TODAY IN MISSION YEARBOOK
Hurricanes highlight importance of spiritually based trauma care
In the midst of organizing hurricane relief to secure the physical well-being of neighbors, PC(USA) leaders recognize the spiritual effects of trauma. With back-to-back hurricanes striking Florida within less than two weeks and disasters in general becoming more intense because of climate change, “there is so much loss of life, so much stress,” said the Rev. Dr. Kathy Riley, associate for Emotional and Spiritual Care for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).
That’s something the Rev. Dr. Marcia Mount Shoop, pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Asheville, North Carolina, has experienced both personally and through the community members being served by the church in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
“Please keep praying for western North Carolina. We are exhausted, and we are carrying so much together right now. So much is lost, so much has changed,” Mount Shoop wrote on Oct. 5 as she continued to organize supplies and relocation resources for neighbors through her network on Facebook.
In the days following, Grace Covenant became a hub to distribute essential supplies and water. For the past eight years, Grace Covenant has been intentional in their vision and practices to dismantle white supremacy in their church and community through developing deep partnerships in the community. According to Mount Shoop, this work allowed their site to offer Spanish translation services to those seeking assistance and to build a multicultural hub of support in Asheville.
“We are a supply site, so we are dealing with necessities and housing,” Mount Shoop said in a phone interview. “What is happening here at this site is people coming together. We cry. We hug. We listen to one another.” She added that people coming to the site for supplies have become friends, and some have shown up to worship. “The way that beloved community is medicine for trauma is alive here. I’m watching everybody build community, and it’s a beautiful thing.”
How to respond to trauma was also on the hearts and minds of First Presbyterian Church of Asheville. While relief funds and efforts were being coordinated by the church’s associate pastor, the Rev. David Germer, members shared their reflections on the impact of their shared trauma through blog posts and social media. In a blog posted to the church website titled “Living Through a Crisis,” the Rev. Diane Rehfield, a retired pastor, licensed therapist and new member of the church, shared a personal reflection on what it means for the church and its neighbors to live through this trauma together. “We have all been through a traumatic event. For many, the trauma is continuing.” Rehfield advised North Carolina residents to “recognize that none of us are functioning as well as we otherwise would be. Many of us can be brave and steady for days on end, but eventually all of us need to release stress somehow.” Rehfield listed symptoms of trauma and complex grief to be aware of, such as changes to sleep, appetite and temper, along with depression and anxiety that is free-floating or targeted to a need to control minor things. Rehfield advised walking outside in daylight, crying when you feel like it, helping somebody else, establishing routines, talking to others and sharing your stories. “Come to church!” she encouraged. “Many of us are using the internet and charging here, so there are people to talk to every day.”
For people who are traumatized in the wake of disaster, “it can be really helpful to know that they’re with someone who’s faith-based, who’s holding their cares, their concerns, their trauma in a space that involves prayer and turning to God, whether or not that’s articulated in the moment” said Riley.
Traditionally, Riley’s teams that are dedicated to emotional and spiritual care deploy later than the initial response teams that assess and meet the immediate needs of affected areas.
“There’s a lot of questions that come that people may not have asked until this kind of trauma hits, and our approach at PDA is first and always to listen, to accept, and to hold those questions and those challenges without feeling the need to give answers or a clear response,” said Riley.
Give to Disaster Relief — U.S. Hurricane Response.
Beth Waltemath, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Let us join in prayer for:
David Barnhart, Associate, Story Ministry & Documentary Filmmaker, Compassion, Peace & Justice, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Jennifer Barr, Reference & Outreach Archivist, Presbyterian Historical Society
Let us pray:
Almighty God, we are thankful for the example set by your Son, Jesus Christ, in reaching others through preaching, teaching and healing. Bless our churches as they seek to follow that example faithfully in the places where they serve in his name. Amen.