Resources

The following documents are made available to guide Uniting Church presbyteries, Disaster Contacts, the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT, boards and agencies. They outline the function of Presbytery Disaster Contacts, the Synod Disaster Recovery Committee, the Synod Disaster Plan, the Uniting Church’s link with the New South Wales Disaster Welfare Services Coordinating Committee and give an introduction to Pastoral First Aid in Emergencies.

Synod Disaster Recovery Plan (2004) giving definitions, principles, action required for planning and implementing a disaster response.

Pastoral Care in Disasters. The New South Wales Uniting Church’s role (June 2003) Outlines the roles of chaplains, congregations and individuals in offering pastoral care and the plans within which they work.

Synod Peer support Team (August 2007)

Reflecting theologically on disasters: What is going on when the planet, acknowledged by the Creator as “good”, seems to turn in fatal fury on its human tenants? And what sense can we make of frail humanity, made in God's image, when error, negligence or hostile intent destroys hundreds, thousands, even millions of innocent lives? (Alan Galt, January 2005)

Pastoral Care in Disaster (December 2001), an overview of the Uniting Church’s role and how we fit in with the New South Wales Disaster Rescue, Disaster Medical and Disaster Welfare Plans.

Disaster Recovery in NSW (January 2001) a summary of what is meant by emergency relief, long term recovery, and the availability of the Church’s disaster appeals.

Pastoral Care in Disaster (August 1999) emphasising the centrality of pastoral care in the Church’s role in disaster recovery.

Disaster Welfare Services (Autumn 1997), outlining principles of disaster recovery management, an integrated response to diverse community needs. Cooperation with non-government agencies.

Presbytery Disaster Contacts and job description defining tasks, appointment & training.

Pastoral Care in Disaster in NSW (October 1994) emphasising a local plan, the overwhelming nature of disasters, concentrating on pastoral care, the follow up period, activating the Synod plan.

The Churches’ Role in Disasters NSW Synod (August 1994)
Background paper written for the Assembly Commission on Mission Disaster Committee outlining the traditional role and main tasks of churches in disaster and disaster response.

Drought update: crop and livestock report (27 October 2006)
A report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE), on the impact of the drought, winter crop and livestock production in 2006-07, seasonal conditions in the states, and the outlook for summer crops. ABARE, located in Canberra, is an Australian government economic research agency.

Emergency Ministry: equipping people for ministry in traumatic times
A website featuring links for books, articles, websites and training materials relating to ministry in trauma settings, ncluding the book Ministry in Disaster Settings – Lessons from the Edge.