Monday, July 30, 2012

Fwd: Battered but Not Broken Support Letter



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Roberta Smith <revberta@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, Jul 28, 2012 at 1:02 AM
Subject: Battered but Not Broken Support Letter
To: "cbma@yahoogroups.com" <cbma@yahoogroups.com>



Members and Friends of the Charleston Black Ministerial Alliance
Greetings in the Joy of our Lord
 
Thanks be to God for deliverance from the darkness of recent power outages that plagued so many communities across our state and nation. In such crisis it is marvelous to see people coming together to create places of refuge and relief. However, there are still so many who struggle daily with the darkness of domestic violence, a growing menace among us.
 
Recently I appealed for your support of Battered But Not Broken, a theatrical production written by Charleston's own Cynthia Wilson who was a victim of domestic violence and whose niece was shot at point-blank range at a Taco Bell in 2008. More recently Jahlil Clements, 11, of Malden, was struck and killed as he tried to flag down someone to help his mother who was being beaten by her boyfriend. Such events grieve our hearts us but call us to action.
 
My Installation as the first female President of the CBMA was indeed a historic moment. But the time has come for us to take a decisive stand with the victims of domestic violence and against this social epidemic.   We can do this in two ways.
 
First, by supporting the Charleston Premiere of "Battered But Not Broken" on August 24 and 25 by purchasing tickets or making a contributions to the Souvenir Journal (see attached forms). Also, by announcements from the pulpit, through church bulletins, etc. Some tickets at $5.00 discount off the Box Office price are still available from Cynthia Wilson (304-610-2207).
But beyond this, I challenge us commit to this cause beyond the Premiere.  Many of you have noticed that African-Americans are high profile in tragedies of domestic violence reported in the media. Yet our presence is marginal at the table of organizations networking to prevent and treat its causes. This was obvious at a recent state-wide meeting of representative of groups and organizations convened by Senator Rockefeller to support reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. We can change this and the time is now to seize this opportunity to lead in encouraging other Black groups and organizations to maximize this moment.
So I renew my appeal for your enthusiastic support of CBMA members and friends for BBNB Premiere and the post production work of prevention and treatment of this massive menace.
 
To God be the Glory for the Ministry His Spirit inspires.
Rev. Roberta Smith, President, CBMA 
 
revberta@yahoo.com
Fax:    304 766-2224
Phone: 304 768-5807

"Let nothing trouble you, let nothing make you afraid.
All things pass away. God never changes.
Patience obtains everything. God alone is
enough."



--
Sky Kershner
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling
Charleston, WV
304-346-9689

--
CARLA is a social capital networking group for clergy and religious leaders in Charleston, WV. For more info go to www.carlawv.org
 
To post to this group, send email to carlawv@googlegroups.com
 
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
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WVIS September & October programs



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kathyrn Lester <kmlester53@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, Jul 27, 2012 at 5:43 PM
Subject: Fw: WVIS September & October programs
To: Amy Williams <amyvangogh@yahoo.com>, Pam Grady <pamgrady@hotmail.com>, Sky Kerschner <sky@kpcc.com>, Edna Thomas <ednathomas@suddenlink.net>, Doug Imbrogno <douglas@cnpapers.com>


Interesting offerings - Please consider sharing their availability and/or attending as they fit you. 


 

May you feel Gods love and peace!
Kathy

 


Attached are flyers for upcoming programs at WVIS in September and October.  Please help advertise these in your parishes and communities and with your directees and anyone else you think may be interested in attending.  Thanks!


Gerri Wright
West Virginia Institute for Spirituality
Spiritual Director
Office Manager





--
Sky Kershner
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling
Charleston, WV
304-346-9689

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Clergy Health and Selflessness

Creating Health Interventions for Clergy Proves Complex

Clergy have been found to have higher-than-average rates of chronic disease and depression. But it may be difficult to get them into care because pastors default to caring for others first. Duke University researchers have been trying to design health programs that will be more effective for clergy, given these tendencies.

Rev. LaNell Johnson visits a congregant (photo by Donn Young)

Rev. LaNell Johnson visits a congregant (photo by Donn Young)

"Clergy recognize the importance of caring for themselves, but doing so takes a back seat to fulfilling their vocational responsibilities, which are tantamount to caring for an entire community," says Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell, research director of the Clergy Health Initiative at Duke Divinity School and assistant research professor at the Duke Global Health Institute.

"Many pastors equate self-care with selfishness," Proeschold-Bell says. "They feel they need permission to take the time to attend to their health. A health intervention aimed at clergy must address this tendency head-on."

Her group's latest study, published in the Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, underscores the need to place preventive care programs for clergy in the context of their beliefs, congregations, and institutional structures. The findings are drawn from in-depth focus group data from 88 United Methodist clergy in North Carolina.

Barriers to Clergy Health

To succeed, health intervention programs must overcome a variety of potential barriers named by clergy: cost, distance, pastors' unpredictable work schedules, and fear that mental health issues will be discovered and stigmatized by congregants and supervisors.

The focus group clergy also emphasized that any health intervention must demonstrate the connection between physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Research by the Clergy Health Initiative has found that compared to other North Carolinians, United Methodist clergy have higher than average rates of obesity (40 percent versus 29 percent), diabetes, asthma, arthritis, and hypertension. They also exhibit symptoms of depression at nearly double the national average: 10.5 percent versus 5.5 percent.

Despite reporting higher rates of chronic disease, these clergy were more likely to say that their health did not affect their ability to do their work. 

"Clergy perceive themselves to be much healthier than they actually are," explains Proeschold-Bell. "They don't always recognize that they need help. That makes it all the more important that we design health interventions that pastors are likely to accept."

Spirited Life

The Clergy Health Initiative is testing this idea through a multi-year health intervention called Spirited Life.

More than 60 percent of the United Methodist clergy in North Carolina are currently enrolled in the program, through which they receive two years of intervention services. The program is theologically grounded and is the first study to combine weight loss and stress management interventions into a single program lasting more than 12 months.

The Clergy Health Initiative and Spirited Life are funded by a grant from The Duke Endowment, a private foundation located in Charlotte, N.C.

The study naming factors critical to a clergy health intervention is part of the journal's special issue on clergy health. These findings and additional information are available on the Clergy Health Initiative website.



--
Sky Kershner
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling
Charleston, WV
304-346-9689

--
CARLA is a social capital networking group for clergy and religious leaders in Charleston, WV. For more info go to www.carlawv.org
 
To post to this group, send email to carlawv@googlegroups.com
 
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
carlawv+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
 
For more options, visit this group at
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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Invitation to an "Explanatory Mass" at Blessed Sacrament



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John Finnell <johnhfinnell@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 4:27 PM
Subject: invitation
To: Sky Kershner <sky@kpcc.com>



Sky,
 
I would appreciate it if you could share this invitation throughout the CARLA network.  Thanks!
 
 
 
 
BLESSED  SACRAMENT  CHURCH
 
305  E  Street                                               South  Charleston   WV  25303
 
Telephone:  304-744-5523                           E-mail:  johnhfinnell@yahoo.com
 
 
July 10, 2012
 
Dear Religious Leaders and Pastors,
 
As we long for the unity that God desires among all people, I'm happy to invite you and your whole congregation to a special event here at Blessed Sacrament.
 
In the interest of building bridges of understanding among our diverse religious traditions, we will  have an "Explanatory Mass" on Sunday, July 29 at 2:00pm.  (This will be a complete, authentic Mass with Holy Communion, which will satisfy the "Sunday obligation" for all Catholics who attend.) It will take longer than a usual Mass (at least 2 hours) because we will stop and take time to explain each part of the Mass just before it occurs.  We will also welcome any questions and comments from the assembly both before the Mass starts and after it is concluded.  
 
We will have this special Mass at this unusual hour because we do not want our guests to have to miss their own church services on Sunday morning or Sunday evening.  We are not trying to lure anyone away from their current religious affiliation! 
 
Although our primary intended audience would be those who are unfamiliar with our tradition, my past experience is that many Catholics also appreciate this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of our patterns of worship.
 
Here is the outline of the event:
A.  Welcome / General Introduction
B.  Comments / Questions from the Assembly
C.  Basic Structure of the Mass / Biblical Roots
D.  Introductory Rites
E.  Liturgy of the Word
F.  Liturgy of the Eucharist
G. Concluding Rites
H. Comments / Questions from the Assembly
I.   Fellowship / Light Refreshments
 
Please invite anyone and everyone whom you know may have an interest!  Please contact me if you have any questions or if you need directions to our church.
 
May God's blessings be abundant upon you and your people!
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
(Rev.) John H. Finnell, pastor
 
(Rev.) John H. Finnell, pastor
Blessed Sacrament Church
305 E Street
South Charleston, WV 25303
office 304-744-5523
cell 304-377-3560
johnhfinnell@yahoo.com



--
Sky Kershner
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling
Charleston, WV
304-346-9689

--
CARLA is a social capital networking group for clergy and religious leaders in Charleston, WV. For more info go to www.carlawv.org
 
To post to this group, send email to carlawv@googlegroups.com
 
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
carlawv+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
 
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/carlawv?hl=en?hl=en

Monday, July 2, 2012

Fwd: Please forward to CARLA



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kay Albright <pastorkay2@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 9:25 PM
Subject: Please forward to CARLA
To: Sky Kershner <sky@kpcc.com>


I understand that homosexuality is a divisive issue in our communities.  Bridges of Grace United Church of Christ is offering a workshop, Face to Faith:God & Gays where we will explore homosexuality in the Bible.  It will be held July 14 from 5:30-8pm.  If you know folks who have questions about the topic or want to know more, they and you are welcome at the workshop!

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions at pastorkay2@gmail.com or 740-972-0199.

Blessings!
Kay



--
Sky Kershner
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling
Charleston, WV
304-346-9689

--
CARLA is a social capital networking group for clergy and religious leaders in Charleston, WV. For more info go to www.carlawv.org
 
To post to this group, send email to carlawv@googlegroups.com
 
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
carlawv+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
 
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/carlawv?hl=en?hl=en

CARLA question



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <jmh5024@aol.com>
Date: Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 4:02 PM
Subject: CARLA question
To: sky@kpcc.com

 
From Janet Harmon at St Marks
 
 
"Other than St. John's Episcopal Church, which provides breakfast & lunch (Manna Meal), does your church provide any meals during the week or weekend for our homeless neighbors?  If so, which meal?  And how often is the meal provided?  What time is the meal provided?  Any help would be appreciated."
 
Janet Harman at St. Marks UMC



--
Sky Kershner
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling
Charleston, WV
304-346-9689