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Our March 2010 “Spiritual Fitness Gathering”

Dan Carlson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:44:09 +0000

“Sharing Stories, A Path to Spiritual Fitness”

Our Next Spiritual Fitness Gathering: Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Noon to 1:00 at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church in Minnetonka, MN. (Bring your own lunch!)

The topic for our March Spiritual Fitness Gathering will be: “Sharing Stories, A Path to Spiritual Fitness”. The words “sharing” and “stories” have so much depth and spirit, and are critical components of this ministry. Come and join us as we explore these words deeper and see how they contribute to our spiritual health and fitness. Hope to see you there!

Take Care!

Our February 2010 “Spiritual Fitness Gathering”

Dan Carlson — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:09:07 +0000

“Spiritual Care: A Coordinated Effort”

Our Next Spiritual Fitness Gathering: Wednesday, February 24, 2010. Noon to 1:00 at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church in Minnetonka, MN. (Bring your own lunch!)

The topic for our December 23, 2009 Spiritual Fitness Gathering will be: “Spiritual Care: A Coordinated Effort”. There is an abundance of Spiritual and Emotional Care resources available to public safety and emergency services personnel, but often we see a lack of coordination of those services. Come and join us as we have a discussion about available resources and how they can be best utilized to care for the spiritual health of our professionals and our profession. Hope to see you there!

Take Care!

Our December “Spiritual Fitness Gathering”

Dan Carlson — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:57:35 +0000

Our Next Spiritual Fitness Gathering: Wednesday, December 23, 2009. Noon to 1:00 at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church in Minnetonka, MN. (Bring your own lunch!)

The topic for our December 23, 2009 Spiritual Fitness Gathering will be: “New Light and New Life into a New Year”. This hoilday season is a time of new beginnings. We celebrate the birth of a savior, the return of daylight to growing darkness and the beginning of a new year. Come hear and share stories of the joys and challenges of this season and the year to come. Hope to see you there!

Take Care!

Working on a New Logo

Dan Carlson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:00:27 +0000

The last few days I’ve been working on a new logo for the ministry. So far this is what I’ve come up with working in Microsoft Word. My computer skills are somewhat limited, so there is not a color component, but with the help of my daughter and son I actually came up with a rough version of something I like.

I’ve got a couple different versions, with the same components, just moved arond a bit. If I still like it (and don’t get a lot of negitive feedback) in a few days, I think I’ll look for someone with better skills that I have to make it more professional.

So let me know what you think!

Take Care!

Back At It!

Dan Carlson — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:39:48 +0000

So how do I begin a post that is my first in several months. I guess I just begin. Some may have wondered about the recent absence of posts. I received a few emails, phone calls and personal coments about the significance of February 15, 2009. It took me awhile to realize it was the date of my last post. I was at a MESCA chaplain graduation ceremony last week (more on MESCA later) and one of the graduates said he enjoyed the website but it hasn’t been updated since 2008. So I figured it was time to get “Back At It”.

First of all, I want to let everyone know that the ministry is thriving! That is the primary reason for the absence of posts, too much going on, not enough time to do everything the way I’d like it to be done. But the model for this ministry is one of traditional chaplaincy: A Ministry of Presence, Service and Relationships. This website provides a ministry presence to a larger public safety community so again, time to get “Back At It”.

Here are some of the ministry services that have been filling my time:

MESCA – The recently established Minnesota Emergency Services Chaplain Association that was developed by Dr. Jeff Stewart of the Minneapolis Police Chaplain Corp and endorsed and supported by the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association.

MN National Guard Yellow Ribbon Communities Initiative - I have been working on a variety of Yellow Ribbon initiatives for almost three years now. As we gain more experience the project has grown and seen significant tangible results. This increase in activity has resulted in a partnership between Public Safety Ministries, The MN Chiefs Assoc and the Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute. We have created a training curriculum that will be implemented throughout the state in the coming months.

Spiritual Fitness Gatherings – We have started to gather public safety professionals and those who support the professions for monthly (fourth Wednesday of the month, noon to 1:00 pm) gatherings at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church in Minnetonka. It is a time to gather specifically to grow in our spiritual fitness.

The business and devlopment part of the ministry has also filled much of my time:

ELCA Ordination – I continue my seminary studies and internship responsibilities. I can now see the end of that journey. With a little luck (class availability) I’ll be ordained by this time next year.

PSMI Board Expansion – We have expanded our board of directors adding business, fire service and clergy perspectives to the group. I am excited about learning from the additional insights.

Ministry Partner Affiliations – We are establishing more formal ministry partneships with organizations supportive of the mission “Serving Those Who Protect”.

Well, that’s a brief overview. More detail to come on the above initiatives.

I want to close with a prayer I try to say every day:

Dear God,

I ask for the strenght to serve, the peace to rest, the wisdom to discern and most of all the humility to acknowledge that all that I am and all that I have are gifts of Your gracious love.

Amen

And let’s all say a special prayer for our troops as they prepare for the withdrawal of US troops from cities in Iraq.

Take Care!

An Invocation: Minnesota Chiefs of Police Executive Training Institute

Dan Carlson — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 11:22:41 +0000

The following is the invocation Iwill give later this morning at the opening ceremonies of this year’s MCPA Executive Training Institute.

Dear God,

We give thanks today for the opportunity to gather in the spirit of public safety leadership.Â We are all individuals with differing faiths, beliefs and convictions.Â However, we come together this week with a common spirit, a higher spirit, a spirit dedicated to professional growth and development of law enforcement leadership.

Many are called to serve in this world, fewer are called to protect and still fewer are called to lead those who protect.Â It is said that there is no greater sacrifice than for someone to lay down his or her life for another.Â Additionally, there is no greater responsibility than to lead those who are called to protect, those who are willing to lay down their lives to protect the freedoms that are the foundation of this nation.

Please guide us this week as we carry out our mission of leadership.Â Help us to develop and grow in our strength, wisdom and compassion as law enforcement executives.

We also pray for those who have been called to protect the freedoms this country enjoys by serving in the armed forces.Â We pray for all military personnel, but specifically for the Minnesotans who are deployed over seas and whose duties put them in harms way.Â Protect them as they carry out their missions and bring them home safe when their missions are accomplished.

We ask for blessings on the food we receive this week as nourishment for our bodies, the information presented as nourishment for our minds and the fellowship we share as nourishment for our souls.

Amen

“Retirement Academy” Session 1

Dan Carlson — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:16:30 +0000

Last night was the first session of a “Retirement Academy” put on by the Eden Prairie Police Department in cooperation with the South Metro Public Safety Training Facility, located in Edina. The concept of the academy was developed when I was still working for the EPPD and exploring my retirement options. EPPD Training Sgt. Dave Becker took responsibility for putting the course together along with the help of several other department and city staff members. It is a very new concept and last night was our first glimpse of whether or not the idea would work. And clearly, it does!

There will be five sessions, each session held once a week for 2-3 hours in the evening. Session topics will cover transition impact of the eight facets of life, financial considerations, spiritual and emotional perspectives, relationship impacts and conclude with a panel discussion of retirees sharing their experiences.

Last night we had the great opportunity to have Dr Steven Geiger lead the opening session. Dr. Geiger has a very interesting background ranging from his early days as a police officer with Eden Prairie, to his experiences as a police psychologist with the Los Angeles Police Department to his current role as a successful business leader. His wide range of qualifications and experiences provided a great learning experience for the participants. He will return for week 4 to provide some follow-up and also share some thoughts on how relationships are impacted by the retirement transition.

I have the opportunity to host and MC the academy. It was a great experience last night and I look forward to the future sessions. I believe planning significant professional transitions is a critical component of spiritual fitness. My goal at the end of this academy is to provide a format for other agencies to put on similar training opportunities.

One thought that really hit me last night was that managing a career transition such as retirement isn’t really that complicated, but it definitely is a lot of hard work. A little training, planning and focusing can have a great impact on personal success in the transition.

I’ll keep you posted as the sessions progress!

A Blessing Received

Dan Carlson — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:23:00 +0000

One of the EPPD Chaplains, Father Tim Power gave me a wonderful gift at my retirement celebration, My Grandfathers Blessings by Rachael Naomi Remen, MD.

It is full of stories of inspiration and wisdom. This is the type of book that I want to share with people who are looking for a message to help them through their day, especially the days that can be so challenging in the world of the public safety professional.

Here is an excerpt from the book’s introduction:

My grandfather was a scholar of Kabbalah, the mystical teachings of Judaism…… According to the Kabbalah, at some point in the history of things, the Holy was broken up into countless sparks which were scattered throughout the universe. There is a god spark in everyone and in everything, a sort of diaspora of goodness. God’s immanent presence among us is encountered daily in the most simple, humble and ordinary ways. Kaballah teaches that the Holy may speak to you from it’s many hidden places at any time. The world may whisper in your ear or the spark of God in you may whisper in your heart. My grandfather showed me how to listen.

As I read the book I will share some of the stories with you. Hopefully they will strengthen your soul and help you build a healthy spirit.

A Reader Responds – A Thought for the Day

Dan Carlson — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:03:56 +0000

A good friend of mine sent me the following proverb yesterday. Because of his rather diverse and mixed faith background, an Agnostic Jew Raised in Catholic School (AJRCS for short) he felt it was important for me to provide some balance to my personal Christian perspectives. I agree. Public Safety Ministries is a ministry directed to ALL people who work in the professions and are seeking ways to improve their spiritual fitness.

He that can’t endure the bad, will not live to see the good.
Jewish Proverb

Thank you!

Sorry, “Contact Us” is currently out of order

Dan Carlson — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:54:51 +0000

I just realized that anyone who has tried to send a message via “Contact Us” was unable to do so. Messages were not going through. I have top people, I mean top TOP people working on it (tops in my limited techie world anyway). My apologies, and if you have tried to “Contact Us” please try again at dan.carlson@publicsafetyministries.org The address is working, just not the form.

Sorry for the inconvenience.