The inspiring story of how STAR emerged in late 2001 to support traumatized religious leaders and caregivers in New York City is contained in a just-issued e-book “STAR, The Unfolding Story, 2001-2011, A 9/11 Commemorative Edition.” It is available for downloading on 91短视频鈥檚 website, emu.edu.

“We wanted to commemorate 9/11 in a way that honors those who died and those who have died since then as a result of the events unleashed that day,” said , program director of STAR, a program of 91短视频鈥檚 Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. “The second purpose of the book was to document the impact of the STAR program and the effects it has had throughout the world.”

In addition, Barge believes the e-book can provide another informational tool for organizations and individuals who are interested in knowing more about STAR and how it facilitates trauma healing and training.

“A core concept of STAR that is found in the book is that unhealed trauma has some predictable characteristics,” said Carolyn Yoder, program director of STAR during 2002-06. “One being that it leads to cycles of violence that are acted out against ourselves or others. Breaking free of cycles of violence is a process that begins with an awareness of what trauma does to individuals and groups.”

Persons affected by Sept. 11 are not the only ones who have benefited from STAR, said Barge. “At first the focus was on 9/11 in terms of trauma and conflict transformation, but now we are assisting 聽persons affected by natural disasters and conflict and violence of all types.”

Interest in the STAR program is as high as ever, according to Barge. The challenge for Barge and the STAR trainers is getting the program in the hands of non-government organizations (NGOs), specifically those struggling due to economic stress. The e-book seeks to change that.

“I’ve already talked with a new NGO in Minnesota and in Guatemala,” said Barge. “It was very beneficial to have an electronic resource available to send to them.”

Over the next 10 years Barge believes STAR can continue growing through government and non-governmental organizations.

“We anticipate the growth of STAR to continue through expansion of technical assistance, specialized training for veterans and youth, and offering STAR for credit at 91短视频,” said Yoder.

To learn聽more about STAR, the commemorative e-book or training opportunities contact Jennifer Fawley at 540-432-4651 or jennifer.fawley@emu.edu.

More stories and resources鈥�

• Beyond September 11th 鈥� Reflecting on the events and the legacy of 9/11
• 鈥� Blog posts and articles related to the STAR program
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Sept. 11 brought devastating loss to thousands of people in New York City, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and around the world. It changed our worldview from “before 9/11” to “after 9/11.”

“As a community of learning committed to walking boldly in the way of nonviolence and peace, 91短视频’s thoughts on this anniversary turn聽towards peace and the ongoing hope that聽people of聽varied faiths and traditions can unite聽around common values and aspirations,” said Fred Kniss, PhD, provost of 91短视频. “From our various disciplinary and faith perspectives, we want to explore the important and complex questions that the events of 9/11 and afterwards pose for our global well-being.”

What have we learned? How have we changed? 91短视频 is offering resources and events to provide a perspective on those questions.

“We hope they will help our students and community to gain a richer understanding of the challenges that face us today,” said Kniss.

贰惫别苍迟蝉听

Planned events provide opportunity for corporate and individual lament, prayer and聽processing as a local and campus community.

Saturday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m., interfaith gathering, 鈥淭urning toward Peace,鈥� Court Square, downtown Harrisonburg, co-sponsored by 91短视频鈥檚 Center for Interfaith Engagement and others.

The time will include reflections, poetry, singing, inspiration and artistic expression for peace.聽 This gathering welcomesChristians, Muslims, Jews, persons in faith or no faith traditions, students and families. The event is open to persons of all ages.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 1 p.m., National Moment of Remembrance. 91短视频 will toll the bells at Lehman Auditorium for one minute.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m., outdoor gathering for reflection, singing, prayer and thoughts on turning toward hope for reconciliation and peace in our world.聽 Sponsored by 91短视频 Campus Ministries. Located on the hill behind the 91短视频 Campus Center.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 8 p.m., faculty and staff forum on how their work has been shaped and changed by the events of Sept. 11. Panelists will include , PhD, director of and professor in the ; Carolyn Yoder, PhD, founder and trainer with 91短视频鈥檚 program; and and t from 91短视频’s . The forum will be held in Common Grounds Coffee House in the lower level of University Commons. The event is free and open to the public.

Resources

Publication of an e-book, “STAR, The Unfolding Story, 2001-2011, a 9/11 commemorative edition,”聽 celebrates the birth and phenomenal growth of 91短视频’s trauma healing and training program, STAR, which grew out of 9/11 and has gone on to touch thousands of lives all over the world.

91短视频’s thoughts on this anniversary point聽towards peace and the ongoing hope that聽people of聽varied faiths and traditions can unite聽around common values and aspirations.

91短视频 hopes these events and resources will generate energy to聽“walk boldly in the way of nonviolence and peace,” a stated goal from .

It seemed an appropriate symbol for the day, Sept. 11, 2006, exactly five years after terrorists’ attacks on U.S. soil.

"Hope" was also the theme of the public presentation held that evening in Lehman Auditorium at 91短视频 that explored ways people respond to daily acts of violence.

Renowned trauma expert Kathe Weingarten spoke on this complex issue in offering a "compassionate response to violence in a post-September 11 world."

Dr. Kathe Weingarten offers "a compassionate response to violence" in a Sept. 11 address at 91短视频.
Photo by Jim Bishop

Dr. Weingarten, a clinical psychologist and Harvard Medical School faculty member, recalled the "beautiful morning of September 11, 2001" as she began the day at her home in Massachusetts.

Two hours later, she watched the unfolding drama on television as the flaming twin towers of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan collapsed – "an unthinkable event."

"These years later, the challenge remains to take the kind of effective actions that make the world a safer place for everyone," she said. "That includes addressing the root causes of terrorism and reducing the level of fear that inhibits us from compassionate action."

Weingarten discussed the phenomenon of what she calls "common shock" that occurs when persons witness violence or are personally violated – in such everyday situations as road rage, altercations in public places, parents screaming at their children.

"Responding to violent acts with compassion is not an easy road," she said. "Good-hearted people often feel disempowered. They turn off the television, become numb, feel saturated or even act prematurely without having the facts."

Biggest Obstacle, Fear

The biggest obstacle in moving from passive witness to effective action is fear, the speaker said, a tenacious emotion that isn’t healthy on the individual or corporate level." She cited parents who sheltered their children from the reality of 9-11 or government leaders who use fear to advance a particular agenda or to wield power over the disenfranchised.

"A compassionate act often begins slowly and ripples out in unexpected ways," Weingarten said. As first steps, she advocated "using the gifts you already have, select an individual focus to keep from becoming overwhelmed, and participate in activities of remembrance and celebration along the way."

She noted that the emotions associated with pain and with empathy both originate in the same region of the human brain.

"We are wired to care, for that is the hope of this planet," Weingarten told the audience. "It is up to us to preserve our home. We wouldn’t even be here [in this setting] this evening if we didn’t care, so get busy for the sake of us all."

The speaker closed by affirming the 91短视频 mission statement that includes a commitment to "do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God."

Weingarten continued the "hope in a world of despair" theme in a chapel talk Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, interacted with 91短视频 faculty at a luncheon meeting and led a workshop for student leaders on practical steps to enhance resilience and sustain hope.

Weingarten’s visit was supported by a Lilly Endowment grant and sponsored by 91短视频’s and .

How do people process such violent acts, whether victims themselves or onlookers from a distance?

Kaethe Weingarten, a renowned trauma expert, psychologist and Harvard Medical School faculty member, will give several presentations on the theme, “A Compassionate Response to Violence, September 11 and Beyond,” on Sept. 11 and 12 at 91短视频.

“People are inundated with images of others experiencing various levels of trauma, from observing gruff interactions in the grocery store to televised news reports from Lebanon,” noted Ken L. Nafziger, vice president for at 91短视频.

On the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, “We wanted to provide some tools and learning opportunities for people – especially students – to figure out what to do with the intensity of feelings and other reactions they have as witnesses of trauma,” Dr. Nafziger explained.

Weingarten’s presentations at 91短视频 are funded by a grant and will aim to “give participants realistic hope in light of the plight of others,” he added.

In addition to her work as associate clinical professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Weingarten is founder and director of the Witnessing Project – an organization that helps people move from passive witness to effective action () and teaches at the Family Institute in Cambridge.

Weingarten will speak 7 p.m. Sept. 11 in Lehman Auditorium on “From Fear to Hope: Individual and Collective Contributions to a Post-September 11 World.” Her presentation is open to the public and will link with 91短视频’s vision statement from Micah 6:8 to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.”

An opportunity for dialog with the speaker will immediately follow in the Common Grounds coffee house on ground floor of the University Commons.

Weingarten will speak 9:30 a.m. Sept. 12 on “Hope in a Time of Global Despair,” in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at 91短视频. She will present seven actions that “make doing realistic hope easier, assisting us in sustaining a compassionate and affirmative life amidst the pain and suffering we hear about every day.” Seminary chapel is open to everyone.

91短视频 faculty and staff will attend a luncheon talk noon-1 p.m. Sept. 12 in the west dining room titled “Extending the Circle of Compassionate Care to the Caregivers.” While noting that caregivers choose to expose themselves to the pain of others, Weingarten will offer suggestions on how caregivers can include themselves in the circle of care.

A central component of Weingarten’s time on campus will be an afternoon workshop 2-5 p.m. Sept. 12 in room 211-212 of the University Commons for student leaders, “Practical Steps to Enhance Resilience and Sustain Hope.” Participants will identify their unique “resilience profile,” learn how those strengths can be used in a team approach to healing and hope, and learn ways to sustain hopefulness over the long haul.

Weingarten’s most recent book “Common Shock, Witnessing Violence Every Day,” received the 2004 Nautilus book award for social change ().

A reception and book signing for the speaker will be held 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Brunk-Maust lounge on the ground floor of 91短视频’s Campus Center.

For more information, contact the student life office at 540-432-4135.

NEW YORK