Ministry to the returning veterans and their
families.
A key issue in shifting attention from
other persons to veterans is that the conventional wisdom in mental illness is
that one is addressing a no-fault chemical imbalance. With respect to the diagnosis of PTSD, however,
one is addressing a “mental wound” that has a specific trigger, the trauma that
caused the wound, whether it be rape, domestic
violence, child abuse, or combat.
The “no-fault” language of other mental
illness circles is thus often not helpful, because it might focus on fixing body
chemistry rather than healing the wound. One element that seems dominant
in turning a simple horrible experience into a wounding trauma is the element
of betrayal, which is specifically a violation of a relationship. The
stance taken by Risking Connection is therefore that what was broken in a
relational context needs healing in a relational context.
A helpful resource is “Risking
Connection in Faith Communities”, a curriculum for faith leaders supporting
trauma survivors by Jackson Day. It is intended specifically to help faith
leaders support trauma survivors, and that includes veterans.
What United Methodist churches can do now for American troops
Here are some suggestions from United Methodist
chaplains for local congregations to show God's love for American military
personnel and their families.
"Adopt"
someone in military service, or get your congregation to adopt an entire
military unit. Send them emails, letters and "care packages" of items
that will ease their wartime duty. For details on how to connect with armed
forces personnel through United Methodist chaplains, contact umea@gbhem.org.
Provide
a safe space. Invite military
families to meet at the church for mutual sharing, recreation and comfort.
Protect them from intrusion, especially from curious or insensitive media
personnel. Always provide childcare, and offer food if they wish.
Let
them talk. Train willing,
compassionate, non-judgmental church members, especially military veterans, to
be listeners for returning
Hold
worship services for military
personnel when they deploy and when they return. The chaplains at the
consultation suggested these guidelines for a worship service: When they leave,
reassure them of God's ever-present love for them and their families. When they
return, thank them for their service, ask God to forgive them for whatever
violence they may have been required to enact, and pray for healing of their
spirits. Examples of such worship services may soon be available through the United
Methodist Endorsing Agency at the General Board of Higher Education and
Ministry website, http://www.gbhem.org.
Learn
the vital roles that chaplains play as peacemakers amid conflict. Often a chaplain's intervention in the heat of
battle can restrain troops from committing retaliatory violence when a teammate
is wounded or killed. As a chaplain said during the consultation: "You
tell the troops: 'Suppose, however it happened, that you killed somebody's
grandma. Would you want your adversary to waste your entire town in
retaliation?' And soldiers say: 'Chaplain, you're right. Thanks for cooling me
down.' "
Be a
vigorous advocate for
resources that protect troops and for veterans' benefits. "Troops fight
wars, but wars are governed by civilian political leadership," said Rev.
Neal Christie of the General Board of Church and Society. Contact your
congressional representatives, who hold the purse strings of government. Demand
that the federal budget provide appropriate resources for troops while in action,
and benefits for them upon their return. Church and Society's legislative plan
for 2007, including board contacts
More Resources
Ministering
to the Military in our Midst
Help
families prepare for troops' return, chaplain urges
By George Henson
Suggestions for supporting military families through Congregational Care Teams
Soldiers Returning From War
and Reconnecting with Children
Soldiers Returning From War
and Being A Couple Again
This space is provided in partnership mission by the North Carolina Conference Information Technology and Communications, The United Methodist Church The content of this home page is the responsibility of the Committee on Disability Concerns.
This Web Site was created with the
aid of Internet Explorer and Microsoft Word.
Since 11/10/06this page has been visited.
The Christian Counter