Vice President / Acting President Greg Baca, (in President Jayna's absence during her Fellowship opportunity, called the gathering to order welcoming guests and members of the Rotary Club of Regina and Regina Eastview. As an appreciator of quotes he drew our attention to John Maxwell's observation in this ROTOR's Philosopher's Corner. He shared the Club's Land Acknowledgement statement and then invited Allen Hillsden to lead in the singing of our National Anthem. Peter Peters was then called on to share in a blessing. Vice President Greg then faced the most challenging role of his position directing his colleagues to the buffet line.
After a buffet luncheon VP Greg called on Jeanne Alexander to introduce our Guest Speaker, Sam Berg. Sam was welcomed into Rotary in 1984 and has been a member of Regina Eastview for over 15 years. He currently serves as the Director of Counselling Services at The Caring Place in Regina and was here today to introduce the Club to his recently published book, Healing Disquiet: An Integrative model for Relational Therapy. Although not included in Jeanne's introduction, Sam’s authority to write such a book is that he holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Palmer Seminary. In addition, Sam has a long-standing connection as a faculty member of Briercrest College and Seminary. Sam currently serves as the Director of Counselling Services at The Caring Place in Regina.
In his opening remarks Sam indicated becoming an author was not really a dream, although he has written a chapter in another book, and has written published papers. He did concede this activity may serve as a step in a humble man’s ‘ego trip’. Sam recommended that connecting with a publisher is critical and he spoke highly of the counsel and support he received from former Regina Eastview member Jeanne Martinson who served as his publisher.
According to background found online, the book’s central message ‘outlines an integrated approach to counselling and psychotherapy that combines psychodynamic and systemic theories to address disruptions in relationships. It is described as a guide for ‘therapeutic practitioners, pastors, and Christian counsellors, intertwining psychological practices with biblical and theological reflections’.
Sam explained that, from a biblical perspective, human beings are created in the image of God, so goodness is fundamental to being human. Although we are individuals, we depend on relationships to survive, and within those relationships we ‘mirror what we receive from others’. He shared an African word meaning ‘I am what we are’ and encouraged us to look back through our ancestry to understand who we have become: ‘Ask the oldest member in your family and find out what life was like when they were young’, then consider how that history has shaped you. As a counsellor, he noted, it is important to help clients step back from their present circumstances by listening to their stories and guiding them towards a new perspective. Sam told stories showing how looking back can reconnect people with an extraordinary earlier dream.
Thank you, Sam, for taking us on a peak at Healing Disquiet.
