Ecumenical Healing Service in Madison, WI., today (25 May 2008).
Two posts in one day, I am like Lazarus coming out, I am.
I am speaking in Madison, Wisconsin, later on today at an ecumenical Jewish-Christian PTSD healing service. There will be a presentation about PTSD and its spiritual elements, followed by questions, hospitality and then a healing service. Since my hands already are hurting, I will lift the information and paste it in below. As I try to make a come back as a PTSD Spirituality blogger, I shall attempt to be more up to date and provide lead time to PTSD healing events that you may find of interest.
Welcome Home and Healing Service Press Release and Bulletin Information
Madison’s West Side Clergy group is hosting a Welcome Home and Healing event for veterans in the Madison area on Sunday, May 25, at Heritage Congregational Church, 3102 Prairie Rd. The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a presentation on veterans with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) by Dr. John Zemler of Marquette University. A time of hospitality and a meal will follow Dr. Zemler’s talk. At 7:00 p.m. the members of the West Side Clergy will offer a multi-faith healing services for veterans, their families and friends. Clergy, health care professionals and representatives of various veterans’ organizations will be available for counseling, conversation, support and prayer. For more information on this event, please contact Rev. Cynthia Bacon at Heritage Congregational Church: 274-0833 or revcbacon@yahoo.com.
Dr John D. Zemler has the mixed blessing of being disabled, a Christian theologian, and an Army veteran with (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His disabilities and chronic pain come from both military and civilian experiences. As a theologian he enjoys scripture, non-violence, and soul-healing and also benefits from the insights of Mahayana Buddhism and aspects of Shamanism. And, as a former Artillery Captain he has had PTSD since the 1980s. John was blessed in early 2007 to have one of his debilitative PTSD symptoms removed: He no longer has military PTSD nightmares, what he calls “the screamers..” He still retains other PTSD symptoms to varying degrees.
Since his healing he has been able to speak publicly and teach about the horror of PTSD and how to preserve lives. John also collaborates with Dr. Edward Tick (Author of War and the Soul) and diverse religious congregations and secular organizations to help raise awareness of the upcoming PTSD-Tsunami.
Madison’s West Side Clergy group is a multi-faith organization dedicated to awareness of community issues and concerns in the Madison area.