St. Peter’s Health, The Montana VA Health Care system, Carroll College, and Montana Joining Community Forces have partnered to offer “Community Clergy Training : Wounds of War” on April 11.
The goal of the event is to educate clergy members, counselors and the medical community on issues facing returning veterans.
Training will address the psychological, physical, behavior and spiritual effect of war trauma on survivors and their families.
“Our hope is that it helps attendees understand veterans better and understand the wounds that they receive as a result of war,” said Brandy Keely, Carroll College Veterans Services Coordinator, “and give them the tools so they can better help serve them.”
Attendees will learn common practices for broaching sometimes difficult subjects with veterans and be connected with VA, community mental health and other faith-based programs.
Keely notes in Montana veterans will often turn to their local priest, pastor or other faith leader before seeking professional help.
“The more that the clergy understands and can identify with the veteran the better prepared they’re going to be serve them,” said Keely.
Tim Weidlich, Clinical Chaplain with the Montana VA Health Care System, stressed the importance of community leaders understanding how to support those who are struggling with returning to civilian life.
As a pastor, Weidlich had a Vietnam veteran whose family attended his church regularly, but the veteran would never attend himself.
“One day I asked him why he wasn’t attending when it clearly meant so much to his family,” explained Weidlich. “He look at me with this really sad look and he said, ‘Oh Pastor, God could never forgive me for the things I did and saw in Vietnam.”
Weidlich said at the time he didn’t understand why the man would feel that way. The more time the Chaplin spoke with other veterans, the more he saw the differences in helping them compared to a civilian.
“I’ve been able to listen and to hear and even think a little bit differently about the kinds of things they go through that I had no idea before,” said Weidlich.
Community Clergy Training: Wounds of War
Thursday, April 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
St. Peter’s Health Regional Medical Center
The registration deadline for the event Thursday, April 4. The event is free of charge to attendees and lunch will be provided.
Click here for more information about the event.
-Reported by John Riley/MTN News
