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In early August, southeastern Wisconsin experienced its worst flash flooding since 2008, with rainfall reaching one to two inches per hour. The flooding prompted the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC) to respond with coordinated disaster relief efforts.
The Rev. Bridget Hill, pastor of New Horizon United Church of Christ in Kewaskum and chaplain for a local fire department, recently took on the role of Conference Disaster and Response Coordinator. Hill is part of Global H.O.P.E.’s Disaster Ministries’ national network, which trains clergy and laypeople in disaster response and relief coordination.
Hill noted that this was the first major weather event for the Wisconsin Conference in some time and also her first experience leading such an effort. She credited resources from the UCC National Office, including a revised “Disaster Preparedness Guide for Local Churches: A Workbook,” as instrumental in guiding her work.
Following the flood, Hill assessed damage among a dozen UCC churches in the area. Most experienced manageable flooding; only one sustained significant damage. She secured emergency funds from within the conference and from UCC’s The Christmas Fund to assist those affected.
To aid residents in cleanup efforts, Hill requested 936 cleanup buckets from Church World Service. Distribution was coordinated with the Salvation Army and Milwaukee County Emergency Management. Plans are underway for a conference-wide kit making drive on September 28 to replenish supplies used during this response.
“This is just one way to restock the supply of kits that were sent to us in our time of need,” said Hill.
Recognizing ongoing needs beyond immediate recovery, Hill reached out to Plymouth United Church of Christ in Milwaukee about hosting a hospitality center for flood survivors. The center aimed to provide care, comfort, and a safe space for affected individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities.
“By offering compassionate, affirming and non-judgmental care, we can help survivors be heard, supported and connected during this difficult time,” said Hill.
Plymouth’s senior pastor, Rev. Teresa Howell-Smith, initially hesitated due to limited parking but decided it should not prevent them from helping. Drawing on personal experience with displacement after her own home became unlivable years ago, Howell-Smith empathized with those affected by flooding.
“I know how difficult it is to be displaced, to see everything that you worked for gone. And then to wait to see what insurance will cover. It is hard. Your life is in the balance,” said Howell-Smith.
Once Plymouth agreed to host the hospitality center, outreach included press releases and social media posts announcing its opening times and available services such as conversation spaces, snacks, coffee, and a children’s play area.
Howell-Smith observed that as people arrived at the center it “began taking on a life of its own,” creating opportunities for community connection—including discussions about future events at the church.
“As a church, we learned we can talk about all the things we don’t have to offer, or we can focus on what we do have,” said Howell-Smith.
She added that saying yes “helped us in the church see in a new and different light” their capacity for neighborly support: “It reaffirmed just how important it is to extend our love to our neighbors. We must be willing to do what we can.”
Howell-Smith reflected on unexpected outcomes after opening their doors: “Everything that happened here at the church when we opened our doors after the flood was not what we had envisioned or expected. That is a powerful reminder to always look ahead to the hope and the blessing.”
A practical challenge—limited parking—was resolved when an adjacent space became available thanks to a neighbor’s cooperation. “We witnessed a little miracle with an adjacent space opening up thanks to a neighbor,” said Howell-Smith.
