Leaders in disaster ministry to gather for CWS forum
Friday, January 20, 2012

Faith communities often play a crucial role in responding to disasters throughout the United States, such as by building houses, providing emotional care to survivors and meeting other unmet needs.

The 2012 CWS Forum on Domestic Disaster Ministry will focus on "Sacred Hospitality: Compassion and Community in the Wake of Disaster" Photo: FEMA Photo/Andrea Booher

Faith communities often play a crucial role in responding to disasters throughout the United States, such as by building houses, providing emotional care to survivors and meeting other unmet needs.

How and why faith communities respond to disasters will be explored at the 2012 Church World Service Forum on Domestic Disaster Ministry, March 19-21 in New Windsor, Maryland.

The biennial forum brings together leading scholars, theologians and staff who work in disaster programs throughout the broad, interreligious community. Participants explore the changing nature of response to natural and technological disasters and learn from experienced practitioners in the field.

The 2012 forum will focus on "Sacred Hospitality: Compassion and Community in the Wake of Disaster" and explore topics including economic justice, spiritual and emotional care and forging partnerships with secular, faith-based and governmental agencies.

The forum is a great place to learn the latest developments in how faith communities are responding to disasters, according to Barry Shade, CWS Associate Director for Domestic Emergency Response.

Amy Oden, a scholar of Christian traditions of hospitality and the dean of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., will be the keynote speaker.

Other scheduled speakers include Stan Duncan, Bob Fogal, Bonnie Osei-Frimpong, Ruama Camp, Claire Rubin, Jamison Day and Bruce Epperly.

“We're very excited about the speakers who are coming this year,” Shade says. “We'll cover everything from the theological to the practical aspects of disaster response and recovery.”

Participants in past forums have included staff members from faith-based disaster programs, government agencies, corporations, foundations and community organizations.

The forum will take place at the New Windsor Conference Center, a Church of the Brethren facility in the rolling hills of rural, western Maryland. Transportation is available from Baltimore-Washington International Airport for those who register by March 10.

The forum registration form and additional information are available online at www.cwserp.org.

The March 2012 gathering will be the fifth CWS Forum on Domestic Disaster Ministry. CWS is a global relief, development and refugee assistance agency supported by 37 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations in the United States and by private donations.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, 212-870-2676, lcrosson@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526, jdragin@gis.net