Leadership and Spiritual Life Newsletter
March 2021
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Leadership in 2021:
Ministry Under the Shadow of a Pandemic
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Take a break in the action/reaction of 2021! |
Join us for a webinar facilitated by Rev. Bill Selby, the founder of the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness will help us understand congregations as emotional systems, the impact of anxiety on us and our faith communities, and some implications to consider as you, the leader, respond to parishioners, colleagues, and the anxiety in which we live. (see below for more webinar details)
- Date: April 13, 2021 Zoom meeting
- Time: 9:30 -11:30 a.m. Central time
- Format: Zoom
- Cost: $25 per person
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Chris's blog:
Anxiety Amped Up to “Eleven”
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I thought he was about to hit me! His face was red. His voice was loud. He was invading my personal space. The veins in his neck were even popping out! He said it was because I did not use the pronoun “He” when I talked about God in worship. When I suggested, perhaps I could use both “He” and “She” I thought his head would explode! I decided to refrain from sharing my strong belief that God did not have genitalia.
Still, in my younger days, I did like to poke the raw nerve, go to battle, win the argument. Today, not so much.
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Virtual Clergy Pods:
Clergy Leading and Learning Together!
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This is a challenging time to be a religious leader. Clergy and congregations have been pressed to adapt and create new ways of caring and staying connected. At the same time, the level of anxiety of nearly everyone around them has been amped up to eleven!
Yes, this is a difficult time. However, there is no need to keep pushing ahead alone.
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How's your spirit growing?
Explore PrairieFire -
Open House!
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Do you desire a more meaningful life enriched by a deepening spiritual awareness, new ways of building and contributing to community, or living authentically in an increasingly challenging and unpredictable world? Consider applying for PrairieFire. A new class will be forming in the fall of 2021, and we will begin accepting applications in January, 2021. Please contact Andrea Severson with questions or to register for an open house:
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Pastoral Care Specialist Program |
This two-year course is designed for clergy, parish nurses, Stephen ministers, chaplains and others involved in pastoral care ministries. Meeting monthly, participants learn about areas critical to effective pastoral care, and receive support, encouragement and consultation on their work. Participants will reinforce what they already do well and integrate new knowledge and skills into their ministries.
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Don’t “do a survey”. . . get a CAT!
Does your congregation want to know essential and reliable information to make the right decisions?
Don’t “do a survey.” Get a CAT!
The insight from the Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT) gives congregations the “big picture” of what is happening as well as guidance about where to spend more, or less, time and energy. It also helps leaders discern between “growing pains” and the seeds of unhealthy conflict.
The CAT assesses the overall health and vitality of congregations, to:
- measure the level of community satisfaction and energy
- identify the critical success factors for improving organizational climate
- envision the future
- gauge readiness for change
- uncover potential resources
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Supervision for Spiritual Directors |
The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center is pleased to to support spiritual directors in our community by offering individual spiritual direction supervision services. All of the spiritual directors on our staff have participated in supervision training and are available for supervision and consultation.
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Start your healing process today.
Life can be stressful. If you are struggling to cope, or the symptoms of your stress or anxiety won’t go away, it could affect your health. Click below to begin the intake process and see a counselor who can help.
The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center is offering secure, HIPAA compliant virtual mental health services through telehealth. Our clinicians are trained and prepared to provide high quality counseling, psychiatry and spiritual direction — which you may access from your home or other place of quarantine.
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No money?
No insurance?
No problem.
We can help!
Click image to access a printer-friendly flyer to share with your community.
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Spiritual Directors International
2021 Conference
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April 20-25, 2021
Learn more about and register for SDI's 2021 conference.
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Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
live online
Spring cycle: starts March 25, 2021
** Register early and save $25 on tuition. Enter EARLYBIRD coupon code, for a limited time only.
- Increase focus and creativity
- Decrease stress and anxiety
- Regulate emotion
Are you ready to live life as if it really matters, to release what no longer benefits you and tap into your own innate resources for strength and resilience? Space is limited.
Continuing Education credit available for:
- Clergy and spiritual directors
- Mental health professionals and social workers
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Teachers / Educators in Iowa - Through Heartland AEA
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Support group for survivors of suicide loss - live online
If you've lost a loved one to suicide and need support, please contact Andrea Severson at aseverson@dmpcc.org.
This support group is offered on the third Tuesday of the month as a free community service, with thanks to generous supporters of the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center.
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John Swinton: Helping Christians with mental health issues starts with better language |
Those with severe mental health issues are often misunderstood by people of faith, but churches have a responsibility to listen to and see each person as a person, says a professor and author.
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Leadership and Spiritual Life Services |
The Center’s Leadership and Spiritual Life programs offers opportunities for individuals, faith communities, pastors, professionals and others who seek
Spiritual enrichment, such as PrairieFire
Professional development
Clergy and congregational consultation
Suicide awareness, prevention and support group
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Your partner in hope and healing,
Chris Waddle, M.Div.
Director of Leadership and Spiritual Life
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center
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