Wheat Ridge Ministries is pleased to share the availability of “Welcome Them Home, Help Them Heal,” a new resource for pastoral care and ministry with service members returning from war. If your congregation has anyone serving in the Armed Forces, Active, Reserve or National Guard, this book needs to be in the church library for families and friends. It also provides valuable tools for counselors, clergy and local congregations to welcome home the veteran as they heal from their war time experiences. Learn more and order a copy of the book...
The following is a synopsis of comments received regarding support for families of returning military personnel:
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"Voices of Worship," a TV Program of Christian performing arts filmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Neenah, WI, makes DVDs available to deployed Wisconsin troops. Performers are from many different denominations and feature music of all genres, dramatic readings, and interpretive dance. Recipients are determined by area military facilities. Costs are funded by private donations.
St. Paul Lutheran Church - stpaullu@tds.net
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Pastor Ronald Jones, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Raritan, New Jersey, has been an instructor for an Army-wide series of marriage enrichment retreats using PREP (Prevention & Relationship Enhancement Program). The Navy has also used PREP. For an overview of the Army's programs to support single and married soldiers, go to www.strongbonds.org.
Pastor Jones - chap8med@optonline.net
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St. Michael Lutheran Church in Portage, Michigan, sends care packages, letters of encouragement, phone cards and guardian angel tokens to military personnel "to remind them they are loved, appreciated and that we are praying for their safety and strength for their families." St. Michael Lutheran School has collected shoes, school supplies, toys and candy for a unit that supports an orphanage in Afghanistan.
St. Michael Lutheran Church - stmike@mightymessengers.org
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Through PointMan International Ministries ( www.pointman-ministries.org) Christ Lutheran Church in LaMesa, California, has joined with the YMCA and USO to provide contact with wounded military personnel at Naval Medical Hospital San Diego, serving a free dinner each month. The USO provides a gift bag for each patient and the students of Christ Lutheran School send thank you notes.
Don Geisinger, Minister of Discipleship, Christ Lutheran Church - dgeisinger@christlamesa.org
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The Northwest District-LCMS has formed the Ministry to Military Personnel, Families and Congregations (MMPFC) Task Force which electronically provides material, training and support to individuals, congregations and families as their service members return home. A wide array of these resources can be viewed on the District website, www.nowlcms.org.
Note: The Northwest District has sent an overture to the upcoming LCMS Synodical Convention requesting that all Districts formulate some sort of ministry to returning military personnel and their families.
Rev. Bruce Rumsch, Chairman, MMPFC Task Force - padre@trinityhillsboro.com
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In partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the LCMS National Housing Support Corporation will sponsor a training event on June 8, 2007, that will assist Lutheran organizations, congregations and districts to gain a working knowledge of funding and programs available to serve veterans.
Jessica Bell, assistant to Marie Kienker, Executive Director of Lutheran Housing Support - Jessica.Bell@lcms.org
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Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota ( www.lssmn.org) is offering "A Soldier's Coming Home," a new camp curriculum for children (kindergarten through sixth grade) who have a parent about to return home from military service. It is anticipated that 250 children will attend the five week-long day camps being held in June and July, 2007. This curriculum was developed by Dr. James Gambone of Points of View Incorporated ( www.pointsofviewinc.com).
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The Minnesota Army National Guard ( www.minnesotanationalguard.org) hosts one-day interfaith training seminars for clergy, lay ministers and social service professionals to support and minister to combat veterans and their families.
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Utilizing a grant from Wheat Ridge, Elim Lutheran Church of Blackhoof in Barnum, Minnesota, is spearheading "Welcome Home!" - a project to develop, produce and distribute a resource to prepare and support Lutheran pastors and congregations in Minnesota for the challenge and opportunity for congregational health and healing ministry presented by military service personnel as they return from combat assignments.
Elim Lutheran Church - Elim2077@aol.com
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