Bishop Brian Seage has appointed the Rev. Ben Robertson as chairperson of the diocesan Disaster Preparedness and ResponseTeam (DPRT). Robertson is the rector of Chapel of the Cross/Madison and has been a team member since November of 2015.
Robertson attended Disaster Chaplaincy and FEMA Incident Command System trainings through the Beecken Center at Sewanee in 2015. As chairperson of the diocesan DPRT, he will help coordinate parishes and missions in their efforts to prepare for disaster events that may happen to church property, and to communicants within the church, as well as to be able to respond effectively to help others who are affected by weather related events, fires, or floods.
“If someone knows of a disaster-related need within Mississippi, he or she should inform the rector, vicar or senior warden of the church where the need is located,” Robertson said. Local congregations may apply for grants from the Mississippi Disaster Relief Fund. The diocesan team evaluates the application and then votes on the grant application.
Efforts at responding financially are also aided by Episcopal Relief and Development. ERD works with Church partners worldwide to bring disaster relief and development for people in need. Grants from ERD are often coupled with a local diocesan grant and sent to a parish where the funds are administrated. A report is submitted to the diocesan team and ERD after 90 days to account for grant administration.
The Rev. Deacon Cathy Halford is the ERD representative for Mississippi and is a member of the DPRT as well. Halford processes ERD grants.
Over the years, many congregations have filled out the preparedness guide for congregations and parishes. Robertson suggests that this document be updated if it is has not been recently. If a congregation has yet to fill out a planning guide, it is easily available on the diocesan website: click on Ministries, scroll down to Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response, then a menu will open to reveal the fillable PDF file Preparedness Planning Guide.
After filling out or updating a planning guide, Robertson asks that a copy be sent to him. His email address is: brobertson@chapelofthecrossms.org.
The Rev. Scott Lenoir is the editor of the Mississippi Episcopalian.
