NBA Response to Crisis and Trauma

July 9, 2016

Dear Friends,

The violence and tragedies of this week have us, at the National Benevolent Association, in deep sorrow and prayer. The NBA’s mission statement reminds us that we as a ministry are to follow God’s call to advocate for the well-being of all humanity and to accompany one another in the creation of communities of compassion and care.

Compassion, care, and well-being seem so far from the events of this week. One journalist wrote, “how can we begin to make sense out of a senseless week?”

And yet, as people of faith, we know that in our connections and belonging to one another as community we can, should, and will continue to nurture healing and forge ahead ways of peace and justice.

In the coming days, the NBA will share some of the intentional conversations and resources that we have as healthcare providers and direct service ministries. We are grounded in and further encourage reconciling conversations. We share ways of how to foster dialogue following trauma. We are about featuring the services and care that so many Disciples-related health and social service ministries take on each day and that will inspire and encourage you to know–and, thus, possibly do–more.

The roots of the word “community” are about strengthening and fortifying each other and to do so together. As we move forward from the events that impacted families and communities in Baton Rouge, St. Paul, and Dallas, we do so in faith, compassion, and strength together.

With care and peace,
Mark D. Anderson
NBA President and CEO

Resources and Reflections

• Video: A Reflection on the Still Small Voice – from Angela Whitenhill, convener of the NBA Mental Health and Congregational Care Affinity Group
• “A Time to Protest and a Time to Rest” – a mental health resource for activists
• “A Call to Disciples in This Time of Violence” – from Disciples leaders
• “Black Lives Matter” – from Rev. Dean Bucalos, mission specialist for the NBA Prison and Jail Ministries Affinity Group
• Acts of Reconciliation – resources/links collected through the Disciples Justice Table
• St. Louis-Area Disciples Summit on Racial Justice – resources from the summit held in September 2015
• Injustice Anywhere – documentary film and accompanying study guide
• A Service of Lament and bibliography of anti-racism resources – shared by the Illinois-Wisconsin Region Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Team