INSIGHTS AND REFLECTIONS Fall 2001

Next Association Meeting .... October 21, 2001 .... Details Below

a Publication of the New Jersey Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling

Purpose:

• To explore issues of Spirituality as related to the issues and concerns of our clients and the practice of professional counseling.
• To serve as a resource for the counseling profession in developing competence to address spiritual, ethical and religious issues, within the context of an increasingly multicultural society.
• To provide state leadership in moral and social justice issues within the practice of professional counseling. Responding to Tragedy
• To contribute to the development of professional counseling in private, religious and public institutions.

I am writing to you personally because I need help.... President's Message

I knew when I made the commitment to be NJASERVIC President, I would be doing a great deal of work for the association. A few of us got together, came up with some goals and and indeed, managed to achieved them. Major accomplishments include:

• Updated By-Laws
• Created a Web Site, https://www.angelfire.com/nj/counseling/njaservic.html
• Published Six Newsletters & Placed them on our Web Page Creating an Historical Record of our Progress.
• Scheduled quarterly meetings, which all included a Formal Program approved for CEUs.

Less than a year after we were notified by NJCA that our charter was in danger of being revoked, I am able to report that NJASERVIC has brightened and now enjoys an all time membership high. That fact contributed to the illusion that my leadership was just fine. Everything seemed wonderful at the time I invited you to the June 22nd, summer retreat meeting at my home in Southern New Jersey.

I wanted the program to be exceptional, gave my best in preparation and was satisfied with these promotional words,

" Workshop includes meditation, swimming, energy work, drumming, journal writing, exploring organic gardening, the pond, the river, and pathwork on a 3 1/3 acre place called Sanctuary at the edge of the Southern New Jersey Pine Barrens."

I thanked the universe for the beautiful day, pleasantly warm with bright blue sky. I walked to my garden. Majestically, a thirteen-foot sunflower stood in full bloom. I picked and ate raspberries a few feet from humming birds taking nectar from abundant stalks of red Bee Balm. There were still significant sugar snap peas perfect for picking. As time for your arrival neared, I decided to sit and wait at the gold fish pond. While watching damsel flies perform aerial mating acrobatics, something tiny caught my eye. Over the next few minutes I watched in awe as hundreds of tiny toads (they were really cute) emerged for the first time to begin their life on land. I just felt wonderful experiencing the unfolding of a very special day, very pleased knowing with the honor of your presence, I would be sharing significantly more of my world with you.

You did not come. I spent the day alone.

I wrote a lot in my journal that day and found the time to think about new goals.

• Submit a full range of NJASERVIC sponsored worksops for the NJCA Annual Conference. Of course, I will need members with presentation skills to offer to facilitate a workshop. Do you have something to offer on Spirituality, Ethics, Religion or Values?
• Continue to publish Newsletters. Vince Poisella agreed to get us going and served us well. He has moved on. Are you willing to take on the responsibility of Newsletter Editor.
• Continue to hold regional meetings with worthwhile programs. Do you even want the opportunity to earn a few CEUs? Will you show up?
• Continue to develop the Web Site. I am really proud of our web site, but I could use more ideas on improvement. Have you even looked at it?

I am writing to you because you are are counselor and a counselor that has joined NJASERVIC. You are in the helping profession. I really do need help. I am not writing these words just to take up space. I am very serious. I need to receive communication. Are you not in the direction I turn? I do not want to be alone.

Our meeting and workshops are for you. You need the support of your colleagues!

How do we as counselors address our national tragedy as it affects both ourselves and our clients?

Please attend our brunch workshop; we need each other's support.

Home of E. Betty Levin, President-Elect, 117 Sagamore Road, Millburn
Please RSVP no later than Saturday, October 13 by calling 973-763-1033.

Partial Agenda:
• Theme: As counselors in a hurting community, how does our NJASERVIC focus on spirituality impact the lives of our clients as a source of guidance, strength and healing?
• Process: Silent meditation to help us reach for the Source of Healing and Strength and a request for Guidance in our work as counselors.
• Discussion: Sharing our "Source of Healing" experience followed by an openended discussion.
• Process: Closing Meditation, Prayer for Peace.

Brunch will be served, No charge. CEU credits will be awarded.

• Garden State Parkway Driving North: Exit 139B, Chestnut Avenue, Union. Right onto Chestnut, proceeding under Parkway, continue right past light to small traffic circle (clock in center), proceed around circle to Elmwood Avenue to first light, right onto Caldwell Avenue, across Morris Avenue to dead end, left on Vaux Hall Road for several miles to dead end. Left onto Millburn Avenue (Millburn mini-mall on right). Next light, right onto Wyoming Avenue, 8 streets to Maple. Left onto Maple for 1 block to Sagamore. Left onto Sagamore to 2nd Driveway on right. Park on street or in driveway. 117 is a White Ranch House.
• Garden State Parkway Driving South: Exit 142, 78West,Springfield Newark Air Port. Continue to Exit 50B, Milburn, Springfield. Right onto Vaux Hall Road. Proceed as described above.

Betty Levin 973-763-1033

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