Eight interactive workshops, presented during three sessions, will offer lots of choice for care team members. Topics fall into two tracks: Care of Others and Care of Self.
NOTICE: Session I workshops for the November 3 Care Conference at JUC are filled. Any registrations received at this point will still be able to attend the keynote speaker, Sessions II and III workshops, and the panel discussion. We cannot take any walk-ins. Registrations must be received by Tuesday, Oct. 29. Thank you all for recognizing the importance of pastoral care in our congregations!
SESSION I
A. Setting Positive Boundaries
What are appropriate caring roles for volunteers? Do you and your fellow committee members listen deeply to congregants without rushing to fix their troubles? Do you sometimes help too much and burn out volunteers or prevent the "cared for" members from discovering their own resources? Setting positive boundaries makes it possible to avoid set-ups when unreasonable requests for assistance land in your lap. Learn principles of positive boundaries, engage with case studies, and hear suggestions that will help your pastoral care volunteers set and maintain positive boundaries.
Facilitator: Amanda Trosten-Bloom, Principal, Corporation for Positive Change and Co-Author of The Power of Appreciative Inquiry
B. Empathic Listening
Have you ever heard yourself say, “You’re not listening to me!”? How good a listener are you? Empathic listening is not only an important skill, but one that can be improved with practice. Workshop participants will have a chance to practice after learning about ideas for enhancing listening skills.
Facilitator: Linda Ropes, facilitator and trainer
SESSION II
A. Sound, Music and Healing
Music! It delights, relaxes, and inspires. It can also help in the process of healing. This workshop will offer an overview of current uses of sound and music in caring for others. Information about the ‘Healing through Sound and Music’ program at JUC, including the use of CD's pre-surgery, hospice visitation, and “toning” exercises, will be presented. Experiential exercises with sound will be included and a list of resources will be available.
Facilitators: David Burrows, choir director at Columbine UU and Certified Music for Healing & Transition Practitioner; Marlys Brinkman, choir director at Lafayette UU, who experienced firsthand the healing powers of music through a difficult illness.
B. The Art of Handling Anxiety and Depression in Everyday Life
Anxiety and depression are closely linked and are usually not cause for alarm when associated with life transitions. The art is in knowing when to view them as normal, how to support the person who is experiencing them, and how to tell when anxiety and depression have become problems in themselves and it’s time for referral. Learn new insights from a dynamic professional.
Facilitator: Charles J. O’Leary, Ph.D., licensed in marriage and family therapy and
author of Counseling Couples and Families: a Person-centered Approach (Sage, 1999).
C. Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue is a reaction experienced by care givers vicariously from the event(s) that have traumatized the people they serve. It is quite different from "burnout" which is associated with increased workload and institutional stress. Healthcare professionals, clergy, and pastoral caregivers are at risk and therefore should be aware of the signs and symptoms so corrective measures can be taken. Learn about effective techniques for overcoming compassion fatigue.
Facilitator: Jane Barton, MTS, Community Educator for the Life Quality Institute, an affiliate of the Denver Hospice.
SESSION III
A. Five Wishes
Of the approximately 200,000 Americans who will die this next month, only 15% have prepared advance healthcare directives: have you prepared yours? Five Wishes is a widely used and respected document, legal in 40 states, including Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming. During this workshop you will view an informative video, complete a Five Wishes document for yourself, and learn how you can set up a workshop for your congregation.
Facilitator: Len Wheeler, a (mostly) retired internist, hospice volunteer and member of a hospital ethics committee.
B. Laughter Yoga
Happiness is an inside job and laughter truly is great medicine! Laughter Yoga, founded in India, is based on the idea that laughter, whether faked or real, has a profound effect upon health. Groups have popped up everywhere. Participants will practice laughter exercises, gentle stretches, breathing and laughter meditation. History and theory will be included.
Facilitator: Joanne Wambeke, M.Ed., of Colorado Healing Services, LLC, is a licensed psychotherapist. She is also a certified Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner, an internationally certified qigong instructor, and a certified laughter yoga leader.
C. Creating Communities of Care via Share The Care
At a time when our healthcare systems are stressed, families are geographically scattered, technology serves to isolate and insulate, Share The Care TM is a refreshing and relational approach to care giving. Family members, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and volunteers unite to create a community of care, a community offering time and talents to meet the diverse and varied needs of patients and their families. Learn from an expert how to use this valuable method for organizing care groups.
Facilitator: Jane Barton, MTS, Community Educator for the Life Quality Institute, an affiliate of the Denver Hospice.
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