REV. DR. MICHELE DELEAVER BALAMANI

REV. CAROLYN FRANCIS

BARAKA PASTORAL COUNSELING CENTER

1450 MERCANTILE LANE – SUITE 127

LARGO, MARYLAND 20774

Phone (301) 322-3926 FAX (301) 322-3927

APRIL 6, 2001

REF: “Clergy Care”

Dear fellow clergy,

The demands on the 21^st century clergy are unlike any in history. Without a doubt, the pressure is on today’s clergy to have more education, business savvy, corporate organizational skills, counseling skills, community involvement, charisma, and computer expertise in order to be considered competent. As expansion and building plans reach an all time high, so has the rate of “clergy casualties” who have fallen on the battlefield of spiritual leadership.

Over the past ten years it has become increasingly clear to us, personally (as ministers who are also licensed psychotherapists) and through feedback from fellow clergy, that the 21^st century clergy person must practice better self-care than that which may have been required in previous generations. “Clergy Care” is an opportunity to practice better self-care. It is a series of seminars, workshops, groups and retreats which focus on the “minister-as person” while exploring and confronting systems issues in self, family, and congregation.

We are excited to announce that the first “Clergy Care” group will begin on Monday, April 23, 2001 from 10am to 11:30am at the Baraka Pastoral Counseling Center, in Largo, Maryland. All pastors, and ordained clergy who are responsible for ministries in the church, or beyond the walls of the sanctuary, are invited to participate. In order to facilitate optimum interaction in the group, the size of the group will be limited and therefore RSVP is necessary for participation in the group. All participants will be asked to make a commitment for a total of eight sessions, which will convene on first and third Mondays from 10am to 11:30am.  There is a contribution of $35.00 per session, which can be paid in full at the first session, or in increments, but paid in full by the fifth session.  Missing a session does not exempt participants from responsibility for their $35.00 contribution.

On behalf of myself, and Rev. Francis, we solicit your prayers as we move with God to facilitate improved clergy care. To God be the glory for the great things God has done!

Sincerely yours in Christ,