Disaster Ministries
Mission Team
“When disaster strikes, love responds.”
The Keystone Conference of the United Church of Christ stands ready to serve our neighbors across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with compassion, courage, and coordinated care. Whether facing floods in the valleys, fires in the hills, or the quiet crises that unfold in homes and hearts, our Disaster Ministries volunteers embody the Gospel call to be present, prepared, and prophetic.
What We Do
Our Disaster Ministries teams are local — because all disasters are local. However, we are networked across other conferences and the national office of the United Church of Christ.
Through the work of volunteers and partners in service, our ongoing mission is to equip congregations and communities to respond to emergencies with grace and grit. We offer:
- Preparedness Training for churches and households
- Rapid Response Coordination with local and state agencies
- Volunteer Mobilization for clean-up, rebuilding, and emotional support
- Spiritual Care Teams to walk alongside survivors and responders
- Grant Support & Resource Sharing for congregations impacted by disaster
- Advocacy & Education on climate resilience, equity, and long-term recovery
Rooted in Pennsylvania, Ready for Anything
From the Allegheny Mountains to the Delaware River, the Keystone Conference encompasses a diverse range of landscapes and communities. We honor this sacred geography by:
- Partnering with county emergency managers and faith-based coalitions
- Supporting urban, rural, and Indigenous communities with contextual care
- Offering region-specific training for weather-related and human-caused disasters
- Building intergenerational teams that reflect the strength of our congregations
The Keystone Conference Disaster Ministries are proud to be part of the UCC Global H.O.P.E. Team, a network of leaders across the denomination who bring Help, Outreach, Presence, and Engagement to communities around the world in crisis.
This vital relationship enables us to collaborate nationally to share best practices, training, and resources, deploy them regionally and nationally to support disaster recovery, and engage in national planning and advocacy for disaster resilience and equity. It also represents the Keystone Conference in shaping the UCC’s compassionate response to climate, conflict, and crisis.
This connection ensures that our Pennsylvania congregations are never alone. We are part of a wider body of Christ that shows up with hope, healing, and hands ready to serve.
Local Leadership & Spiritual Care Teams
Association Disaster Response Coordinators
Disaster response begins with relationships. That’s why the Keystone Conference empowers each of our Associations with a dedicated Disaster Response Coordinator (DRC)—a trusted leader who knows the local terrain, congregations, and community needs.
Our DRCs serve as first points of contact when emergencies arise. Some of what they do on a local level includes:
- Coordinate with local churches, emergency services, and volunteers
- Assess needs and activate response plans tailored to their region
- Share updates and requests with the Conference Disaster Ministries team
- Help congregations prepare spiritually and practically for future events
Each Association’s DRC is trained and supported by the Conference and the UCC National HOPE Team, ensuring consistency, compassion, and readiness across Pennsylvania.
Emotional & Spiritual Care Teams
How You Can Help
In times of crisis, people need more than supplies—they need presence. Our Emotional and Spiritual Care Teams offer:
- Trauma-informed listening and pastoral support
- Prayer and ritual for healing and resilience
- Safe spaces for grief, storytelling, and spiritual reflection
- Support for clergy and lay leaders navigating community recovery
These teams are composed of chaplains, pastors, and trained lay caregivers who embody the UCC’s commitment to holistic care. Whether responding to a flood, fire, or personal tragedy, they remind us that God is near, and the church is here.
- Join a Disaster Response Team
- Host a preparedness workshop at your church
- Donate to the Keystone Conference Disaster Fund
- Attend a training or webinar
- Pray for survivors, responders, and communities in recovery
Contact Us
For more information, to volunteer, or to request support, reach out to: [email protected]
Faith in Action
Disaster response is not just about logistics—it’s about love. It’s about showing up when others are hurting, listening deeply, and offering hope that rebuilds more than homes. In every storm, we seek the still-speaking God. In every recovery, we find resurrection.
Helpful links to learn more about Disaster Ministry in the UCC:
- Preparedness Document Checklist for Personal Preparedness and Congregational Preparedness
- Disaster Response/Volunteer Resources – valuable information on how to help in current emergencies and how to prepare for possible disasters.
- Disaster Resources for your Home and Congregation
- Seven Ways You Can Get Involved in Disaster Ministries
- Disaster Preparedness Manual for Churches
- https://www.ucc.org/giving/ways-to-give/disaster-relief/
- https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/wider-church-ministries/global-hope/disaster-volunteering/disaster/
