Overview
In New South Wales and the ACT the Uniting Church plays a vital role in disasters and emergencies by providing pastoral care and spiritual nourishment. Working alongside other agencies, and within the State's Disaster Plan, the church helps disaster-affected people survive and develop in spite of the emergency, not just to replace material losses.
About this site
This web site provides a comprehensive look at how the Uniting Church Synod of New South Wales and the ACT working through its Disaster Recovery Committee cooperates with State, Commonwealth, Church, welfare and other organisations to care for people affected by disasters.
It outlines the plans that are in place to ensure these efforts are coordinated effectively. It also explains why pastoral care is so vital and how people can give time or money to ensure that disaster-affected people receive the best possible care during these painful times. (Click here to see more about how you can help).
How the Uniting Church helps
Uniting Church people help in disaster recovery in a variety of ways. The Synod coordinates the training and provision of chaplaincy from a range of faith groups to evacuation and recovery centres within the state; Uniting Church police, ambulance and fire chaplains are often present on the scene. Hospital chaplains care for the injured when they arrive in hospitals. Presbytery contacts work with welfare bodies to help coordinate food, clothing, accommodation and other services to meet immediate and longer-term needs. The Moderator of the Uniting Church often visits to give care and comfort. And Uniting Church people donate money to appeals launched by the church and other agencies.
