For those who were not able to participate in the first Zoom event with the UU Trauma Response Ministry to help us process our experience of recent wildfires, another opportunity is available to join with faith siblings from the three congregations of the Southern Oregon UU Partnership to hold and honor our collective trauma. Even if you do not feel that you personally experienced trauma in the recent fires, you presence will be helpful and healing for other participants.  PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS SESSION IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN THE LAST ONE HELD SPECIFICALLY FOR RVUUF. We want to give priority to those who have not yet had a chance to connect in this way.

The UU Trauma Response Ministry was established in 2002 and has for the past 18 years worked with congregations across the country who have faced a variety of difficult and tragic circumstances including wildfires in southern California, Hurricanes Charlie, Katrina and Maria; plus many other incidents of natural and human made disaster and trauma.  Those who have benefited in the past from the presence of UUTRM report that their work helped greatly, especially through the initial stages of their experiences.  Even those participants who didn’t personally feel as though they needed to talk found that their presence was helpful for others who did.  Please join us for this important conversation.

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Oct 10, 2020 10:30 AM Pacific Time
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIqd-iqrjsiGdF8rVG27k3L3F8kaqCCijCJ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. -SOUUP, Alison Duren-Sutherland

RVUUFian Bill Montfort attended the first session and wishes to share his notes with those who might be interested:

Advice for dealing with stress in a time of trauma– from UU Trauma zoom meeting at RVUUF
spoken to our small zoom group Sept 18 by Rev Rosemary McNatt, president of Starr King
(from notes taken by Bill Montfort– notes are incomplete)
1. Talk to people and formulate the story for yourself
2. Keep a journal– writing is healing
3. Don’t make life decisions at this time
4. Get good sleep– “nap ministry” helps
5. Eat well-balanced meals
6. Do more of what you enjoy
7. Structure your time, try to maintain a normal schedule
8. Allow yourself to have bad days
9. Beware of numbing– especially with alcohol or drugs
10. Make decisions to control your life
11. Don’t fight bad dreams— don’t give them power
12. Ask: how am I feeling in 4 weeks
13. Don’t be surprised if you forget, can’t remember
14. If you have panic attacks, use deep breathing to bring yourself back
15. Watch for physical reactions and care for yourself
16. Don’t label yourself
17. Do things that are good for
18. Let your values guide