Being Trauma-Informed within Ourselves, Our Leadership, and Our Congregations
Trauma seems to be everywhere these days. And is there more trauma now than in the past? Even before the pandemic, clergy were reaching out to LeaderWise for support on how to deal with the waves of trauma in their congregations. They came with stories and questions like…
How do I support a new member who courageously confided their past abuse to me?
How do we create safe spaces to support children who are experiencing collective trauma from mass shootings (even if that trauma is experienced at a distance)?
How does my worship team respond when a member tells us that the Scripture reading, a traditional ritual or hymn, or the stories we tell in our reflections were activating or re-traumatizing?
How do I accompany a community enduring traumatic loss, when the events also stir up my own shock and grief?
LeaderWise knows firsthand how faith leaders are often on the “front lines” of trauma, no matter where they are serving: congregations, hospitals, education, city streets, or corporations. It’s why LeaderWise created our Trauma-Informed Ministry Series. Over the course of four (2-hour) workshops spanning two days, we will equip faith leaders with knowledge and best practices to be present in a trauma-informed way to those who are significantly struggling.
Wednesday, May 8, 10 am - 12 pm CT: Trauma-informed Ministry as Leaders in Your Parish
The series kicks off with Dr. Caroline Burke, Licensed Psychologist, addressing how congregations can be both more supportive and safe-r spaces for those who have experienced trauma. In this session, Dr. Burke lays the foundation of how to understand and recognize trauma. She introduces how a trauma-informed approach involves being attuned to the ways in which a person's life context and lived experience may shape how they are able to receive care or to experience safety and connection.
Wednesday, May 8, 1 pm - 3 pm CT: Religion, the Bible, and Spiritual Trauma
Facilitated by Rev. Laura Beth Buchleiter, this workshop examines the potential impact of translations and interpretations of scripture on trauma survivors and the risk of desensitization or normalization of traumatizing topics through biblical stories. We also examine the power dynamics that are inherent in religious culture and sacred texts.
Thursday, May 9, 10 am - 12 pm CT: Trauma and Grief
Dr. Joanna Quanbeck, Licensed Psychologist, will explore what it means to bring a trauma-informed approach to working with grief. We know that loss and grief are part of life–often intensely difficult, though not always traumatic. Yet for some people and some situations, grief can be closely intertwined with trauma. It may be that there are not enough internal or external resources to meet the intensity of the loss, or a loss may bring earlier trauma to the surface. Also, the work of recovering from trauma often carries layers of grief. This session explores how we can equip and steady ourselves when responding to another person's grief.
Thursday, May 9, 1 pm - 3 pm CT: Intersectionality, Oppression, and Complex Trauma
Rev. Buchleiter returns to help us understand complex trauma and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) through the work of Bessel van der Kolk in The Body Keeps the Score. Then we will use two texts, My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem and Legacy by Suzanne Methot, to explore the impact of racism in Black and Brown bodies and communities. We will conclude with a review of practices to help individuals and communities return to regulation and manage community trauma more effectively.
LeaderWise is offering this workshop series for a $135 registration fee ($300 value). Register here. If you feel that $135 is not possible, please contact us so we can ensure access to all who are interested.Contact us to inquire about a group discount for participants from the same organization.
