Disaster Ministries
Hurricanes 2024 Relief Efforts
On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene landed in Florida as a category-four storm. This storm brough a devastating 20-foot storm surge and 140 mph winds. After landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, the storm proceeded northeast into Georgia, western South Carolina, western North Carolina, and eastern Tennessee as a category one storm. Over 230 people have been confirmed dead from this devastating storm.
On October 9, 2024 Hurricane Milton landed on Florida’s west coast, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. This storm brough with it 46 confirmed tornadoes throughout Florida, and claiming 17 lives.
The Global HOPE team continues to be in communication with the Southeast, Southern, and Florida Conference staff, ecumenical partners in disaster recovery, and response coordination calls with the national network of voluntary organizations active in disasters (VOAD). Several UCC churches throughout the affected region have suffered extensive damage to their church buildings, church members and surrounding communities.
Please continue to hold all of those who have been impacted, and those who are facing the threat of another hurricane in your prayers. We invite you to learn more about getting involved through donations, or volunteering your time here.
Helping congregations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters
We are a global-reaching organization called to respond to both natural and human-caused disasters, providing physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual care to those affected.
The Global HOPE team facilitates the UCC’s response to natural and human-caused disasters across the United States and its territories and around the world.
Hand in hand with our Partners in Service and other volunteers, congregations, conferences, and partnerships, including a network of Conference Disaster Response Coordinators, UCC Disaster Ministries seeks to serve the most vulnerable populations, focusing on disaster preparedness, identifying and meeting unmet needs, and spiritual and emotional support.
The UCC is an active member of National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), through which we partner with dozens of organizations, large and small, for holistic, community-based recovery.
Internationally, Global HOPE maintains direct relationships and partnerships with organizations and faith communities able to appropriately and effectively respond to emergencies and long-term needs. The Global HOPE Team Leader works with Area Executives of Global Ministries and through organizations such as Church World Service and the ACT Alliance to direct financial support and ensure the United Church of Christ stands with vulnerable people during times of crisis.
Receive regular updates on ways your church can respond to disasters.
Ways to Respond to Disasters
Donations
Disaster Ministries Donations Page
Active Appeals
Give to one of the appeals below to bring hope and healing to communities in need.
Disaster Grant Opportunities
Receive assistance to help communities in disaster find hope and strength.
Disaster Ministries Willing to Respond
Willing to Respond is a joint venture between United
Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ to help
congregations work better together and connect with their
local disaster response infrastructure.
Disaster Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are needed to help respond to disasters in the United States and abroad. We are a proud member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to help connect volunteers to urgent needs in our world.
Disaster Ministry Updates
UCC expands appeal for relief efforts following Hurricane Milton
The United Church of Christ has extended the scope of its appeal for Hurricanes 2024 Relief…
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Maine Conference holds interfaith remembrance to grieve, heal one year after Lewiston shootings
A group of interfaith leaders offered public prayer and space to grieve last Tuesday for those…
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UCC issues appeal for those impacted by widespread destruction of Hurricane Helene
The United Church of Christ has launched an appeal and opportunities to support recovery…
Read MoreResources for Churches in Times of Disaster
Use these church resources to prepare for and cope with disasters impacting your community.
Emotional and Spiritual Care in Disaster
We are embarking on care for the caregiver through an emotional and spiritual care team. Get involved as a participant, advisor or team member.
