|
|
MESSAGE
FROM THE CHAIRPERSON (December 2010)
Dear Friends
What a year to reflect on, particularly in this latter half. Most of us approach
Christmas now, with very mixed feelings. We have the joy in our hearts knowing that
we are celebrating once more the birth of Jesus, our Saviour. We have sadness in
our hearts as we remember those in the Pike River mining fatality and think of the
families, friends and colleagues as they approach Christmas without their loved
ones. We remember too, the people here in Christchurch who have been uprooted, and
their lives turned upside down, from the earthquake in September, and the ongoing
aftershocks. Individuals and communities in turmoil, shock and grief.
May we add our love, condolences and prayers to all people who have suffered from
these tragedies. We wish them, and any of you who are affected here in Christchurch,
comfort and healing, love and support to ease their/your pain and trauma, as they/you
learn to readjust to life in the coming year.
We, of P.A.T.H.S., see this turmoil and grief too in the people who come to us for
help from an abortion. Our prayers are for them as well, as they seek support and
help with us. Our thanks go out to all our counsellors who offer this support to
them, here in Christchurch and in other areas of New Zealand too now.
Our organisation has reached an exciting stage of extending our counselling service
beyond Christchurch, with trained counsellors in other towns and cities, and we
are trialling this new venture of P.A.T.H.S. Counselling Partners(PCP). As this
development progresses we will keep you informed in our ongoing newsletters. This
has grown out of the ongoing training seminars that we offer nationally, and the
recruitment and interest of trained counsellors in other centres around the country.
On a more sombre note we are very sad to see our Treasurer retiring this year. Phil
Gnad has been with us from the start of P.A.T.H.S, seeing us through thick and thin:
extending himself as we grew and developed. So it is with great sadness we see him
leave this position, but with extremely grateful hearts for all that he has done
for us. Phil will continue to be a member of the Trust. Thank you Phil.
Christmas, a time to celebrate! As we rush to prepare for the festivities, as we
rush to prepare for summer holidays, as we rush to attend end of year functions,
may we also take time to remember the coming of Jesus. The message he brings of
love, peace, joy and hope. May we take time to give thanks for these gifts given
for each one of us. May we take time to think and pray for those who will be struggling
this Christmas to find the peace, the hope, the joy and love, from the losses and
trauma in their lives this year.
May Christ, the newborn babe of Christmas, bless you all, as we of P.A.T.H.S thank
you for your ongoing support and interest. It is wonderful to have you all there.
Jan Brodie
ABOUT THE POST-ABORTION TRAUMA HEALING SERVICE
·
Healing
facilitation
-
we provide trained, empathetic, non-judgemental counselling-support for women and
men who have lost a preborn through abortion, either recent or in the past,
offering
facilitation through a proven 10 Step Programme.
The programme used is based
on former USA Victims of Choice Abortion Recovery Programme and is suited to both
those of a Christian faith or philosophy and those not.
·
Facilitation
training
-
we
offer training in post-abortion loss and trauma and healing or recovery to counsellors,
therapists, social workers, clergy and chaplains, doctors, pastoral care people....
·
Newsletter
& resources
-
we produce a triannual newsletter and have some post-abortion resources available,
which are available upon request. Much of the information on this site is available
in our published booklet "The After Effects of Abortion - Insights into the Loss
and Trauma of Abortion", which is available for $NZ5.00 plus postage and handling.
Please
contact us
if you would like to be placed on
our mailing list or would like a copy / copies of our booklet.
·
Education
and outreach
-
one of our main aims is to educate people about the reality of post-abortion issues.
We offer talks to health, counselling and community groups. Our
“Hope for the Hurting”
and
“Abortion Loss and Trauma” presentations,
explore the possible physical.
psychological and spiritual effects of abortion and needs of those adversely affected
or struggling afterwards. We seek opportunities to speak and raise awareness in
the community, hoping that those adversely affected by abortion might avail themselves
of help.
·
Remembrance-Healing
services
-
we
have developed a sensitive uplifting remembrance-healing service for all those who
have experienced pregnancy loss, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal
death, induced labour for foetal abnormality or abortion. We assist churches
or groups willing to host these services (See P.A.T.H.S. Events section below for
date of next remembrance-healing service).
·
Support
Group
-
We have
launched the
P.A.T.H.S. Support Group
for those who have experienced an abortion,
whether recently or in the past. The group is facilitated by experienced and trained
post-abortion counsellors. It is a safe, caring and confidential place for people
to share around the very sensitive issues and feelings associated with an abortion
experience. We would also like to see support groups for men directly or indirectly
affected by abortion. Attempts so far to set up a
MABA (Men Affected by Abortion)
Group
have not met with success for want of a male facilitator willing to
be trained in post-abortion issues for men, and participants. In other countries
men are beginning to come together to share their experiences in support settings
and we believe it could be worthwhile here too.
·
FRIENDS
of P.A.T.H.S.
-
when people make
a donation (of $10 or more)
in support of our work they
automatically
join F.R.I.E.N.D.S. of P.A.T.H.S.
and receive our triannual
newsletter and notices about any of our special activities. Occasionally some of
our FRIENDS may volunteer to assist at gatherings, particularly in welcoming and
hospitality roles.
·
Prayer
Network
-
we
have a network of people who pray for the needs of the organisation. Due to the
nature and depth of the healing work this kind of spiritual cover is invaluable.
Clients, even non-Christian clients, often appreciate being supported and uplifted
spiritually too.
·
Networking
with other agencies or groups
-
we network with individuals and groups who are involved in the post-abortion
and related fields of research or ministry both in New Zealand and overseas. Issues
facing post-aborted women and men are universal.
·
Longer Term Goals
-
Distribution of our
information booklet to libraries, education and health facilities
-
Offering regular training
of facilitators/counsellors in all the main centers with a view to developing a
national netowrk of P.A.T.H.S. counsellors and support groups
-
National Conference
-
Memorial site in cemetery
or park
-
MABA (Men Affected by
Abortion) Group
·
Charitable
Trust
-
The P.A.T.H.S.
Charitable Trust was constituted in December 1997, in Christchurch, New Zealand.
P.A.T.H.S. is TOTALLY reliant on DONATIONS / GRANTS.
We have been fortunate
to date to receive a few significant grants from a private trust and various donations
from individuals and groups supportive of our work, without which we would not exist
or be able to provide a service.
If you would like to make a contribution small
or large please send a cheque or money order to our
postal address
or if preferred an regular automatic payment can be arranged.
·
P.A.T.H.S. Funding
-
P.A.T.H.S. would like to extend a special thanks to
-
The Frimley Foundation & Springhill Charitable Trust
-
The Carbeth Trust
-
The Canterbury Community Trust
-
COGS (Community Organisations Grants Scheme)
-
Tindall Foundation & Catholic Diocesan Welfare Fund
-
All donors and FRIENDS of P.A.T.H.S.
for your financial contributions and support for the work and development
of P.A.T.H.S.
·
P.A.T.H.S.
Team
-
We
are interested in hearing from people who may wish to become involved in some way.
It makes
a difference
As the
old man walked the beach at dawn,
he noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the
sea.
Catching up with the youth, he asked him why he was doing this.
The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun.
But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish countered the
other.
How can your effort make any difference?
The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and threw it to the safety of the
waves.
It makes a difference to this one, he said.
P.A.T.H.S.EVENTS or INITIATIVES for 2010
SUPPORT
GROUP
2nd Wednesday of the month
at 7.30 pm
Ever had an abortion?
Know someone who has?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Abortion loss and trauma can be isolating and emotional. The P.A.T.H.S. Support
Group is a friendly confidential place to share about your experience. Ongoing trained
support is available
For more information and venue details email
[email protected]
.
Read the
support group newsletter article
P.A.T.H.S.
EVENTS ALREADY HELD IN 2010
14th June
P.A.T.H.S. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
27-28 May
POST ABORTION SEMINAR, CHRISTCHURCH
29-30 April
POST ABORTION SEMINAR, AUCKLAND
24-25 April
POST ABORTION SEMINAR, WELLINGTON
February 12
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE, RANGIORA
P.A.T.H.S.
EVENTS HELD IN 2009
21 March
TE WAIORA GARDEN PARTY - P.A.T.H.S. Stall, CHRISTCHURCH
26 March 09
NZAC COLLOQUIUM - Present P.A.T.H.S.& facilitate discussion, CHRISTCHURCH
28 March
ASIA NZ OBSTETRICIANS/GYNAECOLOGISTS CONFERENCE - P.A.T.H.S. info, CHRISTCHURCH
08 April
RIGHT TO LIFE AGM - Carolina Gnad - Guest Speaker - P.A.T.H.S., CHRISTCHURCH
29-30 April
PROJECT RACHEL - P.A.T.H.S. Facilitation of a couple of workshops, HAMILTON
8-9 May
JUST 4 HER - WOMEN’S EXPO - P.A.T.H.S. information table, CHRISTCHURCH
28 May
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE, CHRISTCHURCH
8-9 October
POST ABORTION SEMINAR, Campbell Counselling Centre, CHRISTCHURCH
17-20 October
NZAC CONFERENCE - P.A.T.H.S. workshop, HAMILTON
29-30 October
POST-ABORTION COUNSELLING TRAINING - Project Rachel, HAMILTON
P.A.T.H.S.
EVENTS HELD IN 2008
Saturday March 15
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE, La Vida Centre, CHRISTCHURCH
Wednesday 3 September
AFTER ABORTION FORUM, Campbell Centre, CHRISTCHURCH
Friday September 19 - Saturday
September 20
POST ABORTION SEMINAR, Petersgate Counselling Centre, CHRISTCHURCH
Tuesday 21 October
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE, Linwood Baptist Church, CHRISTCHURCH
22 April - WORKSHOP (half
day), John Paul II Centre, CHRISTCHURCH
1-4 May - Attended, had
information table and represented P.A.T.H.s. at NZCCA (NZ Christian Counsellors
Conference), CHRISTCHURCH
10 May - TALK to group with
Anglican Ordination Programme, CHRISTCHURCH
PRESENTATION,
Anglican Clinical Pastoral Education group, CHRISTCHURCH
17-18 May - SEMINAR (2 days)
hosted by Pregnancy Counselling Services, GISBORNE
22 May - Attended & represented
P.A.T.H.S. at the Inaugural Cherish Network Meeting, AUCKLAND
20 July - TALK to women
at Reformed Church of Bishopdale, CHRISTCHURCH
1 August - WORKSHOP (full
day) for Counselling Programme, CPIT, CHRISTCHURCH
13 August - WORKSHOP (half
day) for student counsellors at Vision College, CHRISTCHURCH
12-14 September - Attended,
with information table, the Midwifery Conference, AUCKLAND
26 September - Speaker at
Voice for Life Conference, Auckland
29 October - Representative
for P.A.T.H.S. attended and distributed information at the Maternal Mental Health
Day, AUCKLAND
P.A.T.H.S.
EVENTS HELD IN CHRISTCHURCH 2007
Friday FEBRUARY 9th
- Radio Broadcast : Radio Station: Plains FM96.9
Tuesday FEBRUARY 13th
- Remembrance Service : Linwood Baptist Church
Friday November 2 -
Saturday November 3
POST ABORTION SEMINAR, Cashmere New Life Centre
|
About P.A.T.H.S. / Events
/ What's New
