Trauma Healing – Preparing Churches to Receive Returning Military Personnel
“It will take courage to listen to him and patience,” said the Rev. Laura Bender, a United Methodist Navy chaplain. “Refrain from giving easy answers. Remember your love for him transcends your position on war.”
On April 1-2, 2009, JustPeace hosted it’s Annual Gathering on the topic of Trauma Healing and preparing churches and church leaders in welcoming returning military personnel. The event which was sponsored in partnership with the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) took place in Nashville, TN.
Below you will find resources, articles, liturgies and links that were shared during the 2009 event, as well as updated additions we have gathered more recently from the event participants.
The Rev. Laura Bender, UMNS photos by Kathy L. Gilbert.
The 2009 Annual Gathering leaders
- Keynote Speaker Biographies (.pdf)
- Panel Biographies (.pdf)
News
UMNS: Churches need courage to welcome warriors
UMNS: Many stuck in ‘Holy Saturday,’ professor says
Articles
- The Visitor – Laura J. Bender
- Saturday in New Orleans: Rethinking the Holy Spirit in the Aftermath of Trama – Shelly Rambo (.pdf)
- Military ministers serve all need, says Chaplain – Mallory McCall
- Congregational Care for Deployed Service Members and their Families (UMEA)
- From Warrior to Citizen - Chaplain John Morris
- War and the Soul: Healing our Nation’s veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Rev. J. Paul Womack
Resources
Shelly Rambo, professor at Boston University School of Theology, UMNS photos by Kathy L. Gilbert.
- Bibliography
- Supporting Military Members and their Families: A Directory of Organizations and Online Resources - compiled by Chaplain Laura Bender
- How to Speak Military – compiled by Chaplain Laura Bender
- How churches can help service members and their families (GBHEM) (.pdf)
- Chaplain Mike Charles Speaks at August 2011 GBHEM Board Meeting (video)
- UM Navy Chaplain John Miyahara’s story (video)
- Honorable Ideas for Supporting Military Families – Vicki Brown
- Wounded Warrior Brochure (.pdf)
- Wounded Warrior – Religious Ministry Team Fact Sheet
- Powerpoint presentation – Chaplain Laura Bender (.ppt)
- Chaplain Laura Bender presentation to JustPeace Annual Gathering
Liturgies
- Opening Worship (from the Annual Gathering)
- Holy Communion (from the Annual Gathering)
- An Order For Welcoming Service Members Returning From War
- An order for blessing service members deploying for war
Links
- General Board of Higher Education and Ministry links and resources
- Wounded Warriors Regiment
- Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: How churches can help solders and their families readjust after combat (On Being - The Soul of War w/ Chaplain John Morris – podcast, transcript, reflections and more)
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