News Release
October 2006   

Helping Soldiers and their Families the topic of Seminary Program for Pastors

Bethlehem, Pa., October 13, 2006—Moravian Theological Seminary, the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and the Lehigh County Conference of Churches are sponsoring a program called “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon:  How Pastors Can Help Soldiers and Their Families Readjust after Combat.”  The event, led by Reverend Bruce Farrell, is the first of several such programs to be held throughout the state.

The program is intended to help pastors develop skills to assist returning soldiers and their families overcome the effects of combat.  Farrell will focus on the adjustments that the family must make when welcoming home their loved one, as well as the problems soldiers face when returning to work, family, and community.  He also will present a pilot model for ministering to soldiers who have received “Battlemind” conditioning in preparation for service in war zones.

Farrell is an ordained United Church of Christ pastor.  He has 27 years experience in ministry and teaching, and presently serves as a chaplain in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

The session will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 26 at the Seminary’s Bahnson Center.  Lunch will be provided for participants.  The program is free, and participants will receive 0.2 continuing education units.  To register, please call the Lehigh County Conference of Churches office at 610-433-6421.  The Bahnson Center is located at 60 W. Locust Street in Bethlehem.