Presence to Participation: The Spirit is Not Disabled

Webinar 6 (Mar. 10, 2022): Peace and Quiet

This Webinar will feature a presentation from Captain Barb Stanley Director of Pastoral Services for the Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda entitled “Peace and Quiet” which will look at how we were created for rhythms of work and rest. What happens to body, mind and spirit when we are in constant chaos, living day to day without peace, quiet and calm? What could be the place of meditation and mindfulness in our own experience as well as within our programmes and churches?

This webinar will also feature a lived experience discussion from Lesley Squair entitled: “How the Salvation Army as a ‘Place of Refuge’ and a ‘People of Refuge’ Changed My Life.”

Featured this week:

Captain Barb Stanley, Director of Pastoral Services for the Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

Barb has been part of the Pastoral Services Department since 2009 and enjoys connecting with Officers and their families. Having graduated in 1992 with her Masters in counselling, Barb integrates ministry, psychology and spiritual development in her role at Pastoral Services. One of her greatest joys is teaching, and more specifically the ability to give people tools for life and ministry. Most recently Barb has been studying ‘Neuroscience of God and Faith’, ‘Trauma Treatment Certification’, ‘Re-wiring the Brain for Mental Health: Neuroscience based techniques’ and ‘Neuroscience for Clinicians’.

In her spare time Barb loves to walk, paint and drink coffee – just not all at the same time.

Lesley Squair, Client with CEPE and the TEP Program at Salvation Army Broadview Village

Lesley Squair, client with CEPE and the TEP Program at Salvation Army Broadview Village since 2013. She will share about her recovery journey as someone who battled with substance use disorder for many years and who currently lives well with a mental health diagnosis in a presentation entitled: “How the Salvation Army as a ‘Place of Refuge’ and a ‘People of Refuge’ Changed My Life”.

Devotional
Please read 2 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Two years ago, I worked at a Salvation Army summer camp. I was on the travel team, this meant we went to different towns in British Columbia and facilitated day camp at the local churches. We were in a new city every week for almost two months. I struggled to spend so much time with the same four people, as well as having social anxiety; I am definitely an introvert and I like to have alone time, which we all got very little of. Before we left for the summer, we had one week of staff training with all the staff who were at the camp for the summer. We also had separate sessions as a team where we got to know each other and decided who would take on what roles for our camps. I was pretty worried about how my anxiety would affect my ability to do my job. I had very little experience or confidence teaching others about God and would pretty much do anything to avoid speaking in front of a crowd. While in one of our team building sessions, we formed a circle and prayed for each other. I requested that my partner pray for my anxiety. He prayed that God would give me the spirit of courage. This was the first time that someone had pointed out to me that God created me with courage, not fear.

How wonderful to be made with power, love, and a sound mind! It is easy to be self-critical, especially when we think of talking to others about God’s message. We might think to ourselves “Am I really the best person for the job?” In the next verse, 2 Tim. 1:8, it says “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord..”. It is no mistake that Paul tells Timothy that God gave him power and love, and in the same breath, said not to be ashamed of the Lord’s testimony. God calls all of us to share his word and to not be ashamed! We are all made capable and loved.

That summer I had to really use that courage. I had to do a lot of things I was afraid of, like praying in front of a large group, but God was with me through all of it. Having the realization that God gave me the spirit of power did not cure my anxiety. This continues to be something I struggle with, but knowing that I am who God made me to be, even with anxiety, has continued to give me peace in my life.