Trauma-informed Ministry in a time of COVID, delivered by the Tragedy and Congregations Team:The Revd Dr Carla Grosch-MillerThe Revd Hilary IsonProfessor Christopher Southgate.Since 2017 the team has delivered 20 training days in various se
Systemic facilitator and trainer Revd Hilary Ison offers further insights gained from her work as part of the Tragedy and Congregations team.Stress is exhaustingAs we ease out of lockdown, I wonder what your reaction was when it was announced that ch
*Spouse: in the context of this paper I am using the term spouse to refer to, and be inclusive of, the diversity of partnerships which exist through being in relationship with a member of the clergy. Clergy mental wellbeing has, for some time, gather
Helen Averill, who runs the Clergy Transitions Service, reflects on change and transition in relation to the effect of the Covid pandemic and the process of adjustment and gradual moving forward.TransitionNoun: the process or a period of changin
St Lukes Virtual Clergy Wellbeing ProgrammeUnderstanding the body: A Christian approach to managing anxiety In the second of this series of reflections on managing anxiety, Michle Hampson shows us how we can incorporate a spiritual dimension into sim
After so many weeks of being constricted, and of fearing the possibility of an unseen but life- threatening virus, it is no surprise that feelings run high some days. Our internal limbic brain systems have been functioning on high alert, and the natu
Michele Hampson shows how creating a safe space can help us respond to stress and anxiety, starting with an understanding of our natural biological reactions. A safe space is one we can picture in detail and that we associate with a sense of peace. I
St Lukes Virtual Clergy Wellbeing ProgrammeHere be dragonsSystemic facilitator and trainer Revd Hilary Ison shares reflections on responses to trauma to help us navigate these challenging times.On a walk recently I was very glad of a map I had with m
For many people the idea of change is very threatening and a source of fear, even when there may also be some excitement involved too. Both positive and negative changes can be sources of stress. Our diocese is seeing many changes right now, with the
Every Life Matters has produced a guide to maintaining your mental health and wellbeing during Covid-19. It includes advice on working from home, creating a routine, beating anxiety, managing stress, coping mechanisms, a wellbeing plan, and how
I Get Knocked Down but I Get Up Again CHUMBAWAMBAResilient people are not superhuman! Like each one of us, they face suffering in this life in its varied forms. They are not immune to the full range of human experience or emotion. They live it, just
I wonder if youve ever read a book and wished you had written it!! This was my experience with the recent The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry How I wish I had written this, encapsulating research, contemporary cultural analysis, wisdom from the ancient
Theres a great picture on Facebook the outline of a head, with an internal repeating Help me, help me filling the space and an external No really, Im fine! Many of us know those conversations. We ask how someone is and hear Im fine even when were pre
Discipline can be a dirty word for many of us. It may imply wrongdoing, being in trouble, or some form of punishment. The origins of this seem to come from old French, around 1300. Maybe we forget the root is that of being a learner, a follower, wher
I wonder if the profusion of days and weeks dedicated to any and every cause find their origins in Christian festivals and Feast Days - special days to remember and focus our thoughts. Recently it was Mental Health week, and so many methods of commun
The power of words to build up, or to destroy, has been so evident in recent months. Our whole society has been faced with raging words, dishonest words, destructive words and personal attacks. Words have power: whether spoken to another, or to ourse
I love it when modern psychology and the scriptures coincide so clearly! We shouldnt be surprised, but too often we can separate them and sever connection. Pauls letters are full of gratitude, no more so than in Philippians, where the tone is one of
When does your year begin? Perhaps its is the liturgical year and Advent marks the start. Perhaps it is the traditional January 1st turnover point, or perhaps, like many, the grip of the academic model means that September kicks off the sense of newn
Human beings are designed for companionship. It is not good for us to be alone too much, but as our ageing and fractured society goes on it seems that far too many experience deep loneliness. Within the body of Christs church this need not be a signi
Wellbeing seems to be the latest trendy concept a need to focus on how we best function and live with ourselves and one another at a time when anxiety and poor mental health appear to be on the increase. Shalom is an ancient Hebrew word, frequ