UUMA Ministry Days
Collegial Conversation - Trauma Response Ministry

 

As our ministers and ministerial students began to respond to the crises and trauma of September 11th, it became apparent that to the emergency response community, Unitarian Universalism does not exist. For the Red Cross, FEMA, and other relief agencies, our lack of denominationally organized and recognized response teams meant that it was exceedingly difficult for our clergy to receive credentials to allow them in to the site. And in these situations, our clergy are uniquely suited to interfaith chaplaincy. Unlike some clergy, we deeply understand the diversity of beliefs that exist within our communities, and we make few, if any, assumptions about what it is that people believe or should believe. This open stance and approach to religion suits the role of non-denominational and crisis chaplains well, and so it was even more frustrating that our clergy could not easily penetrate the perimeter of the September 11th scenes.

Later last year, the unfortunate crisis that occurred in our Brattleboro, Vermont, congregation once again showed the need for a trauma response ministry team. As the members of the congregation and community sought healing and peace following the death of a man within their sanctuary, they could have used a team of chaplains coming in to offer comfort and support -- chaplains that understood our unique religious approach. This echoed the help that would have also helped the Columbine UU Congregation in Littleton, Colorado, several years ago, and the help that could have been brought to congregations and their communities whenever crises affect them.

With these needs in mind, a group of those who worked at Ground Zero in New York City -- the Revs. Rosemary Bray McNatt, Danita Noland, Sue Suchocki Brown and Jan Carlsson-Bull; and ministerial candidate Shayna Appel-- and other ministers with experience in crisis situations -- the Rev. Joel Miller, then minister in Columbine; and the Revs. Kate Seitz Bortner and Lisa Presley, police chaplains -- have begun the creation of Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry (UUTRM).

The main goal of UUTRM is to ensure that when crises hit our UU congregations and their communities, they need not face the issue alone. Individuals trained in crisis response will be available to aid congregations, their leadership and ministers, through advice, counseling, coaching, mentoring, and debriefing services as is needed. UUTRM will also help congregations get connected to local services that can also provide assistance to them. When the crisis is in a community, or when a mass casualty occurs, members of UUTRM will be available to provide aid to those who need spiritual support. UUTRM will also work to educate congregations and ministers about disaster preparedness, and help them ensure that they are ready to be of assistance in mass disasters with such things as food and water, as appropriate.

UUTRM already is working with the UUA and the Unitarian Universalist Ministers' Association to gain their support, and further endorsement and support will be sought. Additionally, UUTRM will work to gain recognition and credentialing from bodies such as FEMA, to enable its members to gain easy access in times of community crises. Funding will be sought through grants and donations, and UUTRM is currently working to identify those within our movement who are willing to work with UUTRM, compiling a database of those who are trained and the skills they have.

Congregations who encounter crises situations can reach UU Trauma Response Ministry through the UUA's Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group.

Reporter Lisa Presley; Editor Jone Johnson Lewis; Web Designer Julie Albanese

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