In this Edition

Notes from the Chair
Election Results
Terry Gibson's Pilgrimage Presentation
Pastoral Counselor of the Year
Terry Kriesel writes from Taiwan
NW Region Member Update
Job Opening
Inspirational Poem

Notes from the Chair

As newly elected chair of the Northwest Region, my background includes about 20 years of membership, participation on Council (and in AAPC until they changed the bylaws) as advocacy representative, and continuing interest in the work of pastoral counseling.  As a psychologist, there's a lot I don't do and a lot I don't know about what you do, so I need to hear from you where I go astray. I would like to hear everyone's concerns, suggestions, etc., about how we can best conduct our business to serve our members and provide pastoral counseling services to those who need them.  My thanks in making a transition to this position go especially to Marcia Matthaei, my mentor for the tasks I'll be doing.

Here are several people you need to keep high on your list of e-mail correspondents:

Our Fall 2008 conference at University Place, Portland, included a presentation by Terry Gibson, long time Regional member (see thank you below).  AAPC President Joretta Marshall led a focus group for the AAPC Multicultural Competencies and Racial Justice Project, which plans an AAPC program on diversity at the 2010 conference. We responded to questions about diversity, racism, and multicultural competency.  

Plans are under way for the 2009 Fall Conference at Seattle University, under the leadership of John Carr.  Please share with him your ideas for speakers, workshops, format, etc.

—Sally Wing, NW Region Chair

Election Results

This is to announce the results of the 2008 election of Officers, Committee Chairpersons, and Certification Committee Members, as well as the approval of the revisions to the Region’s Bylaws/Guidelines. All of the nominees on the ballot were elected and the revised regional guidelines were adopted. Sally Wing agreed to serve as our Regional Chair and was confirmed in that discernment by the Regional Council and installed at the Annual Meeting.
 
Please note that we are still looking for someone who will commit to be our leader in the role of Chair during 2010-2012, in the meantime functioning as understudy in the role of Vice Chair. We are also looking for someone to look after the Annual Fall Conference planning. 
 

Our deep gratitude to Marcia Matthaei for her leadership and hard work over the last eight years. We will miss her warm and gracious ways. Many thanks also to Jules Auger and Andrew Whitmount, who have retired from office. Our appreciation to those who have just stepped forward: Sally Wing (appointed by Council), Martha Callum, Tim Bartlett, Jim Boyer, Jim Stumbo, and Eddy Crouch.

Terry Gibson's Pilgrimage Presentation

Many thanks to Terry Gibson for his thoughtful and inspiring presentation at the 2008 Fall Conference: Pilgrimage: A Jungian Perspective on Contemporary Clinical and Cultural Understandings of an Ancient, Therapeutic Archetype. He has kindly offered to AAPCNW Region members online access to the four Powerpoint presentations he delivered. For the URL, username and password, please email the editor.

Pastoral Counselor of the Year

The evening of Oct. 3, 2008 at the 2008 Regional Conference saw Keith Hackett, M.A., D.Min., honored as Pastoral Counselor of the Year. Many of his colleagues made statements about the active role Keith has played at both the AAPC Association and Northwest Region levels and attested to his excellence in the practice of Pastoral Counseling. Keith's family and friend, Jane Buccola, were part of the ceremony. A plaque was presented in his honor. Thank you Keith for your contribution. 

There are plans to include the list of past honorees on the AAPC NW Region website. Members are encouraged to email the editor with information regarding dates of former awards. Past Honorees include the following. (The award has not been given every year.)
 

Terry Kriesel writes from Taiwan

Here I am (3rd from the right, bottom row) for the graduation picture at China Lutheran Seminary, Hsinchu, Taiwan.  How did a 66 year old Puget Island, Washington, retired ELCA Pastor and Pastoral Counselor /Psychologist end up here you ask? 

Well, I'm not sure.  I suspect God kicked me in the "you know what" again when I wasn't looking (I'm too stubborn for anything more gentle).  I remember being a professor in the University of Iowa College of Medicine and then moving to Arizona and teaching at the University of Arizona and being pastoral counselor to clergy and families in the Grand Canyon Synod. 

Oh yeah, now I remember. Carol and I retired and moved to Puget Island (Cathlamet), Washington.  And, oh yeah, I got bored again (that ADHD never gives up).  Carol told me, "Go do what you need to do and I will be here when you come back."  And so I contacted the ELCA  Board of Missions and they sent me to CLS in Taiwan to teach pastoral care and counseling in their M.A. in pastoral counseling program (crisis counseling, family therapy, case conference, chemical dependency, advising students on their theses, etc.).  And here I am in this picture after teaching for a year there. 

I am returning in Spring 2009 to teach for another semester and then we will see.  I will tell you, I have never had so much fun teaching in my whole life.  The students are bright and eager to learn and enthusiastic about helping others.  They have taught me a thing or two about prayer and really living under God's care.  I have even learned a little Mandarin.  So don't let anyone tell you that retirement is the end of anything.  Its just the beginning of a new adventure — if you want it!  So when you retire, watch out. God might grab you when you're not looking

—Dr. Terry Kriesel, AAPC Diplomate (ret.)

NW Region Member Update

John Landgraf (Diplomate/Retired), longtime member of Pacific Region, will be moving into NW Region early in 2009. He and Laura will be settling in the Coeur d’Alene area.
 
John and Marilyn Carr will be spending most of January and February 2009 at the Mar Thoma Seminary in Kottayam, Kerala, S. India. John will be teaching Research Methodology and Therapy Theory courses and participating in a consultation on theological education. Marilyn will be doing Christian Education and Volunteer Management workshops.

Job Opening: Full-Time Therapist

Lutheran Counseling Network is looking for a full-time therapist for individual, couple, family and group therapy to work in the Seattle/Shoreline area. Requirements include being licensed in Washington State as a psychologist or masters level therapist, and involvement in a Christian community. Ideal candidates for the position will already live in the Puget Sound area, have extensive counseling experience and skills and be a team player. Experience in successfully building a counseling practice, current managed care/insurance panel provider memberships, and a collegial, compassionate attitude are desired.

Lutheran Counseling Network is a non-profit organization, endorsed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Resumes can be sent in confidence to Penelope Guntermann, LCN, P.O. Box 5519, Seattle, WA 98155; or through the website: www.lutherancounseling.net or to pguntermann@lutherancounseling.net. Phone: 206-364-1046, ext 2.  The deadline has been extended beyond the October 15 deadline listed on the website. The position is still open and the hiring process will begin after the holidays.

Inspirational Poem