By Kathy Bryson & Patrick Scriven
The Pacific Northwest Conference (PNWUMC) Disaster Preparedness and Response Mission is ready to pay it forward after training seven new Connecting Neighbors disaster preparedness Ambassadors during an all-day workshop on October 18 at Edmonds United Methodist Church.
Led by UMCOR trainer Angela Overstreet, the event brought together 36 participants representing seven United Methodist congregations, several nonprofit organizations, and community members, all seeking to strengthen their ability to prepare for and respond to disasters in their communities.
The Connecting Neighbors curriculum, developed by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), helps individuals and churches move from awareness to action through practical, achievable steps that build resilience before disaster strikes. These trainings emphasize that preparedness not only reduces potential damage but also positions churches to serve more effectively during recovery.
Workshops are organized around three core modules:
- Ready Congregants – inspiring individuals and families to take action toward personal preparedness.
- Ready Churches – emphasizing the importance of protecting church property and caring for people within the congregation.
- Ready Response – guiding churches and organizations to explore their capacity to collaborate with their communities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters.
“Washington State is most prone to flooding, wildfires, and severe storms. Earthquakes also pose a risk as the state is one of the most seismically active in the U.S.,” said Kathy Bryson, PNWUMC Disaster Response Coordinator. “By planning ahead, not only is recovery time from these disasters reduced, but also the potential to save lives and protect property.”
Preparedness also strengthens the church’s ongoing witness and community presence during “blue sky” times—those periods between disasters. Congregations that are ready to respond can also expand their mission by supplying food and essential items to local food banks, providing shelter during extreme weather, and organizing volunteers for community service projects.
For more information about the Connecting Neighbors program or to schedule a workshop for your church or organization, contact Jeff Nichols, PNWUMC Connecting Neighbors Coordinator, at jdnichol@hotmail.com.
Kathy Bryson serves as disaster response coordinator for the PNW Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Patrick Scriven serves as director of communications for the PNW Conference of The United Methodist Church.
