Tool: Seek a Restorative Path
Seeking a restorative path requires awareness, self-reflection, and creativity. The questions may provide directions from which to approach, and continue in the journey of restoration and healing.
“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence” – Henry David Thoreau.
Ways in which you can do this:
- Love one another in Christ has called us*
- Be aware of the relationship between your congregation and your community
- Partner with others in your context, in other faith communities, and in your community at large
- Imagine the vision of wholeness and health for you, veterans, your congregation and your community.
- Explore new opportunities for ministry (think outside the box)
* Other faith traditions may use their own doctrines of interconnectedness or love.
If trauma, conflict or injustice is recognized as need within the veterans’ ministry team or congregation the following tools can assist in navigation.
Articles
- Moral Injury Shows the Limits of Forgiveness – an article by Max Lindenman posted on Patheos
- Richmond Times Dispatch – In rural Loudoun, a refuge for combat vets and their families
- FOX News Health: US veterans find combat-related stress relief in holistic-medicine retreat
- The Atlantic – Healing a Wounded Sense of Morality
- The Huffington Post – Moral Injury
- 7 Practical Things the Church Can Do for Veterans
- Formed by War
- Art Therapy, Gets to the Soul of the Matter
- United Methodist Endorsing Agency: War and the Soul – Book Review
- General Board of Higher Education and Ministry: From Warrior to Citizen
Organizations
- Make the Connection
- REZVETS
- Military Outreach USA
- Boulder Crest Retreat
- Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
- Wesley Theological Seminary – Health Ministry
- Caregiver Community Program
- Soldier’s Heart
- Combat Trauma Support Group
- Minnesota National Guard: Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
Curriculums
- “Caregiver, a Personal Story,” by Sharon Cooney
- Soul Care: Day of Learning, by Pat Litzinger
- Soul Care Conversation (Caregiver)
- Make the Connection
- Soul Care Conversation (Spiritual Model for Healing from Moral Injury; Sixth Step – Accountability)
- Soul Care Conversation (Spiritual Model for Healing from Moral Injury; Fifth Step – Making Amends)
- Soul Care Conversation (Spiritual Model for Healing from Moral Injury; Fourth Step – Renewal of the Mind)
- Soul Care Conversation (Spiritual Model for Healing from Moral Injury; Third Step – Self-Acceptance)
- Refresh Your Soul – Reflections by Molly Shivers
- Moral Injury Shows the Limits of Forgiveness – an article by Max Lindenman posted on Patheos
Congregational Resources
- Soul Repair Center: Moral Injury Worship Guide
- Memorial Day Sunday Worship Celebration
- Veteran Spiritual Mentoring
- UMEA: Empowering Ministerial Reintegration and Resilience
- Vet to Vet Peer Support
- Veterans Day Sunday Worship Celebration
- Service of Healing, Experiential with Non-traditional Liturgy
- Service of Healing for Combat Veterans, Experiential with Liturgy
- Service of Healing (Experiential) – Preparation and Process
- Service of Remorse, Resolution and Restoration – Experiential, non-traditional liturgy
