CONTACT:
Melanie Davis
LSS Disaster Services
651/969-2345
Jackie Nelson
LSS Communications Office
651/969-2286
Workshop to Help
Residents in Aftermath of Red Lake Tragedy
The community is invited to
attend an upcoming educational workshop on "Insights, Comfort, and
Compassion" to help area residents in the aftermath of the Red Lake
tragedy. The workshops are designed to provide a forum for individuals to
share their thoughts and reactions to the recent tragedy, as well as offer
information that will help individuals and communities understand trauma
and the spectrum of emotions they evoke-to include helpful ways of dealing
with emotions and offering sensitive support to others.
"Everyone in the area has
been impacted by this tragedy in some way," said Melanie Davis, director
of LSS Disaster Services. "Healing is especially difficult when rumors and
new threats arise. We know that emotional and spiritual recovery will take
years. Those most directly impacted will need helpful support from
leaders, colleagues, friends and family for a very long time."
"Whether or not you know
someone who has been affected directly, the information in these workshops
can be helpful to anyone who has been through a significant loss or wants
to support someone who is grieving," Davis added.
The workshops are being
sponsored as a collaborative effort among area Lutheran, Episcopal, United
Methodist, and Catholic congregations and Lutheran Social Service/Lutheran
Disaster Response of Minnesota. Clergy continue to meet every Wednesday at
noon at Peoples Church - ELCA. All clergy are welcome.
The leader of the workshops
will be Greg Nelson, clinical director for Lutheran Social Service. As a
licensed therapist, Nelson has worked in disaster response since 1998,
providing programs in emotional and spiritual support for survivors and
caregivers in numerous settings. Nelson is also a member of the Lutheran
Disaster Response National Emotional and Spiritual Care Team.
Frances Oakgrove, elder from
Red Lake, will also be present to share his perspective of the uniqueness
of this tragedy as well as be available to respond to questions concerning
Native American spirituality, and many of the healing initiatives
currently underway.
Workshops are free and open
to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
-
Saturday, April 16th 10:00-
11:30 AM
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church
1800 Irvine Ave. NW, Bemidji
(218) 751-3831
-
Sunday, April 17th
9:30-10:30 AM
1st Lutheran Church - Adult Forum
900 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji
(218) 444-5302
-
Sunday, April 17th 2:30
-4:00 PM
People Church
824 America Ave., Bemidji
(218) 444-8240
-
Monday, April 18th 6:30-8:00
PM
Workshop site to be determined.
For more information, please
contact Lutheran Social Service at 1-800-987-0061.
