Dear people of the Northwest Intermountain Synod,
It seems to me that we live in rather intense times. A few weeks back – about the time the primaries were coming up in Idaho – I was driving through the streets of Post Falls, ID listening to the news on the radio. It was speaking about the divisiveness in our current political and public culture. I couldn’t help but notice the over-abundance of all the campaign signs, some bigger than others; some making absolute (and seemingly divisive) claims. Those signs combined with the news droning on equated to this overwhelming sense of urgency and intensity. It felt like all the decisions I made and would make; all the actions I would and would not do held immense consequence. Upon reflection, I can understand how such a feeling might be experienced as empowering – giving me the sense that I might be able to make a difference. That, however, was not what it felt like in the moment. Instead, it felt paralyzing and crushing because of the intensity of it all.
HAVEN – Wellness for Rostered Leaders of the NWIM Synod is a relatively new initiative in our Synod. The goal of HAVEN is to create just that: a haven – a place of refuge, safety – so that rostered leaders can step back from the intensity of life and ministry in order to think more expansively and less reactively. This place of safety is created through meeting monthly in small groups with a facilitator. The clearer thinking comes through processing life and ministry using a lens of Bowen family systems theory. Participants explore how their families function and how that functioning informs and influences present day interactions and decisions. It should be noted that even though the hope is that HAVEN creates a place of safety, this refuge is not necessarily a place of rest. As one Bowen family systems presenter commonly states, exploring how your family functions is a “work-out.” Similar to physical exercise, this emotional work-out is one that tends to pay dividends as it is practiced.
Registration is now open for September - May series.