Tagged With "object lesson"

In a previous post , I explained that this fall I worked with the children on understanding and interpreting the Lord's Prayer. The Lord's Prayer, or "Our Father," posed many interesting opportunities to discuss themes that each and ever one of us struggle with. It was a challenge preparing a lesson for children with emotional disturbance dealing with complicated teachings in scripture. It was an exercise in combatting "Christian-ese" and the simple Sunday school answers (you know... when in...

Recently, we did an object lesson as part of our Resilience-based series that I call “the Wall.” We talked about how bad things happen in this world despite having a loving God that looks over us. We make bad choices at times that hurt us, and others make bad choices that hurt us. In general, there is a lot of brokenness in relationships that causes a lot of damage. So, I told the children, we learn how to protect ourselves. Just like castles have BIG walls or our cottages on campus have...

At Intermountain's residential services, we have spent a lot of time this past month focusing on thankfulness, gratitude, and recognizing how richly we have been blessed. This has allowed me, as their chaplain, to encourage empathetic responses to the needs of others while also building a positive self-image as each child recognizes that they have something to give others. Woven into this narrative was a recognition of our interdependence and that it is not a sign of weakness to acknowledge...

To date, over 80 copies of the curriculum Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks: a six week study of trauma-informed ministry and compassionate care for children from hard places and situations have gone out around the country. Released this past spring, most have ordered it to preview the materials prior to utilization this coming fall. So, while feedback has been positive, there have been few users with specific comments related to how their teaching experience has gone (because, well... they...

ACE Overcomers has started a kickstarter campaign to fund DVD's that include American Sign Language interpretation. Combining sound biblical principles and solid science, this 12 lesson trauma-informed curriculum will help you understand and overcome...

It's been a labor of love more than a year in the making, and it is exciting to see the curriculum come together and head out to those that will give this first version a "test drive" this spring and (hopefully) give me some great feedback so I can make improvements over the summer and make the curriculum better! It is called "Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks: a six week study of trauma-informed ministry and compassionate care for children from hard places and situations." The study is...

My approach to my own personal adversity and trauma has been deeply shaped by my spirituality. I grew up in a liturgical church, which means that we kept to something called the "Church calendar" which had seasons built into it for various readings, celebrations and observances. Every late winter brought with it the experience of "Ash Wednesday" that led into Lent, a time of self-examination, observance of disciplines and practices that framed human suffering into a larger context, a grand...

In a recent chapel time, our children were given the opportunity to "pay if forward" by helping create the video below. You see, part of the lesson was about thanksgiving and generosity, and that generosity is NOT just about sharing money. It's about being the type of people who share compassion and the wisdom that has been gained through difficulty. The children were encouraged to know that they could help other children handle their big feelings in healthy ways by sharing what they had...

Chaplain Chris Haughee of Intermountain's Residential Services in Helena, Montana, hosted an all-day training and workshop on trauma-informed ministry on September 15th, 2016. The day started off with introductions and then it was time for Brie Oliver, ACE Master Trainer, to give the group the basics in adverse childhood experiences, the science behind life-long health effects from childhood trauma, and share the possible ways faith communities could help build resiliency in children and...

Dear friends at ACEsConnection, I thought it might be of interest to you to see an example of how I am integrating the themes of resilience building, and in particular the measures from the Children and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-12+4), into our chapel times on campus at Intermountain Residential Services in Helena, Montana. What appears below is part of the lesson built around the tried and true measure of resilience: can the child identify skills and abilities that are making them more...

I have been blessed by the response to the curriculum "Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks," now having sent it out to ministries in 26 States and the District of Columbia. I have already received a little feedback and made some minor changes to content, but what I am most excited about is that t he curriculum is now available in a downloadable digital format! For those that have not seen previous posts on the curriculum, the study is for adult small groups or classes and is laid out into the...

I recently had two events that caused me to think purposefully about what a responsible approach to the upcoming holidays of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day may be for a church that is seeking to be sensitive to the trauma histories that their worshipping community may have. The first was an invitation to preach at a church in my community that has done a great deal to advance the faith communities awareness to the effects of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and mental health needs within...

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) affect how a person develops physically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually. The ACE Overcomers series provides answers to many difficult questions. Through a combination of Biblical principles and sound science, these 12 powerful sessions will begin to retrain your brain and reset your nervous system. This course has helped many to overcome the effects of stress and adversity, and to ultimately trust God with every detail of life. ACE Overcomers:...

As I start to talk with pastors about why ACEs matter and why they should inform themselves and their congregations, I regularly hear something like this: "But why does it matter? What difference should it make in ministry? Can't I simply preach and teach the Bible and leave the results up to God?" By way of answer to these questions, I am starting to put together a training called "10 things that kid with ACEs would like you to know: moving your church toward greater empathy." The following...

As a social work professional, I was involved in the trauma field twenty years ago. But I became a charismatic nondenominational church pastor, starting a college campus prayer movement. With my cultural heritage and training at an evangelical seminary, the focus of my ministry has been intercession, multi-ethnic discipleship and servant leadership. However, the development of community service involvement with the ministry brought me back to the engagement in my previous professional field.

As a social work professional, I was involved in the trauma field twenty years ago. But I became a charismatic nondenominational church pastor, starting a college campus prayer movement. With my cultural heritage and training at an evangelical seminary, the focus of my ministry has been intercession, multi-ethnic discipleship and servant leadership. However, the development of community service involvement with the ministry brought me back to the engagement in my previous professional field.

TIna, So sorry for the slow response. I'm about ready to go to print with a 12 lesson Biblical/Scientific Principles ACE Overcomers book and a 12 lesson Scientific Principles ACE Overcomers book. Either would be appropriate for church. Additionally, I have a 12 lesson DVD that would be appropriate for bible study classes. It will take me a few weeks to get the books finished, but the DVDs are ready. You can find the DVDs at www.aceovercomers.org . Take care.

Maria, I have written a 145 page, 26 lesson, faith-based workbook entitled, Overcoming a Difficult Childhood. The curriculum is currently being used in 14 ministries in 4 states. The book is a combination of solid science and sound biblical principles. University of California will be studying the effectiveness of the program beginning Sept of this year. The curriculum is used in 7 recovery ministries. If you email me at aceovercomers@sbcglobal.net, I can forward you a sample of the lessons.

Not sure where this link is Week Two: Advocacy... what is this "trauma-informed" talk all about?; key idea: In order to advocate for children and families impacted by trauma, your church should consider trauma-informed ministry [ a copy of the print portion of this lesson is linked below for those that want to 'get a feel' for the curriculum!] ?

It wasn’t until his fifth prison term in a North Carolina county jail — his fourth conviction for driving under the influence — that Michael Hayes volunteered to take an ACE survey that changed his life. The 48-year-old father of six sons and one daughter had spent a number of years in and out of prison. During his last term, to get some time out of the cell where he spent 16 hours a day, he volunteered to attend a class offered by RHA Health Services, a nonprofit that incorporates the...

I am proud/relieved/gratified at finally being able to share a labor of love with the "PACES" community. It has been a struggle, the book project--yes, but just life and ministry in general have been hard over the past year. My family and I, personally, continue to walk the path of navigating all the complexities that come from trauma and working through that trauma in the context of ministry. I understand that many of you are in the same situation and can understand. The book, Hope for...

"Don't take MY word for it... hear from those who were kind enough to review my new devotional and provide an endorsement." Pastor Chris Haughee purchase now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733812326 Give yourself thirty days to experience the profound ministry of Intermountain Residential in Helena, Montana! Hope for Healing is a unique devotional book. It comes from Rev. Dr. Chris Haughee's ministry as chaplain to severely emotionally disturbed children and their families, gleaned from...

"Don't take MY word for it... hear from those who were kind enough to review my new devotional and provide an endorsement." Pastor Chris Haughee purchase now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733812326 Give yourself thirty days to experience the profound ministry of Intermountain Residential in Helena, Montana! Hope for Healing is a unique devotional book. It comes from Rev. Dr. Chris Haughee's ministry as chaplain to severely emotionally disturbed children and their families, gleaned from...

Does thinking about Advent planning already just stress you out? Concerned that as a trauma-informed congregation that whatever "pre-packaged materials" you might get haven't been appropriately vetted and will require you to add yet another "to-do" to an already full to-do list? If thinking about preparing for Advent already has you stressed out, don’t fear… Chaplain Sami Pack-Toner and Rev. Chris Haughee are here to help! Materials created in a trauma-sensitive setting and for...

I am a practical person... and in ministry I am one of those that asks questions like, "Can you give me some examples?" and "How would that look in MY ministry setting?" While theoretical knowledge is helpful, and ACEs science is amazing and interesting in its own right, trauma-informed/trauma-sensitive ministry must actually APPLY that knowledge in order to help anyone. So, as my colleague Rev. Sami Pack-Toner (chaplain, Intermountain Residential ) and I prepared for the Mountain Sky...

I am a practical person... and in ministry I am one of those that asks questions like, "Can you give me some examples?" and "How would that look in MY ministry setting?" While theoretical knowledge is helpful, and ACEs science is amazing and interesting in its own right, trauma-informed/trauma-sensitive ministry must actually APPLY that knowledge in order to help anyone. So, as my colleague Rev. Sami Pack-Toner (chaplain, Intermountain Residential ) and I prepared for the Mountain Sky...