It is time to REGISTER for the October 2 Forum for Disaster Preparedness, cohosted by ICTG and SBC VOAD, and focused on "Strengthening Partnerships."  

Following last year's successful forum that introduced long-term recovery and emotional/spiritual care after trauma, this year's event will provide practical information for your faith-based or community-based organization in taking next steps for coordinated response after natural destruction or mass-violence.  

We are honored to hear from expert speakers, Rev. David Myers, Director of the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and Brie Loskota, from USC's Center for Religion and Civic Culture.  They will share about current joint projects around the country and in SoCal among faith-based and community-based partners.  

Beyond the speakers, we will host table-top discussions for networking, active learning and creating ways for Santa Barbara County to model preparedness and whole-community care after disaster. 

This event is FREE to participants and will provide light breakfast, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day.  Register as soon as possible to ensure supplies available.  Do invite colleagues, and encourage them to register soon as well. 

The following is a brief excerpt from National Catholic Reporter Robyn Haas' coverage of current events in Ferguson. To read more and learn more about NCR, visit their website. 

To read more of Robyn Haas' coverage, visit the National Catholic Reporter website. 

Recently, the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, announced a task force for creating an easily accessible resource online for finding hymns for times of crisis.  This much-need project today will no-doubt be a valuable resource for worship leaders.  

Please see this invitation if you are aware of meaningful hymns that ought to be part of this library.