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BY JENNI RAGLAND –
The first annual Alaska Divisional Social Service Conference was held recently in Anchorage, co-sponsored with numerous other religious and charitable organizations. Officers and employees from across the division were brought together to discuss and share ways to better meet the needs of Alaskans.
The first day of the two-day conference featured a pastoral trauma seminar led by Right Reverend Dr. Robert D. Parlotz. “Because of the significant role The Salvation Army takes in times of disaster, we saw a need to update training for our people relative to trauma counseling,” said Captain Sherry McWhorter, divisional social service coordinator “At the same time,” McWhorter added, “we saw this as an opportunity to bring together other organizations and churches who work in similar circumstances.”
The seminar was co-sponsored by The Salvation Army, Catholic Social Services, Hospice of Anchorage, United Way of Anchorage, Interfaith Council, Alaska National Insurance Company and Alaska Airlines. Over 160 people representing 50 organizations and churches from all areas of the state attended. Additionally, Alaska Airlines sent a team of employees from offices in both Seattle and Portland.
The second day of the conference, attended by officers and social service employees, provided an opportunity to discuss the unique challenges of ministering in Alaska.