September is National Preparedness Month, a time for individuals and families to embrace their inner scouts and “be prepared” if a disaster strikes. Congregations, too, are also realizing that being prepared is more than a scouting motto, but a vital call to action as volatile weather patterns can bring destruction anytime, anywhere, and to anyone.
Just ask the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ. In early August, record-setting rain, falling at rates of one to two inches per hour, poured down in the southeastern part of the state, setting into motion the worst flash flooding in the area since 2008.
“This was the first time Wisconsin has had a major event like this in some time,” said the Rev. Bridget Hill. It was also the first time the Wisconsin Conference had an active Conference Disaster and Response Coordinator. Hill, who serves as pastor of New Horizon United Church of Christ in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, as well as a chaplain for a local fire department, recently joined Global H.O.P.E.’s Disaster Ministries’ national network of clergy and laity who are trained to coordinate disaster response and aid in relief.
Valuable resources help in the response
Even though the Wisconsin Conference was starting “from scratch,” Hill had helpful resources from the National Office to guide her, including a “Disaster Preparedness Guide for Local Churches: A Workbook,” in which Katie Howe, UCC’s minister for disaster response and recovery and a team of CDRCs revised in October 2024. (Rewatch last year’s webinar on disaster preparedness below.)
In the aftermath of the deluge, Hill discovered that out of a dozen UCC churches that had experienced “manageable” flooding, only one sustained more significant damage. She got to work securing the release of various funds within the conference as well as UCC’s The Christmas Fund to provide emergency financial assistance.
Hill then requested 936 Church World Service cleanup buckets to be distributed in partnership with the Salvation Army and Milwaukee County Emergency Management to residents. The kits will be replenished as the Wisconsin Conference is planning a conference-wide kit making drive on Sept. 28.
“This is just one way to restock the supply of kits that were sent to us in our time of need,” said Hill.
Spiritual care after the waters recede
Hill, though, didn’t stop with emergency funds and cleanup buckets. She knew that long after the flood waters receded there would be the spiritual and emotional aftermath to minister to. She reached out to Plymouth United Church of Christ in Milwaukee to be the site for a hospitality center, offering care, comfort and a safe space for those affected by the flooding. Hill was especially committed to making sure marginalized communities were being supported.
“By offering compassionate, affirming and non-judgmental care, we can help survivors be heard, supported and connected during this difficult time,” said Hill.
The Rev. Teresa Howell-Smith said opening Plymouth UCC’s doors as a post-flood hospitality center “took on a life of its own,” revealing beautiful moments in a time of chaos and crisis.
It was a request Plymouth’s senior pastor, the Rev. Teresa Howell-Smith, didn’t expect — or even feel equipped for as her first concern was the lack of church parking. But the Spirit was stirring and Howell-Smith quickly decided that stumbling block wasn’t going to stand in the way of Plymouth “opening our doors and being the church in a time of need.”
Howell-Smith’s “yes” to offering a haven of hope and healing was also coming from a place of knowing all too well what it was like to deal with the stress of displacement.
The former social worker, once lived in a hotel for three months with two little children after burst pipes made their home unlivable.
“I know how difficult it is to be displaced, to see everything that you worked for gone. And then to wait to see what insurance will cover. It is hard. Your life is in the balance,” said Howell-Smith.
Beautiful moments emerge
With Plymouth’s location secured, Hill sent out press releases to the media to spread the news of the days and time that the hospitality center would be opened. She also created social media posts letting those on Instagram and Facebook know that there was a place of welcome for all where conversation, coffee, snacks and even a children’s play area were waiting.
As people came, the hospitality center began “taking on a life of its own,” said Howell-Smith, with many beautiful moments emerging the watery chaos.
Plymouth UCC’s fellowship hall was the perfect space to offer flood-wary residents a place to find resources, a listening ear, hot coffee and snacks. Tending to the spiritual and emotional needs in the aftermath of a disaster is a critical part of a church’s disaster plan.
“As a church, we learned we can talk about all the things we don’t have to offer, or we can focus on what we do have,” said Howell-Smith. Plymouth, for example, already had a wonderful space for children. And the hospitality center opened conversations with a resident interested in using church for a future town hall gathering.
“Saying ‘yes’ to serving as a hospitality center helped us in the church see in a new and different light,” said Howell-Smith. “It reaffirmed just how important it is to extend our love to our neighbors. We must be willing to do what we can.”
The Plymouth congregation, especially the pastor, was also reminded of the importance of leaving wiggle room for the Spirit. “Everything that happened here at the church when we opened our doors after the flood was not what we had envisioned or expected. That is a powerful reminder to always look ahead to the hope and the blessing,” said Howell-Smith.
As for the limited church parking that almost led Plymouth UCC to pass on becoming a post-flood hospitality center. “We witnessed a little miracle with an adjacent space opening up thanks to a neighbor,” said Howell-Smith.
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