Thursday, September 29, 2011

A Week for Workshops

Monday Sept 26,  I attended a workshop at First United Church with Dr. Ross Laird  from Vancouver. He presented a developmental model of addiction and then demonstrated how specific developmental issues lead to a particular drug of choice. There is always something to learn as addiction is so complex and difficult to treat.

Monday evening I presented Part One of my own Addictions Workshop in Birch Bay to 15 folks from the area. Their responses on the anonymous feedback sheet I hand out were all very positive about the material and presentation, even though we had a few technical problems at the beginning. Next Monday I will present Part Two.

Wednesday evening I brought a message Created in the Image of God at the "Celebration" at Church. This is their equivalent of a Sunday Service. Volunteers put table cloths on the tables and serve the meals individually rather than having a food line.

This Friday and Saturday I am attending an Addictions and Recovery Conference in Surrey BC hosted by Trinity Western Seminary and others. There are some significant professional differences between Canada and the USA regarding Assessment and Delivery of Service. Also it will be a great opportunity for networking which is an important task for me right now as a newcomer to the area.

Then Monday I will play in my first curling game since 1963. I have been included in a minister's league which will promote further networking as well as having some great fun.

Finally, Tuesday I will be included in a committee discussion  which is exploring  addiction and recovery at First United where I am a chaplain.

Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and financial support! I now have monthly commitments of $885.00 towards my monthly budget of $1700.00
Ross


Thursday, September 22, 2011

Workshop in Birch Bay, WA

Next Monday evening I will be presenting a Workshop helping equip local churches to become a haven for recovery from addiction. We will meet twice, Sept 26 and Oct 3; each session 2 hours. It is being sponsored by a local church plant known as Waters Edge. I met the pastor Jim Carberry the first day I was here when I went to explore the Cafe next door to treat myself to a latte. We have since become great friends. He is well known in the area and contacted all the churches and pastors he is familiar with in the county.

The picture is of the gymnasium where the church meets and the workshop will be held.  As you know friends, this is the emphasis of my ministry I most dearly love.  Appreciate you keeping this event in your thoughts and prayers.
Ross

Friday, September 16, 2011

Scene from DTES


This is a picture taken in an alley about a block from First United Church. Each of the main streets in the DTES has an alley and usually you don't see scenes like this on the street fronts (although I did on my first visit to Hastings Street).  I observed someone injecting a young woman in the neck. Wow, what an introduction to DTES that was!

I have walked down these alleys trying to make contact, but quickly realized that was not a good idea. Those there are preoccupied with their addictions and see anyone else as an intruder. It is a neighborhood with 4,600 injection drug users. Of them, it’s estimated that 87 per cent have Hepatitis C, and 17 per cent have HIV. Yet, I am continually amazed I have never felt threatened physically or that I am carelessly putting myself in danger.

I want to introduce you to a new blog written by a Vancouver Policeman who patrols the area. His perspectives are fascinating to me, and I think you will be challenged as well. Click on Policeman's blog and you will see what I mean.

I am gradually feeling accepted here, finding myself included with key committees and building relationships with staff as well as residents. I am so encouraged when I hear from you, my friends, and I am so grateful for those of you that are helping me financially.
Ross

Thursday, September 8, 2011

"United We Can"

I believe to recover the addict has an individual responsibility but also needs a supportive cultural / social / spiritual community to replace the drug culture. I believe the church can be the ideal haven for recovery. I want to introduce you to Ken Lyotier, a new friend and fellow board member of the Dugout Drop-in Centre. Ken's story represents how it is possible to help the homeless help themselves.

Starting  with a $1500. loan from the minister at First United in 1990, Ken founded the non profit corporation known as United We Can. The recycling center now provides employment for 30 regular employees, and 100 part timers from DTES. Ken's contribution to the life of DTES was honored by the mayor of Vancouver who appointed him to light the cauldron  for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Now retired, Ken was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia.

Please click on Ken's Story to hear him personally. The second video demonstrates his heart and humility.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

A Day in DTES...

A number of you have been wondering how things are going up here. I thought I would
use yesterday (8-31-11) as an illustration.

7:15 Leave Birch Bay for DTES (38 miles).

8:30 Arrive at First United and visit with Michael who I spot having breakfast. I responded
        to the question he baited me with last week about John Calvin and the apocrypha if
        you can imagine. Told him I was mistaken and what I had learned.

9:00 Lead Spiritual Focus, introduce Proverbs 1:1-7, and the four types of men
        (thanks Steve W). Topic is well  received and great discussion. Juan says he will
         be back and wants to talk to me privately. Will start picking selected Proverbs
         to discuss each week for awhile.

10:00 Visit some more with Michael who admits he has been a “scoffer” to me and
          he is starting to trust me. This is BIG for both of us! Shared a warm handshake.
          He is really bright and I am eager to learn more about his background.

10:30 Brief visit with Juan who has previously shared he was kidnapped and spent
         18 years in a Civil War in Central America. He's been clean 3 days and struggling.

11:00 Go two blocks to the Dugout and visit with familiar folks there.

11:30 Juan shows, we visit and he agrees to stay for the AA meeting at 12:30.

12:30 Juan has been to meetings before, but seems to have renewed interest. He agrees
         to come over and visit some more tomorrow. I forgot to take off my chaplain badge,
         and an AA member asks if I hear 5th steps.

1:30 I walk down to the Carnegy Center and have baked chicken, small salad, and drink
        for $2.25. I recognize and greet a few workers here I know from the church.

2:00 Visit with new friend Barry who manages the Dugout. He has a friend who is a social
        worker and will get  me a list of all the half way houses in the area. Share a little with
        Barry about my interest in equipping churches in providing a vital spiritual / social
        alternative to the drug culture.

2:30 Make myself available at Dugout, visit with Sharon who is 76 years old, been
        clean for 40 years and sponsors women at the women’s shelters in the area. Visit
        with her about a gal at the church I have been concerned about who is trying to get
        clean. I will try to get them together at the Dugout if I see the gal again.

3:30 Go back over to the church and make myself available. Visit with one of the
       staff who was abused in a church when he was a child. He’s been clean for 4 years
       but still very suspicious about “church.”

4:30 Head for home.

6:00 Finally get home. (A major accident on the freeway, traffic really slow today).

7:00 Go to small group at local church I have been attending. They are hosting my
       workshop on addiction at the end of the month. Very warm and authentic group.

Hope this gives you a better idea. Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and financial support.

Ross