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As Hurricane Harvey moves across the Rio Texas Conference, many of our communities are impacted by this devastating storm. Families have evacuated and left their homes. Others are experiencing the rain and winds that come with this magnitude of a storm. As we live into this new reality, it is essential that we continue to support and pray with one another as we face the next days, weeks, and months together.

In the midst of a natural disaster, persons of all ages will experience a multitude of emotions. Fear, anxiety, shock, anger, confusion, and sadness are some of the normal reactions to this type of crisis. It is important to listen, reflect, pray and work together. For we know -- God is with us.

Listed below, you will find a guide for Holy Conversation in your family followed by prayers, family devotionals, and resources. The hope is that they will help your family and the families in your community live knowing that God is with you. You are not alone! Thanks be to God!

Guide for Holy Conversation in your Family

In times of uncertainty, it is important to be open and honest regarding current events. Persons of all ages should be able to share how they are feeling in response to their experiences. Remember -- fear, anxiety, concern, and anger are all normal responses to a natural disaster and tragedy. Try to minimize screen time and continuous access to media reports and updates. This will help decrease anxiety- protecting all persons from constant coverage and overwhelming images that may only increase their anxiety and fear. Reassure family members as they share their concerns. Structure is also important during times of uncertainty. Persons thrive when they have a clear understanding of expectations. Knowing what to expect will provide a sense of security when everything feels out of control. Routines and schedules can provide a sense of comfort and certainty for all persons, especially young children.

Gather: In times of uncertainty and tragedy it is important for families to come together. Create a Safe Space where all members of the family can listen, wonder, and pray together. You can find a devotional below to help you in this time together.
Connect: Once gathered, take time to connect to God and to one another.
- Connecting with God: Affirm God's presence. Read scripture together. These actions help us remember God's promise to be with us "every day until the end of this present age" (Matthew 28:20). You might also choose to read another text that brings you comfort and helps you reflect on your emotions. There are suggestions listed below.
- Connecting with each other: Physically connect -- look into each other's eyes, hold hands, offer hugs or other comforting gestures. Be present with one another.
Wonder: Wonder together. Reflect on your feelings and concerns. Listen openly as each person shares. Invite persons to express how they are feeling in response to what they are hearing, seeing, or experiencing. Take time to validate all feelings and remember that you do not have to fix anxiety or fear. This will take time. Here are some sample wondering questions:
- For persons experiencing Hurricane Harvey:
  - I wonder: How do you feel in response to Hurricane Harvey?
  - I wonder: What questions do you have?
  - I wonder: What do you want to say to God?
  - I wonder: What is God saying to us?
  - I wonder: What can we do next?
- For persons who are praying for persons impacted by Hurricane Harvey:
  - I wonder: What you have heard about Hurricane Harvey?
  - I wonder: How does this make you feel?
  - I wonder: What questions do you have?
  - I wonder: “How is God might be calling calling us to respond?”
Pray: Talk to God together. Share your emotions, fears, and concerns. Lift up your hopes and ask for help with next steps. A simple breath prayer can help calm anxiety. Take a deep breath together and say: "Lord, you keep me safe." Then breathe out: "I put my trust in you" (based on Psalm 91). Repeat this as a group, slowing your breath and calming your spirit.
Work:
- Reflect: Take time to journal, color, draw. Give everyone in your family time to be together as they silently process all they are experiencing. You can choose to follow this time with more reflection or wondering. Ask: "I wonder, do you want to tell me about your drawing, journaling, or work?" A great resource for this is: Praying in Color by Sybil MacBeth.
- Play: Remember to play. This is one way we process our emotions. We can use our actions to express our fears and anxieties. It is also a way to help all members of our family experience joy in the midst of turmoil and sadness.
- Respond: Take time to share what you, your church, community, others, are doing to help your family and others who have been impacted by the storm. Ponder on what your family can do next. Identifying next steps helps persons of all ages overcome feelings of helplessness. Persons often regain a sense of control and power when there is a clear task
Bless each other: Take time to bless one another. Give thanks to God for your safety. Look each family member in the eye, and make the sign of a cross on their forehead or open palm as you say: "God is with you, you are not alone. You are in God's care."

Prayers

for persons who are away from their homes

for emergency responders

For persons experiencing flooding

Devotionals

Prayerful Response to Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and other natural disasters (for use in family's, children sermons, other small group settings)
- Using images, invite persons to reflect on their own experiences and emotions in response to today's current events. See Vibrant Faith's visual faith project for more information and tools for this work.
- Preparation: Select images to share with persons in your group. Make sure you take into consideration the ages of the persons you will be working with. For youth and adults you will want to select several images for your participants to choose from. For younger persons 2-6 images will suffice. Select images from the news, from your community, or from your facebook page. Again, make sure the photos are age appropriate and that you have copyright permissions to share/use the photos. Visit Vibrant Faith's visual faith project for photos you can use for this work. This site also offers kid appropriate images too.
- Invite: Say- "I have many pictures for you to choose from. I invite you to pick one picture that reflects how you feel in response to (insert name of disaster). Remind participants that they will be returning the photo at the end of your time together. Provide ample time for persons to review and choose a photo.
- Reflection: When participants return to their seats invite them to share with a partner why they chose their specific photo.
- Scripture:
  - Invite someone to read: Isaiah 43:1-2
  - Ask: "how does your photo reflect God's promise as revealed in the book of Isaiah?"
  - Invite someone to read: Joshua 1:9
- Close in Prayer: God, our creator, redeemer, and sustainer- thank-you for being with us during this difficult time. We ask that you give us courage. Help us to be brave as we seek to follow you in the aftermath of this storm. Guide us as we seek to help each other. Comfort us as we grieve. Reveal moments where peace is felt and hope is seen. Encourage us as we find ways to move forward together. It's in your Holy name we pray, Amen.
- For short moments with children:
  - Choose 4 appropriate images to share with children.
  - Ask wondering questions (see examples below):
    - I wonder how these images make you feel?
    - I wonder where God is in these pictures?
    - I wonder where you are in these pictures?
    - I wonder what you want to ask God?
    - I wonder what you want to share with God?
    - I wonder what God is calling you to do next?
  - Say: "God is always with us."
  - Read: Isaiah 43:1-2
  - Pray: God, thank-you for loving us. Thank-you for listening when we pray. Help us as we help others. Amen.
Practice the Daily Examen (invite persons in your family to reflect on these questions together)
- "I experienced God today..."
- "I am thankful for..."
- "I need God's help with..."
- Pray together: "Give thanks to the Lord because God is good... God's faithful love lasts forever. Amen" (Psalm 118:1)