wildfires forcing mass evacuations of Spokane, including a few of our UMC churches, their pastors and parishioners.

That alone, is too much. And yet, we’re reeling from another act of gun violence in Twin Falls, Idaho, where three people are dead and seven are injured.

I call on everyone reading this to pray – for those fleeing their homes, for those whose lives are yet again shattered by senseless gun violence – and take action in support of one another in these challenging days ahead.

As I wrote last week:

Prayer cannot become a substitute for the difficult work of change. That work also comes closer to home.

Our faith teaches us that every person is of sacred worth and that we belong to one another. When one suffers, we all suffer. Therefore, we must continue to show up.

As of this writing, we know the following about what’s happening in Spokane:

More than 640 structures were decimated as the Old Trails Fire – one of three burning near Spokane – crept into the city limits of Spokane on Saturday. More than 60,000 people have been evacuated in areas of Spokane and more than 14,000 structures have been threatened, according to local and state officials. None of the fires are contained at this moment.

The Governor has declared a state of emergency and we are hoping and praying there has been no loss of life, but the Old Trails Fire alone is being described as the worst one in Washington State history.

Rev. Cody Natlund, one of our Inland and Seven Rivers District superintendents, reports that a few of our pastors have had to evacuate their homes, and an undetermined number of local parishioners have evacuated, with at least one reportedly losing their home. 

None of our churches are in the current evacuation (or impact) zones, but Audubon Park and Covenant UMCs are both on the edges of two of the fires. Rev. Natland reports that Covenant UMC is right across the street from a level 2 evacuation zone in north Spokane.

I am working with our PNW Conference Disaster Response ministries to secure a $10,000 UMCOR Solidarity Grant to work with superintendents in the area to distribute, among other things, grocery gift cards to survivors.

Kathy Bryson, our PNW Conference Disaster Response co-coordinator, offers these tips on how to show up for those in Spokane impacted by wildfires:

  1. Pray: For the survivors, for the first responders, for everyone impacted
  2. Answer the call with your congregation when relief supplies are requested.
    1. Relief supplies include things like hygiene kits, period packs, and soot sponge kits.
  3. Donate. Give to the UMCOR advance or more directly to the PNW Conference Disaster Response Fund, which helps our disaster response coordinators in times like these.
  4. Train and learn when the opportunities arise:
    1. Help your congregation be ready to respond in times of strife through the Connecting Neighbors program. The next training will take place Sept. 19 at Beaverton First UMC in Oregon and is open to anyone in our conferences.
    2. Consider becoming an Early Response Team (ERT) member. Attend the basic training course Sept. 26 at Des Moines UMC in Washington. The invitation is open as well (more details to come).

When it comes to the gun violence on display in Twin Falls, I’m leaning on the wisdom of our local pastor, Rev. Bo Sanders, to know what is best needed in this community right now.

The United Methodist Church stands opposed to gun violence, and so I’d ask you to consider the following resources for your understanding and advancing calls to action for policies and practices that might bring about an end to this epidemic in our country:

  1. What our UMC Book of Resolutions says about gun violence
  2. Join the General Board of Church & Society’s call to end gun violence through action and activism.
  3. Participate in the “Kingdom Dreams Violent Realities” bible study created by GBCS reflecting on Micah 4: 1-4.

All of this is terrifying. The smoke is heavy. The grief is heavy. The fear is real. But fear is not our calling, and despair is not our inheritance.

Even when fire forces us to scatter, our love can still gather us. Even when gun violence causes us to question the safety of being together, we must not surrender the human connection that violence threatens to destroy. We will open our churches, our homes, our hands, and our hearts. We will check on our neighbors, make room for those who have been displaced, and accompany survivors long after the headlines have moved elsewhere.

Last week, I reminded us that we belong to one another. This week, that truth must take on flesh. We belong to those fleeing the fires. We belong to those waiting for news. We belong to the injured and the grieving. We belong to the firefighters, first responders, pastors, and community leaders carrying more than any one person should have to bear. Their fear is not theirs to carry alone. Their recovery is not theirs to build alone.

So let us pray—and then rise from prayer ready to serve. Let us give, advocate, shelter, comfort, and show up. May God receive those who have died, comfort all who mourn, heal the wounded, protect those in the path of the fires, strengthen those responding to these crises, and steady every person who does not yet know what tomorrow will bring.

We belong to one another. We need one another. And in days such as these, God calls us to become shelter for one another.

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth
Resident Bishop, Greater NW Episcopal Area

Conectando Vecindarios

Conectando Vecindarios

Familias y Congregaciones preparadas

para la respuesta durante una pandemia viral (COVID-19) (Adaptado)

“Cada uno ponga al servicio de los demás el don que haya recibido, administrando fielmente la gracia de Dios en sus diversas formas..” — 1 Peter 4:10

El programa Conectando Vecindarios fue diseñado para preparar a nuestras iglesias para responder a desastres de todo tipo, incluyendo la emergencia que tenemos con el coronavirus actual. Esta guía de conectando nuestro vecindarios en primer lugar se enfoca en nosotros mismos, nuestras familias y nuestros hermanos/as de nuestra congregaciones.

Descargar la versión PDF

Primeros Pasos

Tome cuidado de usted mismo y de su familia. Entonces usted estará listo para ayudar a los demás.

No podemos ministrar eficazmente a los demás si no nos hemos asegurado de que nuestras familias estén bien y preparadas para cuidarse entre ellos.

  • Planifique y prepárese para la posibilidad de una auto-cuarentena. Establezca su propio plan de comunicación entre sus conocidos, amigos y familiares que incluya cómo se comunicarán entre cada uno de ustedes. Esto debe incluir medios alternativos de comunicación en caso de que las comunicaciones regulares se interrumpan o se sobrecarguen si la emergencia  con el virus empeora. Asigne otro miembro de la iglesia o vecino para que sea un contacto interino para los miembros de la familia si su plan de comunicación falla.
  • Tenga a mano un suministro para 14 días de alimentos, recetas medicas, medicamentos sin receta, necesidades básicas (es decir; necesidades personales, productos de higiene, suministros sanitarios, pañales y alimentos para mascotas). Consulte la lista del “Kit de supervivencia” de la Cruz Roja Americana en: https://redcross.org/gethelp/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html
  • Mantenga el tanque de gasolina de su vehículo al menos a la mitad.
  • Haga arreglos para la entrega de su correo postal si vive en un área donde su correo se encuentra en una ubicación central.
  • Haga arreglos para o dar seguimiento a miembros de la familia amigos que están en cuarentena.
  • Conozca la información de contacto de su medico primario.
  • Haga arreglos de transportación a un centro médico, si es necesario.

Congregaciones Preparadas

Congregaciones Preparadas

  • Cree un equipo de toma de decisiones entre el; (pastor, líder laico, adoración, finanzas y síndicos) que puedan tomar decisiones rápidamente.
  • Identifique un líder (que no sea el pastor) que coordine un equipo de voluntarios y sea responsable de la respuesta de la iglesia ante la emergencia de la pandemia.
  • Haga una lista de los recursos de la iglesia. Incluya recursos físicos y de comunicación, así como los dones y talentos de los miembros de la iglesia.
  • Establezca o use una red telefónica existente u otro método de conexión con los miembros de su congregación. Considere y adapte las preferencias y los medios de acceso tanto como sea posible. Pruebe este proceso para asegurarse de que todos los miembros regulares y asistentes frecuentes puedan ser contactados.
  • Haga una lista de sus miembros más vulnerables, personas confinadas en sus hogares y otras personas con necesidades especiales. Comuníquese con estas personas regularmente por teléfono (no confíe en mensajes de texto o correo electrónico) para asegurarse de que ellos estén bien y pregunte lo siguiente:
    • Pregúntale: ¿cómo se encuentran?
    • Solicite permiso a los miembros para compartir información según sea necesario.
    • ¿Tienen a alguien que les ayude, un cuidador u otra persona?
    • ¿Necesitan algo que no puedan conseguir por sí mismos?
    • ¿Utilizan un sistema de entrega de comestibles o el servicio de comidas sobre ruedas (“Meals-on-Wheels”), etc.?
    • ¿Necesitan alimentos, medicamentos recetados, etc.? No asuma que usted sabe lo que ellos necesitan y recuerde que pueden estar aislados debido al virus.
  • Identifique necesidades espirituales / emocionales para darle un seguimiento adicional.
  • Ministre espiritualmente a los miembros de la congregación que están en necesidad. Tenga en cuenta los ministros laicos, la ayuda del ministerio “Sthephen Ministry” y otros que tengan alguna capacitación para que le ayuden con el cuidado pastoral.
  • Use grupos pequeños existentes para satisfacer las necesidades de la congregación durante el período de la pandemia.
  • Establezca una estrategia de comunicación para mantener a los miembros informados sobre el estado de la emergencia, las necesidades de la congregación y las actividades y eventos programados o cancelados. Use los equipos existentes que ya están en su lugar para dar a conocer los mensajes. Para iglesias grandes, establezca un equipo de comunicaciones si es necesario.
  • Siga las recomendaciones de las autoridades de salud estatales y federales para reducir su riesgo de exposición.

Mientras planifica, se prepara y responde al coronavirus, recuerde que también estamos llamados a cuidar a nuestros vecinos. No dude en compartir este material con sus vecinos, con otras organizaciones religiosas y otras personas que puedan beneficiarse de esta información.

Recursos Adicionales

Si tiene preguntas sobre esta lista de verificación, necesita ayuda o desea una capacitación más profunda, comuníquese con:

Connecting Neighbors – Ready Families and Congregants

Connecting Neighbors

Ready Families and Congregants

Adapted for Response During a Viral Pandemic (COVID-19)

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10

The Connecting Neighbors program was designed to prepare our churches to respond to disasters of all types including the current coronavirus. These guidelines are focused on the first part of the Connecting Neighbors program — ourselves, families and fellow congregants.

Download PDF Version

First Steps

Take care of yourself and your family. Then you will be ready to reach out to others

We cannot effectively minister to others if we have not ensured our families are safe and prepared to take care of each other.

  • Plan and prepare for the possibility of self-quarantine. Establish your own family, friends, and relatives communication plan that includes how you will communicate with each other. This should include alternative means of communicating should regular communications be interrupted or overloaded if the virus worsens. Have another church member or neighbor be an interim contact for family members if your communication plan fails.
  • Have a 14-day supply on hand of food, prescriptions, Over-the-counter medications, basic necessities (i.e. personal, hygiene products, sanitary supplies, diapers, pet food.) Refer to the American Red Cross “Survival Kit” list at: https://redcross.org/gethelp/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html
  • Keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full.
  • Arrange for mail delivery if you live in an area where your mail is delivered to a central location.
  • Arrange for wellness checks by a family member or friend, if quarantined.
  • Know your medical provider’s contact information.
  • Arrange for transportation to a medical facility, if needed.

Ready Congregations

Ready Congregations

  • Create a decision-making team (pastor, lay leader, worship, finance, trustees?) that can make decisions quickly.
  • Identify a leader (other than the pastor) who will coordinate a team of volunteers and be responsible for the church’s response to the pandemic.
  • List the church’s resources. Include physical and communication resources as well as the gifts and talents of the church members.
  • Establish or use an existing “phone tree” or other method of connecting with congregants. Consider and adapt to preferences and accessibility concerns as much as possible. Test your process to make sure all your regular members and frequent attendees can be reached.
  • Make a list of your most vulnerable members, shut-ins, and others with special needs. Check in with these individuals regularly by phone (don’t rely on text or email) to make sure they are doing well and ask the following:
    • Ask how they’re doing —
    • Ask permission from members to share information as needed.
    • Do they have someone to help them — a care giver or someone else?
    • Do they need anything they can’t get for themselves?
    • Do they use a grocery delivery system or a meals-on-wheels service, etc.?
    • Do they need groceries, prescription medicines, etc.? Don’t assume you know what they need and remember they may be isolated because of the virus.
  • Identify spiritual/emotional needs for additional follow-up.
  • Minister spiritually to congregants in need. Consider Lay Ministers, Stephen Ministers and others who have some training in caring for others.
  • Use existing small groups to meet the needs of the congregation during the term of the pandemic.
  • Establish a communication strategy to keep members informed of the status of the disease, the needs of the congregation, and activities and events scheduled or canceled. Use existing teams already in place to carry the messages forward. For large churches, establish a communications team if necessary.
  • Continue to follow the recommendations of the state and federal health authorities to lower your risk of exposure.

As you plan, prepare and respond to the coronavirus, remember that we are also called to care for our neighbors. Please feel free to share this with your neighbors, with other faith-based organizations and others who may benefit from this information.

Additional Resources

If you have questions concerning this checklist, need assistance, or want more in-depth training please contact:

Continue reading

Case Study: How one church is applying disaster response protocols to love each other better

Like many churches in the Seattle area, Fairwood Community United Methodist Church had to adjust worship plan last weekend. Jim Truitt and Associate Pastor Carrie Bland help us to understand some of the other critical preparations the church is engaging in to care for their members.

Continue reading