This webinar hosted in April 2020 by Abiding Presence Lutheran Church of Burke, VA was led by two child psychologists as a response to the continued shut-down of school and life as we know it. They offered information and support specifically tailored for parents of elementary aged children who are struggling with their big emotions.
Read MoreThis webinar hosted mid-March 2020 by Abiding Presence Lutheran Church of Burke, VA was led by two child psychologists as a response to the sudden shut-down of school and life as we know it.
Read MoreThursday, November 19, 2020 at 12 PM EST – 2 PM EST https://www.zoomgov.com/.../reg.../WN_YMg0qSiyRLKg_FAmgFovsQ
Did you know there is a form of psychological research that focuses on how spirituality affects and relates to interpersonal relationships? It is called Relational Spirituality... Engaging spirituality has positive implications for individuals with mental illness and their loved ones... This webinar will discuss this area of research and its implications for treatment and recovery for individuals with mental illness and their loved ones.
Read MoreTUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020 AT 12 PM EST – 2 PM EST
https://www.zoomgov.com/.../reg.../WN_ZdMccbDQQmO_Ofe9-Exowg
Spiritual Social Support is not just a good idea. Research has shown that it has a positive, measurable impact... This webinar will connect both these points, the research as well as the lived experience, describing the benefits of spiritual social support in the lives of those affected by mental illness in themselves and their loved ones.
Read MoreWebinar: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2020 AT 12 PM EDT – 2 PM EDT https://www.zoomgov.com/.../reg.../WN_0jN5Y2rITIeSoeJ-QBYLSg
Individuals and caregivers facing a diagnosis of serious mental illness (SMI) can be overwhelmed. In fact, the likelihood that the loved one will not recover previous levels of stability can lead to debilitating despair for all involved. Spiritual and religious support can provide an alternative pathway to understanding, managing, and achieving a level of stability toward a “new normal” for those with mental illness and their loved ones. Incorporating spirituality and religious belief into this form of recovery and renewal can lead to an increased opportunity for growth, fulfillment, and meaning for the individuals, their loved ones, and even the mental health professionals involved in their care.
Webinar: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 12 PM EDT – 2 PM EDT
Research demonstrates the benefits of personal spirituality and religion extend to specific mental health challenges, including recovery from trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and even risk for suicide. This webinar will encourage practitioners and faith leaders to consider strategies for innovative partnerships incorporating spirituality into treatment in additional settings and treatment programs.
Read MoreIn October, we recognize Mental Illness Awareness Week, National Depression Screening Day, World Health Day and Red Ribbon Week. Join CSB’s Wellness, Health Promotion & Prevention team by taking part in individual and community-wide actions that you can take – virtually and from a safe distance – that promote resiliency, provide support to loved ones and stay connected. Get the calendar.
Read MoreThe Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN) recently hosted a conversation on how we can all strengthen emotional well-being and resilience in these unprecedented times, including practical strategies that each of us can draw on to build on our strengths and strengthen our connections to others during this COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the SPAN website to watch the recording and download the resources presented.
Read MoreThis week FCPS’ Healthy Minds podcast features Whitney McDonough, a social worker at West Potomac High School and 25-year FCPS employee. Whitney provides information and resources on teen suicide prevention and a program available to FCPS parents and students called SOS - Signs of Suicide. Participants learn how to Acknowledge, Care, and Tell, or “ACT”. Listen now.
Read MoreHello 7th-12th Grade Families,
I hope you all are doing well and staying safe.
Here’s a look at what is happening this week:
Today, Tuesday, October 6th, 4 - PM we have Small Groups meeting in the parking lot for 9th & 10th graders. This is a chance to get together in small groups not only for games and fun, but also for intentional conversation. This week’s theme is scripture and what it means to us.
On Friday, October 9th 7 - 8:15 PM is Friday Night Lights! This Friday we will be rolling out the TV carts, the Wii, the old school NES, and having an outdoor arcade night. We will have marked spaces to stand in and play games that are 6ft apart. Sanitizing wipes will be used on the controllers between each person and masks will be worn at all times to ensure we are being as safe as possible. Please sign up ahead of time here abidingpresence.net/youth. We need lots of parent support to make our Friday Night Lights events possible, so parents, please sign up to help, too.
Our Abiding Fellows (11th & 12th grade) met yesterday in-person in the parking lot or Wednesday, October 7th from 7:30-8:30 PM over Zoom. Our Abiding Fellows are exploring what it means to be gifted and called by God while also designing projects to be completed this semester.
Finally, I would like to bring to your attention the new Music & Arts Small Group Ministry that is launching this Sunday and next Sunday afternoon. These small group ensembles and classes are going to be outdoors and will follow all of our usual safety protocols. David Chavez, our Music and Worship Minister, is leading this new ministry along with a fantastic team of musicians and artists.
We will continue to follow our safety protocol and ask everyone to wear a mask at all in-person events.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas as we head into fall, please do not hesitate to be in touch.
Blessings,
Mr. Jon
This article outlines some practical and intentional methods for parents and caregivers to help their children with their anxiety. The article expands on one approach that can help children manage anxiety. This approach is by Jane Garland and Sandra Clark — creators of the Taming Worry Dragons: A Manual for Children, Parents and Other Coaches.
Read MoreThis week's Healthy Minds podcast by FCPS addresses the important issue of self-control; knowing how to recognize when children (and adults) are losing self-control and tips on how to regain it. These strategies can also help families during the ongoing virtual learning days and into the future.
Read MoreHello 7th-12th Grade Families,
I hope you all are doing well and staying safe.
Abiding Presence Youth Ministry is off and running with our fall calendar! We had a terrific time last night at our first “Friday Night Lights” (rescheduled from Friday to Sunday due to rain).
Here’s a look at what is happening this week:
On Monday, September 28th, 12 - 2 PM we will be meeting outdoor homeroom! Come to the church parking lot and bring a snack, homework, laptops, and/or whatever you need for asynchronous learning. We will have Wi-Fi in the parking lot so you can spread out and get some space or sit near your friends (8 ft apart of course).
On Tuesday, September 29th, 4 - PM we have Small Groups meeting for 9th & 10th Graders this is a chance to get together in small groups not only games and fun but also for intentional conversation. This week we will be talking about scripture and what it means to us.
Our Abiding Fellows (11th & 12th grade) will meet this week on Monday, September 28 from 1:30-2:30 PM in-person in the parking lot or Wednesday, October 1 from 7:30-8:30 PM over Zoom.
We will continue to follow our safety protocol and ask everyone to wear a mask at all in-person events.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas as we head into fall, please do not hesitate to be in touch.
Blessings,
Mr. Jon
Wednesday, October 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Our annual “Trunk-or-Treat” event will look a bit different this year, but still provide opportunities for fun for the whole family.
In order to keep everyone safe, participants will drive thru the parking lot from the safety of their vehicles to view our display of trunks and characters. At the end, we will hand out a bag of candy from a safe physical distance. Feel free to make it extra fun by dressing the kids up in their costumes for the drive thru.
Volunteers are needed to:
Donate bags of candy (drop off in the designated bin in front of the church by October 21)
Sign up for a parking spot in the lot to park your decorated trunk, stand in costume or create a display. All parking spots will be physically distanced in order to keep participants safe. Everyone in your parking spot will be asked to please wear a mask and follow COVID precautions. You do not have to stand with your decorated trunk. We will ask all trunks to be in place by 5:15 p.m. and plan to stay in place through the end of the event.
We hope this provides a safe way for our community to celebrate Halloween and the opportunity for the whole congregation to be engaged in this outreach event.
Read MoreAs the holidays approach, there are several ways to support families in need in our community:
Donate new and unwrapped toys to support ECHO’s holiday toy drive by Monday, November 30
Click “read more” to learn more about how to donate toys and the other ways we are serving in the community this holiday season.
Read MoreStep In, Speak Up! for supporting LGBTQ youth is a 30-minute online training to concerned adults to support youth who may be struggling due to harassment or exclusion related to sexual identity, sexual orientation or other differences. All three trainings are listed in SPRC/AFSP Best Practices Registry.
Read MoreIf you work with children/youth and are interested in short, engaging trainings that help prepare you for potentially challenging conversations, check this resource out: https://fairfax.kognito.com. In these 1-hour online trainings, users enter a virtual environment, assume the role of an educator, and engage in conversations with three emotionally-responsive virtual students that exhibit signs of psychological distress, including thoughts of suicide.
Read MoreGail Embt of "Break the Vape" will be offering Clarity Conversations for parents of teens struggling with substance use. They will be small virtual groups of 5-7 people, where parents will bring a challenge or issue they are currently struggling with. Leaders will walk them through the process of exploration and understanding and then brainstorm possible solutions and options for them. Feel free to reach out to her Gail.E@breakthevape.com
Fore more information on Break the Vape, check out their site: https://www.breakthevape.com/about
Read MoreLast Sunday we hosted our first-ever “Kick-Off Sunday Drive Thru Blessing.” The past six months have been an endless series of “first-ever” moments and kicking off a new program was no exception. I continue to be impressed by the creativity of our staff, involvement of all of you and stirring of the Holy Spirit that is carrying us through these times. It is a good time to be the church, especially the people of God at Abiding Presence.
After waving and chatting with a steady stream of nearly 100 cars spread over two hours last Sunday, my heart was full. It was SO good to see all of you and have the chance to catch up for a moment. I loved seeing your faces, hearing about your summers and realizing how much our kiddos have grown. We were so close…and yet…so far, too. I longed to give hugs, share laughter and say, “Have a good week!” knowing that I would see you again in just a few short days.
We have several more “parking lot style” opportunities planned for this fall. Starting this Sunday, Michelle Galdames-Henry is hosting “Brunch Bunch” as an opportunity for kids to worship together with her in the parking lot. Second graders are invited this Sunday or next Sunday and can sign up here.
On Sunday, October 4 at 5:00 p.m. we will have our annual “Blessing of Pets & Stuffed Animals” service in the parking lot. This service lends itself well to being outdoors and distanced. We’ll ask all of the people to wear masks and practice social distancing (this will always be the case with our parking lot services/events). You will be able to either participate from your car in the parking lot or stand/bring lawn chairs to be in marked and distanced spots. We also have in the works a Reformation Sunday parking lot celebration after our outdoor confirmation service on October 25 and a special All Saints Sunday parking lot worship experience on Sunday, November 1 (stay tuned for details). Then, just wait for Christmas Eve when we’re planning a drive thru nativity experience, parking lot services and a late night livestream service! All that is to say, there will be lots of opportunities for us to safely see each other this fall!
Finally, I came across an article this week from the Pew Research Center titled “Will the Coronavirus Permanently Convert In-Person Worshipers to Online Streamers?” It reminded me that our current worship situation is temporary. For now, livestream worship is the best way we can be the church, but that won’t be the case forever. Soon, we’ll be back together again! If you need a laugh and some hope in the midst of this livestream season of worship, check out this fabulous Hamilton parody. It keeps me grounded in a fun way in the bigger picture of what is happening during these times.
If I can be of support, reach out! See you on the livestream this Sunday!
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