Healing is hard work, and more in our June newsletter

e-Newsletter / June 18, 2020

Jim's Blog: Healing is Hard Work

"I am white.

I am the son of an auto mechanic.

I witnessed racial violence in my integrated school and it was terrifying.

I was a first generation college student and athlete.

I was dumbfounded by racial slurs shouted from stands that were targeted at black friends and team mat es...Just when we thought we might get a handle on one virus, we find ourselves facing the sickness of racism-again.

So many thoughts are on my mind as I compose this article, which was not my original topic for the newsletter and blog this month. Many of these thoughts relate to mental health and our mission. We work hard to walk with people so that all might flourish." ...READ MORE

Thank you to our spring 2020 spring grantors, including:

Billie's Blog: Acceptance

"Acceptance is the challenge of the day. There is no question about the widespread instability in our country and in ourselves. COVID-19 completely altered the world in less than six months. Weeks of quarantine and a complete upheaval of everything we knew life to be forced unprecedented changes in how we live and work.

Our collective stress from fear and uncertainty has run high. As we continued to reel from the silent, invisible, unpredictable disease, we experienced the horrific murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota."...READ MORE

www.dmpcc.org/Billie

Thank you to our spring 2020 spring grantors, including:

Congratulations Allison Peet for reaching highest level of MBSR™ instructor certification

"This moment marks one of my proudest (and most humbling) moments of my life. It is such a privilege to teach this authentic, vulnerable, heartful, compassionate way of living."


Allison Peet, Certified MBSR™ Instructor

We are proud to report that Allison Peet, who teaches a popular class at the Center, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction™ (MBSR™) has earned her distinction as a *CERTIFIED* MBSR™ instructor - one of the highest levels of training. She is the only Certified MBSR™ instructor in Des Moines.

Allison's accomplishment has brought life and joy to hundreds of people in our community. Her excellence is a result of hard work and compassion. Allison's accomplishment the numbers... READ MORE.

Allison's services include:

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Mindfulness for Beginners

Private Meditation

Virtual event brings real hope and healing

On May 15, 2020, more than 450 guests participated in the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center's 22 nd annual Women Helping Women

event which raised over $203,000. For the first time in the annual event's two-decade history the event was transformed from a ballroom luncheon format to a live, online program -- d ue to the covid-19 pandemic.

Thank you to our generous sponsors, donors, volunteers and event participants. The community stepped up to help others, and we are grateful. Funds will support mental health counseling, education, training and other services that impact women, children and families who are underinsured or from low income households.

Since 1998 the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center's Women Helping Women annual event has raised more than $1.4 million, providing access and care to thousands of children, families and women - a population who experience poverty, crime and abuse at disproportionately high levels.

The 2020 virtual program is available for replay at www.dmpcc.org/whw .

Women Helping Women gift card winners announced!

Thanks to a generous anonymous donor for donating 10 (ten) $100 gift cards to add an element of fun to this year's Women Helping Women event. During this pandemic crisis, the donor wanted to support local businesses, while encouraging participation in the online event.

Congratulations! The following donors were randomly selected during the 2020 Women Helping Women event to receive one of the gift cards to a local restaurant. Thanks to each of them for joining us on May 15, 2020.

Maria Alonzo-Diaz

Nora Everett

Jann Freed

Diane Glass

Sandra Grossman

Ann Holme

Maureen Keehnle

Gina Skinner-Thebo

Hallie Still-Caris

Jennifer Wedemeyer

Thank you to our spring 2020 spring grantors, including:

Registration is open for the Pastoral Care Specialist,

2020-2022 cohort

This two-year course is designed for clergy, parish nurses, Stephen ministers, chaplains and others involved in pastoral care ministries. Meeting monthly, participants learn about areas critical to effective pastoral care, and receive support, encouragement and consultation on their work. Participants will reinforce what they already do well and integrate new knowledge and skills into their ministries.


	click image for more information

Support group for survivors of suicide loss

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Survivor of Suicide Loss Group will be held remotely until further notice. If you've lost a loved one to suicide and need support, please contact Andrea Severson at [email protected].

www.dmpcc.org/Survivors

Thank you to our spring 2020 spring grantors, including:

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Discover the healing power of mindfulness. Learn to mitigate stress and regulate emotion. *This class will be in person at the Center (as long as coronavirus physical distancing is lifted). If physical distancing is still enforced, it will be online, via Zoom.

Fall Cycle:

Required Orientation: Sept 15

Class Begins: Sept 22

MBSR™ is an 8-week intensive course, backed by 40 years of research, proven to reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Utilizing curriculum developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD at UMASS Center for Mindfulness, this non-clinical (i.e. not group therapy) course is designed to teach mind-body awareness, recognize and put to use our inner psychological resources to respond to toxic stress. READ MORE

www.dmpcc.org/Mindfulness

S ave the date: October 9, 2020

The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center is hosting an event to build community, raise awareness, and support men's and boys' mental health.

Thank you to our spring 2020 spring grantors, including:

To fill out online intake form, click image

Mindfulness for Beginners - 4 week class

If you're curious about learning how to meditate and begin an on-

going, personal meditation practice, come join this experiential educational class. Discover the healing power of mindfulness by learning various meditation and breathing techniques, practicing mindful movement, and self-compassion. No prior experience necessary. *This class will be in person at the Center (as long as coronavirus physical distancing is lifted). If physical distancing is still enforced, it will be online, via Zoom.

Monday evenings 5:30-7:00PM

August 10, 17, 24, 31, 2020

www.dmpcc.org/MindfulnessforBeginners

Thank you to our spring 2020 spring grantors, including:

Club of Des Moines A.M. Foundation

Check our website for regular updates and resources.

PrairieFire - Accepting Applications

How is Your Spirit Growing?

PrairieFire is an invitation to a deeper spiritual life, an invitation to set time aside for renewing of self and awakening of soul. It is an opportunity for education and mutual guidance and support in developing spiritual awareness and life-sustaining spiritual practices.

Read more for updates on how the program schedule will be adjusted during pandemic .

dmpcc.org/PrairieFire

Thank you to our spring 2020 spring grantors, including:

We are here to help. How to schedule a telehealth counseling appointment.

The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center is offering secure, HIPAA compliant virtual mental health services through telehealth. Our clinicians are trained and prepared to provide high quality counseling, psychiatry and spiritual direction -- which you may access from your home or other place of quarantine.

To start the process of scheduling an appointment, please help us to understand your concerns by completing this brief online intake form. A member of our staff will match you with a clinician and be in contact with you within three business days.

Your support saves lives. Thank you.

Support hope and healing through your IRA

If you are 70½ or older you may also be interested in a way to lower the income and taxes from your IRA withdrawals. An IRA charitable rollover is a way you can help make an impact in your community and benefit this year.

Benefits of an IRA charitable rollover:

Avoid taxes on transfers of up to $100,000 from your IRA to the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center

Satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year

Reduce your taxable income, even if you do not itemize deductions

Make a gift that is not subject to the 50% deduction limits on charitable gifts

Help further the work and mission of the organizations that are important to you