It has been a tough couple of years dealing with the effects and challenges of a pandemic that has upended every aspect of life, a pandemic that is not over.  It has not only been tough but can also be described as being “traumatic.” The trauma of these past two years has affected all of us. 

 

Each Thursday, the Conference of Bishops gathers by zoom for conversation and support, for presentations and learning. One of the best presenters has been Betsy Stone, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, teacher, and facilitator. She was educated at Yale and taught at Hebrew Union College. She gave two presentations that were absolutely excellent and incredibly helpful in understanding what has happened to our bodies and brains during these last two years. Her first presentation was “The Effect of Trauma on the Brain and Body.”  The second presentation was on “Growth from Trauma.”  These presentations, which were very engaging, gave me some important and helpful insights which I would like to share with you. We have permission to share her presentations with all of you.

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We will be gathering by zoom on Thursday, February 10 and February 24  from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. to listen to the presentation (the first hour)  and then have our conversation to process what we have heard and how we are experiencing the effects of trauma in our own lives and the lives of our congregations. The links to the zoom gatherings AND the video presentations are below. You can join us at 1:00 p.m. to listen together OR you can view the video on your own and log in at 2:00 p.m. for the conversation. There is no registration.  Just join us if you can.

 

I want to personally commend these opportunities to you.  I can’t emphasize how helpful I found them and believe both the videos and the opportunity to talk with one another, will be invaluable to you as well. Please reach out with any questions. Blessings on us all as we continue to navigate through the trauma of these days.

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The Rev. Susan Candea, Bishop

Central States Synod, ELCA