SLT Workshops
Registrants will choose three workshops held Tuesday afternoon, January 22 and Wednesday morning and afternoon, January 23. Choose one from each time slot before going to the registration website.
Tuesday Afternoon, January 22, 1:45-3:15 p.m.
An Experiential Introduction to Gestalt Pastoral Care – Tilda Norberg
Learn some Gestalt tools that may increase your pastoral skills and help you discover next steps in God’s continual invitation to grow toward wholeness.
Tilda Norberg is the founder of Gestalt Pastoral Care, and as a United Methodist minister she is appointed by her bishop to the ministry of Gestalt Pastoral Care. For six years she taught theory and practice at the New Institute for Gestalt Therapy in Manhattan. Since 1968 she has led many spiritual growth retreats and training workshops, and has maintained her private practice in Staten Island, NY. She loves playing the violin and playing with her grandchildren.
Compassionate Listening – Carolyn Holderread Heggen and Rhoda Shenk Keener
Members of congregations more often turn to each other than to outside professionals for support in times of emotional pain. Compassionate listening is a powerful tool for healing we can offer each other.
This workshop will explore the key components of listening that heals. It will focus on identifying in ourselves and others the powerful and sometimes unconscious stories that hold great power over us and our relationship with our selves, with others and with God. Participants will learn how to identify toxic stories that emphasize helplessness and hopelessness and how to listen and respond in ways that help transform them into healing stories that empower for joyful and abundant living.
Carolyn Heggen is a psychotherapist specializing in trauma recovery. She is the author of Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches and the editor and co-author of Sister Care: Equipping Women for Caring Ministry.
Rhoda Keener is a mental health counselor and co-director of Mennonite Women USA. Since 2010 Carolyn and Rhoda have co-presented the Sister Care seminar throughout the United States and in India and Nepal.
The Road to “True Happiness” – John Wenger, DO
Our mental and emotional health is influenced by many factors. Too often, the challenges of depression and anxiety can arise without warning leaving an individual with a sense of having no control within themselves or of the world around them. Other times, people live with challenges of mental illness for extended periods of time like an unwanted companion. For others, it may be the never-ending battle to find happiness and joy in life. Most of us know what good emotional health feels like, but how do we achieve and maintain that state amidst the stressors of life?
Dr. Wenger believes it is a process that requires awareness, knowledge, and practice. In this workshop, a foundation will be developed for attaining and sustaining optimum emotional health. Ways to achieve “true happiness” by engaging all of our being in the process will be discussed. Come with an open mind and spirit to discover these truths together.
John Wenger, DO practices Integrative Medicine at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, VA.
Living Toward a Vision: Brokenness, Shalom & the Reign of God – Mark Thiessen Nation
How can God’s shalom and the reign of God aid our pastors and churches in responding to both sudden and relentless suffering and brokenness? How can we live toward the coming Kingdom when the whole creation groans, when tortured bodies groan without relief? To aid our wrestling with these complex questions, we will borrow insights from Episcopal priest Kathryn Greene-McCreight, whose personal journey with mental illness (bi-polar disorder) compelled her to write Darkness is My Only Companion; and from the illuminating theology of Duke University Hospital psychiatrist Warren Kinghorn.
Mark Thiessen Nation has been a child protective services social worker, a pastor, founding director of a Christian peace and justice organization, and the director of the London Mennonite Centre, London, England. Presently he is Professor of Theology at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Mark has a Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary, is the author or co-author of three books and the editor or co-editor of seven books. His most recent book, to be published in 2013 by Baker Academic press, is Bonhoeffer the Assassin? Mark is married and has two adult married children and one grandchild.
Circles of Care: Supportive Churches – Brenda Long and/or Ann Grosh
Would you like to learn how your church can be more supportive of individuals and families in your congregation and your community who are struggling with mental health issues? As a congregation, relating to a member who has mental illness may seem confusing, awkward and complicated at times. Caring as a team is more manageable and effective. Circles of Care is designed to provide information and support so that churches can be better equipped to support individuals with mental health concerns. Learn practical steps to create a Circle of Care around an individual or family in your congregation.
Brenda lives in Landisville, PA with her husband and five children. She previously served, with her husband Daryl, as part of an Eastern Mennonite Missions church planting team in Birmingham, AL. Brenda earned a Masters in Social Work degree from Temple University and an undergraduate degree in Social Work from Eastern Mennonite University. She also is credentialed as a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner. Brenda has a passion for serving persons struggling with mental illness. She serves as Executive Director of No Longer Alone Ministries in Lancaster, PA. NLAM serves individuals, families and congregations that are struggling with mental illness. NLAM is a fraternal member of Atlantic Coast and Lancaster Mennonite Conferences.
Trauma-Informed Ministry when Hard Things Happen – in Congregations and Communities – Carolyn Yoder and Elaine Zook Barge
The need for trauma-informed clergy, chaplains, care teams and Sunday school teachers is important in today’s world as many individuals and groups impacted by violence, conflict and trauma often look to the church as a resource. Ten years ago, the STAR program (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience) of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at EMU was created as a resource for religious leaders and caregivers dealing with trauma in their communities. This workshop will address the impact of trauma on the body, brain and behavior and how it manifests in times of congregational conflicts, tragedy or high stress. The workshop will highlight tools and processes for addressing trauma and for breaking unhealthy cycles of response that prevent healing or reconciliation.
Carolyn Yoder was the STAR director during the first 5 years of the program, 2002-2006. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and professional counselor. She has lived and worked in the Middle East, Asia and Africa and is a STAR trainer.
Elaine Zook Barge is the current STAR director (2006 –present). During the 80’s and 90’s, she worked in conflict zones in Central America with Mennonite Central Committee and observed firsthand war, poverty, trauma and resilience. She also facilitates STAR trainings domestically and internationally.
Wrestling With Angels – Lora Carter Nafziger
The leader of this workshop desires to provide churches with encouragement and support for ministering to those living with mental health needs and others who may absorb substantial energy and resources from a congregation. “I am particularly interested in the ways that we as a church lose out on the gifts that are available through long-term relationships with people,” says Carter Nafziger. “We need to figure out ways to set healthy boundaries, stay in relationship with others, and learn how to be church together in a sustainable way.”
Lora Carter Nafziger holds M.Div. and LCSW degrees. She is currently a clinical social worker for Oaklawn Psychiatric Center is Goshen, Indiana.
Erosion and Earthquakes: Understanding Depression and Anxiety – Pam Reese Comer
Two of the most prevalent mental health issues we face in our society are depression and anxiety. This workshop will provide a basic understanding of these situations, ways people can care for themselves and ways churches can walk alongside someone else with these experiences. An informed and supportive congregation makes a difference.
Pam Reese Comer is director of counseling services at EMU and a graduate of the EMU master of arts in counseling program and JMU master of education in counseling program. She is a licensed professional counselor and also has a private practice called Horizons Consultation and Counseling. On her publication materials for both EMU Counseling Center and her private practice Pam states “If you find a counselor you trust, you can change your life”. She believes the therapeutic alliance is the safe and sacred context needed for healing and that a common denominator exists …. core lies that keep us from feeling whole and accessing the truth. It is that inner knowing that is the foundation of her approach to therapy.
Cultural Perceptions on Mental Health Issues – Ijeoma Achara
Persons of non-caucasian cultures sometimes view issues of mental health with different expectations and through a different lens. Ijeoma will explore these areas and suggest ways for ministering persons to be aware of them.
Ijeoma Achara consults with state and local government entities as well as provider organizations regarding the provision of recovery oriented care and the development of recovery oriented systems of care. Prior to her consultation activities, Dr. Achara served as the Director of Strategic Planning at the Department of Behavioral Heath and Mental Retardation Services (DBH/MRS) where she was responsible for leading the transformation of Philadelphia’s behavioral health system into a recovery oriented system of care. Her responsibilities were broad in scope, and in addition to managing the change process, she developed strategies to increase the leadership of people in recovery, changed clinical practices in the system, developed peer based recovery support services,identified and modified policies that were inconsistent with a recovery orientation and developed new initiatives that advanced the transformation process.
Wednesday Morning, January 23, 10:30-Noon
The Family and the Brain: An Integrated Circuit– Kenton Derstine
“Honor Your Father and Your Mother, So that Your Days May be Long in the Land.” Exodus 20:12 Very few of us as adults have learned to see our family of origin—the family that we grew up in that continues the generations of family that preceded us—-as a resource to our own physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. It is apparent that the Hebrew and Jewish traditions did so. The commandment to “honor one’s father and mother” is the only commandment with a promise of wellbeing attached. This workshop will examine the Hebrew concept of the family and the practices that embodied this honoring and perceived to be life-giving. Furthermore, recent research on how family relationship processes shape brain functioning and the general well-being of children will be explored.
Kenton Derstine is a professor at Eastern Mennonite Seminary and directs the Clinical Pastoral Education program. He is knowlegeable in the field of Bowen Family Systems.
Transforming Loss and Grief – Carolyn Holderread Heggen and Rhoda Shenk Keener (Wed Morn)
Loss and grief are inevitable realities of life. If not named and healed, life’s cumulative losses can result in numbness of heart or bitterness of spirit that affect entire families, congregations, and communities. How can congregations become a safe place of healing? How can we help each other find meaning in our suffering? How can congregations provide the kind of care to those who suffer that will make the difference between becoming embittered or paralyzed by grief and having grief and suffering transformed into motivating energy to become the face and hands of Jesus for others who suffer?
Carolyn Heggen is a psychotherapist specializing in trauma recovery. She is the author of Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches and the editor and co-author of Sister Care: Equipping Women for Caring Ministry.
Rhoda Keener is a mental health counselor and co-director of Mennonite Women USA. Since 2010 Carolyn and Rhoda have co-presented the Sister Care seminar throughout the United States and in India and Nepal.
When Healing Does Not Happen– Dave Gullman
Dave will tell his personal journey with a daughter with Down Syndrome who developed seizures when she was 17 years old. We will then explore the theological questions that are raised when healing does not happen. Where do we turn when God does not answer our prayers for healing in the ways we want? Is God unable to heal or does God choose not to heal? How does our image of God line up with the biblical witness of an incarnate God?
As we question where to turn when healing does not happen we will begin to imagine the church as a place of refuge where hard questions can be asked, where doubt can be expressed, and where those who suffer are embraced rather than excluded. Perhaps we will then be able to begin to imagine the church as healing space in new ways.
Dave Gullman lives in Broadway, VA with his wife, Debbie and 2 children, John and Hannah. He grew up in Ethiopia, worked with MCC in Chad and Ethiopia and then found himself relocating to the USA when Hannah was born with Down syndrome. He received his theological training at EMS and received his degree in 2000. He has been a pastor to people with disabilities at Pleasant View, Inc. for 12 years. He also currently serves as co-pastor at Crossroads Mennonite Church in Timberville, VA.
One Family’s Journey With Mental Illness – Earl and Pat Martin
Earl and Pat will share their family’s story of the trauma – even the terror — of a mental health crisis, the years of learning, and the eventual discovery of new sensitivity – even blessing – that has come to their family and community in this journey.
They are open to any questions, such as:
- How can we support families in a mental health crisis?
- How should we talk with such families? Will I say the wrong thing?
- What if mental health issues and drug/alcohol issues come together?
- What is the role of theology/prayer in mental health issues?
- What financial ramifications lie in this journey?
- Are there really elements of “blessedness” and “goodness” in this journey?
Earl & Pat Hostetter Martin worked with the Mennonite Central Committee for twenty years, living in Vietnam during the war and in the Philippines, and then administering the MCC programs in Southeast Asia from a base in Akron, PA. When their youngest son became ill, their lives and work, of necessity, changed focus. They now live in Harrisonburg, VA, where Pat is a hospital chaplain and Earl is a carpenter.
An Experiential Introduction to Gestalt Pastoral Care – Tilda Norberg
(Click on title for previous description and biographical information.)
The Road to ‘True Happiness’ – John Wenger, DO
(Click on title for previous description and biographical information.)
Wednesday Afternoon, January 23, 1:45-3:15 p.m.
Click on title of each workshop to see previous description and biographical information.