UCC offers resiliency self-care workshop

UCC Disaster Ministries’ work includes extending emotional and spiritual care to disaster survivors, including to the caregivers who are seeking to walk with them. To that end, it is partnering with the New England Disaster Chaplains Association to offer a new, online “Resiliency Self-Care Workshop.”

This 2 to 2.5-hour live webinar offers practical and helpful ways to deal with stress and practice self-care in today’s world. Focus points include assessing your current stress impacts, implementing self-care resources in multiple arenas, strengthening resiliency, and caring for those around you.

The webinar is taught by Chris Farrand and Rev. Fred Meade. Read about them below, where you’ll also find testimonials from people who have taken the workshop.

Would you like to host the “Resiliency Self-Care Workshop” with UCC Disaster Ministries sponsorship? Contact Lesli Remaly (remalyl@ucc.org) for full information.

Workshop Leaders

Rev. Fred Meade is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ for 36 years. He has been teaching for New York Disaster Interfaith Services as well as the National Disaster Services and the American Red Cross for about the last six years and has also been deployed to numerous disasters.

Chris Farrand is the Regional Coordinator of Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) for The Salvation Army in MA, CT and RI. Chris has worked for The Salvation Army for 12 years and oversees both the development and operations of the EDS program including Immediate Response, Long Term Recovery, and Emotional and Spiritual Care. Chris has responded to many regional and national disasters.

Participant Testimonials

“This training was exactly what I needed at the very moment I needed it. Having worked within such difficult circumstances over this past year, and dealing with stressors from all sides, having this space to listen to others’ experiences, process my own struggles and engage with trusted colleagues around such sensitive topics was eye opening to say the least. More significantly, I felt heard, understood, and appreciated. Chris and Fred bring their own personal – and very emotional – testimonies, creating a space that will make you feel comfortable sharing your own and engaging with other participants. They stress the importance and offer ideas and advice for taking care of yourself during this pandemic – something we are all guilty of overlooking when our lives get so crazy. I highly recommend this training – it was 2 hours very well spent.” Emily Mew, State Coordinator, Emergency Disaster Services, MA Salvation Army

“’I’m ok, I don’t need a course to help me deal with this disaster, I deal with disasters all the time.’ That was what I thought until I participated in this well-organized, fast paced course from practitioners who have been there and done that! During the course I felt like the instructors were talking directly to me and how I was reacting to the stress of the work I do in emergency management. After the course I took away three tips that I put into practice immediately. It’s made a difference and it continues to give me hope.” Arlene Magoon, FEMA Region I, Individual and Community Preparedness Officer