The Joseph Pledge

With God's help we commit to preparing our congregation for extreme weather events so that we can protect our families and serve our community when disaster strikes, by doing the following:

1. Affirming creation care as a matter of life, and accepting our biblical responsibility as a steward of all that God has entrusted to me/us.

2. Preparing our church building(s) for extreme weather and cooperating with other local congregations to offer shelter for the most vulnerable among us.

3. Establishing a congregational task force, if needed, to develop and implement plans and procedures to be followed when a natural disaster occurs.

4. Encouraging our members to maintain a supply of emergency food, water and medical supplies.

5. Identifying, locating and planning relocation transport for our most at-risk neighbors.

6. Coordinating efforts with local governments, emergency responders, and disaster relief services, and establishing a clear communications plan

7. Training a team of volunteers to assist with spiritual and emotional stress during extreme weather events

8. Implementing a regularly scheduled training session for the congregation for extreme weather

9. Maintaining energy efficient church buildings and operations, using the Energy Star Workbook for Congregations or other appropriate resources

10. Encouraging our members to advocate for public policies that preserve and renew God’s creation, defend our children now and provide hope for future.