|
|
| SEVENOAKS |
| CHRISTIAN |
| COUNSELLING |
| SERVICE |
|
|
SCCS Newsletter September 2009
Rhythms Of Grace
I would
like to share with you some words of Jesus from the end of Matthew chapter
11 in the Message version of the Bible:-
'Learn the unforced rhythms of grace, t won't lay anything heavy or
ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely
and lightly.'
These words have always had a profound effect on me and this more modern
rendering seems to bring an added dimension. Grace is at the heart of the
Christian faith. God will not force himself into our lives, but as we respond
to God through Jesus, we are privileged to enjoy some small insight into
'the deep things of God', as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians chapter
2 verse 1 0.
At the Counselling Service we come across many situations where the rhythm
of life has been disrupted, often severely. There is no quick fix. Hard
work and professional training are key to all we do. We are grateful, above
all, that the Service is based on a strong Christian foundation, and that
therefore we can trust that something of God's grace and hence of his 'deep
things' are experienced through the work we do.
Stephen Scott, Chairman of Directors
Reflections
on a learning opportunity
A student's view of the SCCS
I have
been on student placement at SCCS for six months. For some /ears I have
been working in a setting where the therapy is time-limited (six sessions
or so) but I particularly wanted the opportunity For longer term practice,
preferably working with an organisation that acknowledges the Christian
faith in its basis.
What I have found as well has been a secure and focused place in which I
can extend my skills and experience and grow professionally and personally
I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of clients and the placement
structure has released me to focus on the client relationship and, through
skilled and supportive supervision, to grow as a practitioner.
It has been a privilege to work in a practice that is so motivated by faith
and determined to provide excellence to all, clients and staff alike My
thanks to all who have enriched my time here and supported my training and
development.
Cath Jackson
Books........
Coming
Back to Me, Marcus Trescothick ,
Harper Perennial, 2002
(Especially but not exclusively for sporting types)
At age 29 Marcus Trescothick was widely regarded as one of the batting greats.
On the basis of having more than 5,000 test runs to his credit and of having
been, in 2005, part of the Ashes winning team, some pundits were predicting
that this gentle West Country giant might become England's greatest ever
batsman.
The next time Trescothick hit the headlines was for reasons no one but a
handful of close friends could have foreseen. Michael Vaughan, the captain,
having been injured, Trescothick was chosen to lead England into the first
test match against India. But on February 25th, 2006, Trescothick broke
down in tears in the dressing room. Overwhelmed by a blur of anguish and
uncertainty, within hours, England's best batsman was on the next flight
home.
Coming Back to Me replaces the myths and rumours with truth. Trescothick
talks with engaging honesty about his descent into private despair and the
circumstances behind his international retirement as he seeks to rebuild
his life.
The book takes us on a journey through his childhood and adolescence, into
adulthood and exposes the reader to the pain he endured through the stress-related
depression that afflicted him.
Towards the end of his book he acknowledges that depression is an illness
and not a weakness. He ends with these words: 'As for me, the future,
can look after itself. For now, I can go name after a day's play, pick up
my kids, give Hayley (his wife) a squeeze and know that I am so blessed
that i have come back'
Alan Forman
Sunbathing
in the Rain, Gwyneth Lewis, Flamingo, 2002
This book is subtitled 'a cheerful book about depression' and was
recommended to me by a client.
Gwyneth Lewis is an award-winning poet who has published a number of anthologies.
She has also experienced depression during her life. She wrote this book
when she was recovering from a long period of depression, because she couldn't
find the right book to help tier.
She recounts her personal story, interspersed with quotes and ideas from
others. It is an accessible book, with plenty of spaces. It can either be
read from cover to cover, or dipped into. She looks at her depression as
a murder mystery, needing to be investigated and solved. And as she tries
to piece the jigsaw of her life together, she examines who she is, where
she has come from and where she wants to go.
As well as being reflective, she offers the practical hints that have helped
her: pace yourself, look at your 'shoulds' and 'oughts', dress better than
you feel, make the most of this depression.
It is an easy read and could be helpful, particularly for those with a creative
side to their personality. At the end of the book she writes, 'Used properly,
depression is a breaking of the self that can lead to an even better healing.
. . I wouldn't swap my life now for anything.'
Jean Day
ANNUAL OPEN MEETING 2010
Thursday
20 May 2010
Tea and coffee from 7.30pm, meeting at 8.00pm
The Drive Methodist Church, The Drive, Sevenoaks, TNI3 3AB
The Rev David Lyall will speak on:
SUPERVISION AND MINISTRY
David
Lyall is a minister of the Church of Scotland. After parish ministry and
hospital chaplaincy, he taught Practical Theology at Edinburgh University,
retiring as Principal of New College. He is the author of Helping the
Helpers: Supervision and Pastoral Care (with John Foskett, SPCK 1 988),
Counselling in the Pastoral and Spiritual Context (Open University
Press 1995) and The Integrity of Pastoral Care (SPCK 2001). He
now lives in Tunbridge Wells.
AN URGENT REQUEST
Many
of our readers will be aware that the Counselling Service issued an urgent
request for additional funding at the Annual Meeting of 'Churches Together
in Sevenoaks and District', held in November. The reason for this initiative
was the substantial increase in the number of clients on our waiting list
and the need to recruit new part-time counsellors to provide additional
sessions. It was estimated that a sum of £14.000 would be needed to
provide counselling sessions for those currently on the waiting list.
We are very grateful to ali the churches and individuals who have responded
to the appeal already and so far just over £6,000 has been raised.
If you are aware that your church has not responded, it is not too late
to encourage your church committee or PCC to make a contribution. Donations
from individuals are also welcome. If you are a tax-payer, it will be possible
to reclaim the tax if you give your name and address and indicate that you
wish the donation to be treated as 'Gift Aid'. Cheques and CAP vouchers
should be made payable to SCCS and sent to the address on the front page.
Stephen Day