This conversation from ACEs Connection’s ‘A Better Normal’ series centers around the need for equity to be at the forefront of the ACEs, trauma-informed, and resilience-building movement. It serves as a call-to-action for those in the worldwide ACEs movement to addressing systemic racism and historical and racial trauma and to prioritize anti-racist practices and policies.
Read MoreRacial Truth and Reconciliation Virginia (RTRVA) is an intentional evolution of the Campaign for a Trauma-Informed Virginia that further concentrates efforts on the intersection of trauma and equity.
Read MoreWhat might be the possibilities of moving away from locating distress almost exclusively inside of people and instead begin interrogating neoliberal systems that put pressure on who people believe they are allowed to be? If people in relative positions of power routinely engaged in this practice, might this move us towards a model of community care where people don’t have to self-care their way out of social inequities? Travis Heath discusses the use of narrative therapy and the ways in which it pursues these very goals.
Read MoreRespite to Recharge Program for formed families – Are you a relative serving in a parenting role? Could you use a break or support during virtual learning? The Respite to Recharge program gives 10 hours a week of free respite child care to grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents and others who are parenting children of relatives. The program is supported by Healthy Minds Fairfax and implemented by Formed Families Forward. In order to take full advantage of this program families will need to apply now. Get detailed information in English and Spanish.
Read MoreLearning to see warning signs using Kognito online training – A recent Washington Post Education column discusses how local school systems are using Kognito’s research-proven, evidence-based role-play simulations to teach staff how to recognize when a young person is showing signs of psychological distress, how to talk with them about it, and how to connect them to the appropriate support. Find out about this suite of ten, free online simulations or take a class now.
Read MoreFCPS Healthy Minds Podcast: Online All the Time: Finding Balance in our Virtual World – Listen to this week’s Healthy Minds podcast for a conversation with FCPS Instructional Technology Specialist Tammi Sisk on how to create balance and well-being given our current virtual learning – and living – environment. Tammi shares practical strategies for students, families, and educators, who are looking for ways to find balance and increase their knowledge of digital citizenship.
Read MoreFairfax County Library recommends books for Emotional Wellness Month – October is Emotional Wellness Month, and the Fairfax County Public Library has recommendations for prioritizing self-care, including book recommendations and ways to keep healthy routines.
Read MoreStream "This is My Brave" shows on YouTube:
If you weren't able to catch the fall season of shows as they live streamed...you're in luck! All of the shows are up on YouTube and available to watch at any time at no cost to you.
This Is My Brave brings stories of mental illness and addiction out of the shadows and into the spotlight. For more information on this organization, click this link.
Read MoreHello 7th-12th Grade Families,
I hope you all are doing well and staying safe.
I want to highlight a few upcoming events happening at the church.
This Wednesday, October 28th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. we will be having our annual Trunk-Or-Treat. This year, we will run it drive-thru style with no candy being distributed by cars. At the end, each child will get a bag of candy from the church. We need lots more decorated trunks! This is a great family activity. Sign up to bring a trunk here.
This Friday, October 30th, 7 - 8:15 PM is Friday Night Lights. This week we will be having a movie night in the parking lot. We will be watching Halloween Town (1998), eating candy, playing games, and roasting smores. Please sign up in advance here at abidingpresence.net/youth. Parents please sign up to volunteer as well as these events take a lot of parent support.
On Saturday, November 7th from 1:30-2:45 PM we will be having the annual crop walk. This year it will be taking place in the church parking lot. This is an amazing event aimed at helping end hunger. We would like to see as many students, parents, and families there as possible! To sign up, go here www.crophungerwalk.org/burkeva, and for more information see the event here.
Our Abiding Fellows (11th & 12th grade) will be meeting two times this week, in person on Monday 1:30 -2:30 PM, and online on Wednesday from 7:30 - 8:30 PM.
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
Listen to this week’s Healthy Minds podcast to learn ways to activate empathy in children. Join Bethany Koszelak, FCPS’ mental health and wellness specialist, to hear about action strategies on how to model empathy and have caring dialogues with children, or anyone, during these challenging times.
Read MoreAll Saints Sunday is Sunday, November 1
In the midst of a year of so much grief in so many different ways, we are grateful for the tradition of All Saints Sunday. All Saints Sunday offers us the opportunity to make space for the grief of those who we have lost this past year. While our traditions will look a bit different, our remembering will be the same.
On All Saints Sunday, November 1 we will remember and give thanks for the saints who have gone before us in the following ways:
Between 8:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. you can come to the parking lot to help us create an outdoor memorial area. You will have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of your loved one(s) who have died, chalk their names on the pavement and/or put a picture of them on display. This is an opportunity for us to remember all the saints who surround us in the great cloud of witnesses. Pastor Keseley and Pastor Vought will be available during this time to pray with people one-on-one from a safe distance.
At 9:15 a.m. we will have a brief 20 minute outdoor worship service in our memorial area. At this time, we will share scripture, prayer and read the names of the saints who have died this past year as the bell tolls in each of their honor. You can attend the service in-person practicing safe social distancing, in your car from the church parking lot listening to it on an FM radio or on our usual livestream platforms. If you would like the name read of a loved one who has died since last All Saints Sunday, please email Pastor Keseley.
On the livestream service at 10:00 a.m. we will share videos of our memorial area and offer a prayer in memory of the saints in the great cloud of witnesses.
Those wishing to prayerfully walk through the memorial area will be able to do so following livestream worship from 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
As with all of our in-person activities, masks that cover the nose and mouth are required at all times while on the church property. We will have markers set up to help us all observe safe social distancing. If you are not feeling well or have possible exposure to COVID, we ask that you please participate only from home. If you would like a phone call from one of the pastors to pray with you, please just let us know and we are happy to make that happen.
Read MoreHello 7th-12th Grade Families
Read MoreThe Trauma-Informed Community Network (TICN) is a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency effort to implement and support Trauma Informed Care initiatives across the Human Services System. It is an initiative of the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax.
Read MoreSearch Institute’s research is demonstrating that when young people experience developmental relationships with parents, educators, youth program staff, and other adults their outcomes are
better, their risk behaviors are lower, and they are more likely to be on the path to thrive in life.
This year’s FCPS Mental Health and Wellness Conference was held virtually over a three-week period from September 14 to October 3. Several sessions were recorded and are now available on the FCPS YouTube channel. See the Mental Health and Wellness Conference video playlist.
Read MoreJoin substance abuse counselor Kelly Rankin for a conversation about early signs of substance use disorder and how to have an important conversation with your child about addiction in this week's Healthy Minds podcast.
Read MoreWhile we are born with a capacity for empathy, it is developed and shaped over time. Research suggests these five ways you could activate empathy skills in children.
Read MoreThe folks at Fairfax County's Community Services Board offer a concise and practical presentation on ways to strengthen your mental health. The presentation includes tips applicable to all ages, including developmentally appropriate tips for children, and resources that are available to the community. Highly recommend to watch!
Read MoreThis webinar hosted in June 2020 by Abiding Presence Lutheran Church of Burke, VA was led by two child psychologists as a response to the continued shut-down of life as we know it, and the looming summer without the normal activities.
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