 In this Edition
Notes from the Chair
NW Regional Conference on Diversity
2009 AAPC NW Election Ballot
Pastoral Counseling Degrees in Alberta
Job Opening for D.Min.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Workshop
NW Region Member Update
Editor's Message
Inspirational Quote
Notes from the Chair
Regional committees, as I noted in my message to the last newsletter, are still seeking additional members or co-chairs, so please let them or me know of your interest. And keep the fall conference in mind, "The Diversity in Family Formation," October 30-31 at Seattle University.
My news otherwise is a result of my attendance as an observer/visitor at the churchwide assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We managed to get headlines and even front-page mention in the local Minneapolis paper, CNN, NBC, etc., because we dealt with controversial issues.
The voting members, after considerable discussion, approved a social statement, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust." A major emphasis of the statement is relationships and commitment. However, there is a contingent of ELCA folks who have strong feelings against homosexuality who took every opportunity during the proceedings to voice their opposition (I thought they were very repetitious and tiresome). They were countered by people who also cited Scripture to support their position on acceptance, inclusion, love, etc.
The same discussion continued during a proposal to permit ordination of homosexual persons in committed relationships. Voting members approved a series of resolutions to set the wheels in motion to change policies. Emphasis throughout was that nobody MUST call a gay/lesbian pastor, but congregations will have that option (to call some very well qualified people).
We realized, particularly after this highly emotional discussion, that a number of unhappy people (we aren't sure how many, but they are very vocal) feel that the church has betrayed them, ignored them, etc. This will certainly keep the Holy Spirit busy in overseeing discussion aimed at allowing people to differ while maintaining a common faith. Lot of work, too, for pastoral counselors seeking reconciliation!
Oh, yes, the assembly also approved partnership with the United Methodist Church — nobody knows why it took so long! We approved funding against malaria and AIDS/HIV. And the usual business of elections, budgets, etc., even was finished early!
—Sally Wing, Chair, NW Region, AAPC
NW Regional Conference on Diversity
This year's AAPC Northwest Region Conference features an unprecedented lineup of speakers from a breadth of backgrounds. They will delve into various aspects of family formation in a multicultural context, to provide perspectives that deepen our understanding. Several of our speakers are approved supervisors of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and their colleagues have been invited to attend the conference. CLINTON MCNAIR, Ph.D.  Clinton Mc.Nair is Director and Associate Professor of Pastoral Counseling at Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry. Prior to that, he was clinical director of the Christian Theological Seminary, in Indianapolis, IN. Dr. McNair is a registered counselor in the State of Washington, Diplomate in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, trained in mindful coaching, a candidate for Approved Supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, an ordained American Baptist minister, and holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and Pastoral Counseling.
An AAPC Diplomate, he will be speaking on “Formation and challenges of multicultural family.” CHRISTIE EPPLER, Ph.D.  Dr. Eppler holds a B.A. in English Literature from Wheaton College, a M.A. in Counseling Psychology/Counseling and Guidance from University of Missouri, Kansas City, and both a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Ph.D. in Family and Child Ecology from Michigan State University. Her clinical training covers the complete age span of children, youth, and adults through work in an elementary school setting, community based clinics and a college counseling center. Dr. Eppler is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, Washington), and holds an approved supervisor designation from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT). She will be speaking on “Exploring spirituality in a multicultural family." KAREN QUEK, Ph.D.  Dr. Queck is Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. She received her Doctorate from Loma Linda University and has worked as an assistant professor and director of clinical training at Seattle Pacific University. Her research interests include family diversity issues, gender construction in couples, family and community systemic practice and the therapeutic use of self.
She will be speaking on “The immigrant experience.” WILLIAM K. COLLINS, Ph.D.  Dr. Collins is Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Training Center, Samaritan Center of Puget Sound. After receiving his doctorate in physics, he later earned an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Seattle Pacific University. Dr. Collins specializes in couples dynamics and growth, relationship problems, respectful work with families, parental concerns about children's behaviors and supervision in marriage and family therapy. Currently, he is a member of the Ethics, Training and Standards Committee of the Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and was named WAMFT Distinguished Clinical Member.
He will be speaking on “The ethics of attending to multicultural families." There will be opportunities for theological reflection through case presentation and a panel. Panel members will come from multiple faiths — Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, and Jewish. Get the Early Bird Rate and register by September 25. Registration forms are available in Word or PDF. Call early to get your first choice for room reservations. Mention the lodging rate advertised in the brochure.
2009 AAPC NW Election Ballot
Members of the region for whom the Association has an e-mail address have received their ballot and instructions via email and should return the ballot to John Carr no later than October 28.
You will have an opportunity to vote on the nominees for regional leadership and a change in the regional guidelines to revise the electoral process. Since our last newsletter, we are pleased to report that Margaret Pierce has volunteered to serve as Treasurer. She is a recent graduate of the Seattle University program. A student member of AAPC, she is in process of applying to become a Certified Pastoral Counselor. Spaces are still open for a Regional Certification Committee Member (2009-2012) and the Leadership Development Co-Chair (2009-2012). The Leadership Development Co-Chair position is a chance to work together with John Carr to ensure quality leadership for the future of the region. The Regional Certification Committee reviews applications for membership in the AAPC Northwest Region and members serve as guides in the application process.
If you did not receive a ballot, contact John Carr by phone, fax, or snail mail and he will send one.
John C. CarrLeadership Development Chair, AAPC – NW Region 9668 – 77 Street Edmonton, AB, Canada T6C 2M7 phone: 780-554-7678 fax 780-466-7678 pthyanded@shaw.ca
Pastoral Counseling Degrees in Alberta Canada
St. Stephen’s College, located in Edmonton on the main campus of The University of Alberta was founded in 1908 with a commitment to theological education. The college offers both a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Psychology and Counseling as well as a Doctor of Ministry program.
For several years, the college has had a spiritually informed Art Therapy program which is accredited by the Canadian Art Therapy Association. Students can specialize during their M.A. program or take the stand alone Art Therapy Certificate program. Courses are offered in Edmonton or Calgary in one-week intensives (Mon – Fri, 9 am to 5 pm). The M.A. (PPC) Program Coordinator is Julie Henkelman, Ph.D., Reg. Psych. The recently appointed Art Therapy Program Coordinator is Tatiana Peet, M.A.
The D.Min. Program, initiated in the late 1970s, is one of the oldest programs in Canada. Candidates follow either the Ecclesial or Clinical stream. Core courses and collegiums are offered on site for one, two, or three-week time-frames with the learners needing to be in Edmonton once or twice a year over a 4-year period. Other courses are taken via the Internet, Independent Study Courses, or in the learner’s local context. Practicums and ministry projects are conducted in the learner’s ministry setting. The learning process culminates in a Project-Dissertation.
For more information, visit the web site http://www.ualberta.ca/ST.STEPHENS/ .
Job Opening for D.Min.
The St. Stephen’s College D.Min. Program is looking for a half-time D.Min. Program Coordinator. The program depends on a strong core group of volunteer Associate Faculty who have doctoral level expertise in a broad range of disciplines and specializations (parish pastor, pastoral counselor, psychologist, educator, physician, scientist). Contact the College Dean (Dr. Earle Sharam esharam@ualberta.ca), if you are interested. John Carr (pthyanded@shaw.ca ) can provide information on opportunities for developing a pastoral counseling practice in the Greater Edmonton area.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Workshop
Learn about how to recognize the symptoms, the possible causes and most importantly effective treatment. Friday October 2, 12:30 - 3:30, at the First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA. Facilitators will be Doug McLemore and Carol Johnson Sorenson of Pacific Pastoral Counseling Service of Olympia and Silverdale. Both facilitators are United Methodist Clergy and Fellows in AAPC. Fee: $25.00 per person. Please contact Doug at 360-692-9524 or Carol at 360-790-3286 to register.
NW Region Member Update
John Carr, Ph.D. (AAPC Diplomate) of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada had knee surgery in May. His artificial knee is gradually becoming more functional and his leg stronger. He has been able to play 9 holes of golf, several mornings a week, since the last week of July.
Editor's Message
I am embarrassed to say that I made an error in the May newsletter and I am happy to report that the mistake means I will be able to attend the Northwest Region 2009 Fall Conference in Seattle after all. As it turns out, the Pacific Northwest Regional Executive Committee of the American Friends Service Committee meeting does not conflict with the date of our AAPC NW regional conference.
Given that I have a nephew with a multicultural family, I am thrilled to learn more from the experts that will be part of our regional conference. I am also excited to make my first visit to the campus of the Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry, where the conference will be held. To top it off, I am proud that our region is making great strides in offering a conference that supports cultural, theological and professional diversity. What's more, the focus of the conference is on family systems, a field near and dear to my heart. I look forward to reuniting with my supportive colleagues and making new connections at this valuable conference.
I've invited my husband to join me as our guest at the Friday night dinner. I think he will enjoy the dinner presentation on "Formation and Challenges of Multicultural Families" and the theological reflections from of panel of diverse spiritual traditions. We recently moved to a new home near Multnomah Village in Portland. We have also been getting our former home ready for rental. It will be nice to get away to the Silver Cloud Hotel, across the street from the Seattle University. We will appreciate the high speed wireless Internet access, complimentary breakfast and indoor pool. See you soon.
—Eddy Marie Crouch
Inspirational Quote
"If I ran a school, I'd give the average grade to the ones who gave me all the right answers, for being good parrots. I'd give the top grades to those who made a lot of mistakes and told me about them, and then told me what they learned from them."
—R. Buckminster Fuller
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