Disaster Ministry leaders to gather at CWS Forum

["Lesley Crosson" <LCrosson@churchworldservice.org>]

For Immediate Release
January 23, 2012
 
Leaders in disaster ministry to gather for CWS forum
Registration now open
 
Faith communities often play a crucial role in responding to disasters
throughout the United States, such as by building houses, providing
emotional care to survivors and meeting other unmet needs.
 
How and why faith communities respond to disasters will be explored at
the 2012 Church World Service Forum on Domestic Disaster Ministry, March
19-21 in New Windsor, Maryland.
 
The biennial forum brings together leading scholars, theologians and
staff who work in disaster programs throughout the broad, interreligious
community. Participants explore the changing nature of response to
natural and technological disasters and learn from experienced
practitioners in the field.
 
The 2012 forum will focus on "Sacred Hospitality: Compassion and
Community in the Wake of Disaster" and explore topics including economic
justice, spiritual and emotional care and forging partnerships with
secular, faith-based and governmental agencies.
 
Registration is at www.cwserp.org ( http://www.cwserp.org/ ).
 
The forum is a great place to learn the latest developments in how
faith communities are responding to disasters, according to Barry Shade,
CWS Associate Director for Domestic Emergency Response.
 
Amy Oden, a scholar of Christian traditions of hospitality and the dean
of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., will be the keynote
speaker.
 
Other scheduled speakers include Stan Duncan, Bob Fogal, Bonnie
Osei-Frimpong, Ruama Camp, Claire Rubin, Jamison Day and Bruce Epperly.
 
“We're very excited about the speakers who are coming this year,” Shade
says. “We'll cover everything from the theological to the practical
aspects of disaster response and recovery.” 
 
Participants in past forums have included staff members from
faith-based disaster programs, government agencies, corporations,
foundations and community organizations.
 
The forum will take place at the New Windsor Conference Center, a
Church of the Brethren facility in the rolling hills of rural, western
Maryland. Transportation is available from Baltimore-Washington
International Airport for those who register by March 10.
 
The forum registration form and additional information are available
online at www.cwserp.org ( http://www.cwserp.org/ ).
 
The March 2012 gathering will be the fifth CWS Forum on Domestic
Disaster Ministry. CWS is a global relief, development and refugee
assistance agency supported by 37 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican
denominations in the United States and by private donations. 
 
Media Contacts
Lesley Crosson, (212) 870-2676, media@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin - 24/7 - (781) 925-1526, jdragin@gis.net
 
 
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