Many of us left. Some were deposed...some sued...some evicted from their homes....most lost their building....most lost many friends....most lost their "dirt", none lost our dignity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ5ddJNsXNc
"We will" is a response in the Sacramental Rites of Baptism, Confirmation and Matrimony. At all three of these sacred ceremonies, the congregation uses this response to promise they will support and assist the recipient of the sacrament to grow in the Faith. This Blog will discuss the many aspects of Christian Formation that the family is called to master.Our aim is to facilitate intergenerational family empowerment in order to live out our Baptism Covenants and live out the Great Commission.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Welcome Home Initiative will come...
The Welcome Home Initiative will come South
As a member of
the Deanery of the Chaplaincy, I have the double privilege of being a
member of the (Disbursed) Order of St. Alcuin and be with some of the
most inspiring men and women of our Dept. of Defense's Chaplains. In
that capacity, I have a small involvement in the Welcome Home
Initiative as an off-site Intercessor. Retreat #4 is currently occuring
in upstate NY.
the Deanery of the Chaplaincy, I have the double privilege of being a
member of the (Disbursed) Order of St. Alcuin and be with some of the
most inspiring men and women of our Dept. of Defense's Chaplains. In
that capacity, I have a small involvement in the Welcome Home
Initiative as an off-site Intercessor. Retreat #4 is currently occuring
in upstate NY.
The
Team there is most gracious in sharing their expertise with those
wanting to have a similar program in other location. A committee is in
formation in the Southeast to do just that. Discussions with a retreat
center is beginning. A systematic manner in which to form a team is
beginning to go from vision to paper. Interested individuals and
programs are being vetted.
Team there is most gracious in sharing their expertise with those
wanting to have a similar program in other location. A committee is in
formation in the Southeast to do just that. Discussions with a retreat
center is beginning. A systematic manner in which to form a team is
beginning to go from vision to paper. Interested individuals and
programs are being vetted.
The Holy Spirit is on the move among us in respect to this Ministry.
In
order to report the program in NY properly, I will actually quote from
the information page. The Welcome Home Initiative strives to:
Mission Statement order to report the program in NY properly, I will actually quote from
the information page. The Welcome Home Initiative strives to:
Our goal is to minister practically and prayerfully
to members of the Armed Forces and their families,
providing support and resources
to help them heal and thrive.
to members of the Armed Forces and their families,
providing support and resources
to help them heal and thrive.
An Outline of The Mission
To show our appreciation for the men, women, and families serving in the Armed Forces.
To
help those who have suffered trauma in combat, be it physical,
psychological, or spiritual, by providing ministry and resources for
health and healing.
help those who have suffered trauma in combat, be it physical,
psychological, or spiritual, by providing ministry and resources for
health and healing.
To preserve the confidentiality of every person.
To connect combat veterans with appropriate specialist agencies and resources including:
- Combat stress and trauma experts
- Critical incident debrief specialists
- Marriage and family life counselors
- Suicide prevention counselors
- Prayer teams
What Is Offered
A 3-5 Day Retreat for Members of the Armed Forces and Their Families
- Talks by Veterans and Trauma Specialists
- Discussion Groups
- Opportunities for Reflection and Healing Prayer
- 600 Beautiful Acres for Recreation and Relaxation
- Handicapped-Accessible Facilities
- Optional Marriage & Family Counseling"
The Scheduled format for their program is:
Day 1
• Arrival
• Free Time
• Opening Prayer
• Welcome
• Orientation
• Keynote Address
Day 2
• Clinical talk on PTSD
• Discussion Groups
• Healing of Memories
• Healing Prayer
• Free Time
Day 3
• Resources
• Free Time
• Healing Service
• Community Welcome
• Closing and Color Guard
Days 4 & 5 (Optional)
• Optional Marriage & Family Enrichment
• Recreation
• Personal Time"
• Free Time
• Opening Prayer
• Welcome
• Orientation
• Keynote Address
Day 2
• Clinical talk on PTSD
• Discussion Groups
• Healing of Memories
• Healing Prayer
• Free Time
Day 3
• Resources
• Free Time
• Healing Service
• Community Welcome
• Closing and Color Guard
Days 4 & 5 (Optional)
• Optional Marriage & Family Enrichment
• Recreation
• Personal Time"
In
order to replicate the key portions and implement situational/location
specific and staff/retreatant needs, we will both work with our fellow
CANA (Convocation of Anglicans in North America) friends currently
serving in the NY site and implement adaptions necessary for our
location.
order to replicate the key portions and implement situational/location
specific and staff/retreatant needs, we will both work with our fellow
CANA (Convocation of Anglicans in North America) friends currently
serving in the NY site and implement adaptions necessary for our
location.
By
utilizing their proven model with local adaptions, it would appear a
quality model will be implementable a within a short time. It should
be noted that within a short ride of the location of the leadership
team in the Southeast is:
utilizing their proven model with local adaptions, it would appear a
quality model will be implementable a within a short time. It should
be noted that within a short ride of the location of the leadership
team in the Southeast is:
Two major military installations
A Veteran's Medical Facility
Several Retreat Centers with quality rates/locations/multi-modal campuses and ample weekday availability
A major Airport (Atlanta) and several smaller municipal airports
and most importantly...... an emerging Retreat Team that considers this a ministerial call.
Please pray for and with us as we move forward with locating resources, including:
funding opportunities to allow us to offer this Ministry free of charge to the retreatants;
post retreat follow up resources including but not limited to both continued spiritual and emotional healing;
off-site Intercessors;
those called to assist in preparing the retreat center for retreatants arrival;
referral resources for potential attendee;
development of pre-attendance needs and post attendance follow up for the attendee;
and the list continues to be developed, always will include a special prayer for the
GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT in ALL we do, say, think and are.
The Welcome Home Initiative will come South
As a member of the Deanery of the Chaplaincy, I have the double privilege of being a member of the (Disbursed) Order of St. Alcuin and be with some of the most inspiring men and women of our Dept. of Defense's Chaplains. In that capacity, I have a small involvement in the Welcome Home Initiative as an off-site Intercessor. Retreat #4 is currently occuring in upstate NY.
The Team there is most gracious in sharing their expertise with those wanting to have a similar program in other location. A committee is in formation in the Southeast to do just that. Discussions with a retreat center is beginning. A systematic manner in which to form a team is beginning to go from vision to paper. Interested individuals and programs are being vetted.
The Holy Spirit is on the move among us in respect to this Ministry.
In order to report the program in NY properly, I will actually quote from the information page. The Welcome Home Initiative strives to:
Mission Statement Our goal is to minister practically and prayerfully
to members of the Armed Forces and their families,
providing support and resources
to help them heal and thrive.
to members of the Armed Forces and their families,
providing support and resources
to help them heal and thrive.
An Outline of The Mission
To show our appreciation for the men, women, and families serving in the Armed Forces.
To help those who have suffered trauma in combat, be it physical, psychological, or spiritual, by providing ministry and resources for health and healing.
To preserve the confidentiality of every person.
To connect combat veterans with appropriate specialist agencies and resources including:
- Combat stress and trauma experts
- Critical incident debrief specialists
- Marriage and family life counselors
- Suicide prevention counselors
- Prayer teams
What Is Offered
A 3-5 Day Retreat for Members of the Armed Forces and Their Families
- Talks by Veterans and Trauma Specialists
- Discussion Groups
- Opportunities for Reflection and Healing Prayer
- 600 Beautiful Acres for Recreation and Relaxation
- Handicapped-Accessible Facilities
- Optional Marriage & Family Counseling"
The Scheduled format for their program is:
Day 1
• Arrival
• Free Time
• Opening Prayer
• Welcome
• Orientation
• Keynote Address
Day 2
• Clinical talk on PTSD
• Discussion Groups
• Healing of Memories
• Healing Prayer
• Free Time
Day 3
• Resources
• Free Time
• Healing Service
• Community Welcome
• Closing and Color Guard
Days 4 & 5 (Optional)
• Optional Marriage & Family Enrichment
• Recreation
• Personal Time"
• Free Time
• Opening Prayer
• Welcome
• Orientation
• Keynote Address
Day 2
• Clinical talk on PTSD
• Discussion Groups
• Healing of Memories
• Healing Prayer
• Free Time
Day 3
• Resources
• Free Time
• Healing Service
• Community Welcome
• Closing and Color Guard
Days 4 & 5 (Optional)
• Optional Marriage & Family Enrichment
• Recreation
• Personal Time"
In order to replicate the key portions and implement situational/location specific and staff/retreatant needs, we will both work with our fellow CANA (Convocation of Anglicans in North America) friends currently serving in the NY site and implement adaptions necessary for our location.
By utilizing their proven model with local adaptions, it would appear a quality model will be implementable a within a short time. It should be noted that within a short ride of the location of the leadership team in the Southeast is:
Two major military installations
A Veteran's Medical Facility
Several Retreat Centers with quality rates/locations/multi-modal campuses and ample weekday availability
A major Airport (Atlanta) and several smaller municipal airports
and most importantly...... an emerging Retreat Team that considers this a ministerial call.
Please pray for and with us as we move forward with locating resources, including:
funding opportunities to allow us to offer this Ministry free of charge to the retreatants;
post retreat follow up resources including but not limited to both continued spiritual and emotional healing;
off-site Intercessors;
those called to assist in preparing the retreat center for retreatants arrival;
referral resources for potential attendee;
development of pre-attendance needs and post attendance follow up for the attendee;
and the list continues to be developed, always will include a special prayer for the
GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT in ALL we do, say, think and are.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
In the Company of Wise Women
This is intended to be an ongoing discussion of the many, many wise women that not only came before us, but those we "travel with" today. As I age, both women known personally and known by both the written word and other's oral traditions becomes increasingly significant to me.
There is an old saying that you "can never go home again". With all due respect, I disagree. In order to "come home", many of us did go apart. Some came back. Some never came back while others come home in spirit.
I live in another state, but have a new respect and honor for the women in my family. In researching, reading, studying and applying the concepts found about (Christian) women over time, my understanding of women both in my family of origin and before them had been transformed. Strength and Weakness is rarely defined within the context of both time/culture and situation/obligations. A woman who appears weak to us today, when exploring "their world", a completely different conclusion may appear. Such was the case as I have journeyed through both my genetic DNA and my Spiritual (Christian) DNA.
I hope you choose to join me.
The journey was/is exciting. New paradyms continue to break forth as I pray, ponder, listen and write. A journey that began in a desperate attempt to find "strong DNA" that would assure me I could fight some hereditary or genetically prone disorders, has become a delightful search. The search that resulted in my hypothesis being proved. Somehow, down deep, it appeared I came from "a long line of strong women". At the time, subjective feelings fought that idea. That theory, however, in the final analysis (thuss far) was validated and expanded. To get to that validation, I had to go far away from the family information I had and lived. I had to look to women of faith that went back to the grandmother of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
So, as I write my blurb on where I was, emotionally, physically and spiritually, join me in logging your journey. Where are you today in relationship to your family of origin? What woundedness dots your/their personal history? What absolutes do you believe about the women in your family? I invite you to privately journal your history, whether healthy or unhealthy.
Let the journey continue. . . . .
There is an old saying that you "can never go home again". With all due respect, I disagree. In order to "come home", many of us did go apart. Some came back. Some never came back while others come home in spirit.
I live in another state, but have a new respect and honor for the women in my family. In researching, reading, studying and applying the concepts found about (Christian) women over time, my understanding of women both in my family of origin and before them had been transformed. Strength and Weakness is rarely defined within the context of both time/culture and situation/obligations. A woman who appears weak to us today, when exploring "their world", a completely different conclusion may appear. Such was the case as I have journeyed through both my genetic DNA and my Spiritual (Christian) DNA.
I hope you choose to join me.
The journey was/is exciting. New paradyms continue to break forth as I pray, ponder, listen and write. A journey that began in a desperate attempt to find "strong DNA" that would assure me I could fight some hereditary or genetically prone disorders, has become a delightful search. The search that resulted in my hypothesis being proved. Somehow, down deep, it appeared I came from "a long line of strong women". At the time, subjective feelings fought that idea. That theory, however, in the final analysis (thuss far) was validated and expanded. To get to that validation, I had to go far away from the family information I had and lived. I had to look to women of faith that went back to the grandmother of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
So, as I write my blurb on where I was, emotionally, physically and spiritually, join me in logging your journey. Where are you today in relationship to your family of origin? What woundedness dots your/their personal history? What absolutes do you believe about the women in your family? I invite you to privately journal your history, whether healthy or unhealthy.
Let the journey continue. . . . .
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Strength For the Journey Retreat
Strength For the Journey
March 27-29, 2009
Blessed Trinity Shrine Retreat Center
Phenix City, Alabama
Everyone Welcome
This retreat is open to people
of all ages and stages of life,
functioning in all sorts of
roles—as patients, caretakers,
retirees, multi‐tasking working
mothers, single career women,
and family homemakers. If you
or someone you love has faced
cancer or some other difficult
disease, loss, or stressor, you
may find it particularly helpful.
What to Expect
The retreat will include large
group presentations on various
topics as well as contemplative
exercises, times of singing and
small group sharing. While
people of all faith traditions or
nontraditions are welcome,
this retreat will focus on how
participants can grow in their
Christian faith even in the
midst of suffering.
Purpose
The retreat is created to help
each person find strength and
support for her particular life
journey. It is our hope that
each person will become
increasingly connected with
our deeply loving God as well
as with a community of other
caring believers.
RETREAT LEADERS
This 5th annual retreat will be led by a
This 5th annual retreat will be led by a
team of experienced Christian retreat
leaders and past participants. Over the
years, this group has included:
Laura Fletcher Henry, cancer survivor
and small group leader at Trinity
Lutheran Church in Auburn.
Julia Malenke, former Christian
Education director with a background in
elementary education and youth
ministry and counseling.
Kate Martin, OSA, clinical social worker,
Anglican priest , and spiritual
companion.
Anne Vertrees, spiritual director and
former police officer.
Dr. Beth Fletcher Brokaw, Christian
psychologist and adjunct professor at
Biola University in California who has
battled breast cancer for sixteen years.
Anne Fletcher Grizzle, Texas
psychotherapist, consultant, workshop
leader, spiritual director, and author of
four books.
Nancy Penaskovic, founder of the
Hospice Program at East Alabama Medical Center
leaders and past participants. Over the
years, this group has included:
Laura Fletcher Henry, cancer survivor
and small group leader at Trinity
Lutheran Church in Auburn.
Julia Malenke, former Christian
Education director with a background in
elementary education and youth
ministry and counseling.
Kate Martin, OSA, clinical social worker,
Anglican priest , and spiritual
companion.
Anne Vertrees, spiritual director and
former police officer.
Dr. Beth Fletcher Brokaw, Christian
psychologist and adjunct professor at
Biola University in California who has
battled breast cancer for sixteen years.
Anne Fletcher Grizzle, Texas
psychotherapist, consultant, workshop
leader, spiritual director, and author of
four books.
Nancy Penaskovic, founder of the
Hospice Program at East Alabama Medical Center
Registration form – Strength for the Journey retreat – March 27-29, 2009
Name: ___________________________________ Phone: __________________________
Address: ___________________________________ E-mail: __________________________
___________________________________
Special needs: ___________________________________________________________________
Please enclose a check for $140 return to: Auburn United Methodist Church
payable to: Strength for the Journey P.O. Box 3135, Auburn, AL 36831
(includes a $35 non-refundable deposit) Attn: Ann Moss
Your cancelled check is confirmation. If you wish additional confirmation of your registration or have any questions, please call Laura at
(334) 750-0875 or Kate at (334)332-7729. Call if you need a discount due to financial hardship. Fee covers meals, housing and materials.
Any additional offering is gratefully appreciated. Please sign up early as enrollment is limited,
Name: ___________________________________ Phone: __________________________
Address: ___________________________________ E-mail: __________________________
___________________________________
Special needs: ___________________________________________________________________
Please enclose a check for $140 return to: Auburn United Methodist Church
payable to: Strength for the Journey P.O. Box 3135, Auburn, AL 36831
(includes a $35 non-refundable deposit) Attn: Ann Moss
Your cancelled check is confirmation. If you wish additional confirmation of your registration or have any questions, please call Laura at
(334) 750-0875 or Kate at (334)332-7729. Call if you need a discount due to financial hardship. Fee covers meals, housing and materials.
Any additional offering is gratefully appreciated. Please sign up early as enrollment is limited,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)