A BREATHTAKING BEAUTIFUL MULTI-FACETED JEWEL: Part 2: Imaginative Approaches within the Frontiers of Gambling Recovery (Post 152)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Post 151

I wondered what and how she would ask the casino manager for help.
Janet Jacobs

She had called for the appointment and had asked me to go with her. I wasn’t sure how she would frame the question; still, I trusted her professionalism and experience. The request would be for help – but not financial. As we walked down the office hallway, my thoughts shouted inwardly to me, What in the world are you doing? This can’t be real.

He was cordial enough. He listened intently about the small membership church up on the hill that had accepted the daunting task of initiating the only food pantry for an entire county – one of the poorest in the State. To her request for help, he looked amendable and ready to respond. No, it wasn’t for money we were asking … instead, she explained there was a need for volunteers to help service the pantry one Sunday per month. Could their employees provide volunteer assistance? He did agree to post bulletins in the employees’ staff area. As it turned out, no employees came to help in that capacity … but whether or not this is the end of the story, I cannot say.

The invitation was clearly stated. Her description of the situation was accurate and well described. The idea was laid out. The management might sometime, somewhere take up the cause and provide assistance to another social service outlet. The employees might look for other ways to volunteer in their home communities or sign up for mission trips. After all, my ministry colleague had successfully arranged for a public library branch to take up residence within another small church, along with further innovative pursuits. I admire her forward-thinking. Just because a project does not catch on immediately does not close down the idea forever.

Nonconventional partnering can bring together entities that would normally never (or rarely) connect. However, opening that door of possibility may bring surprising results. Below are some ideas worth pondering.

· A Gamblers Anonymous friend of mine suggested that a very helpful community service for churches could be to provide a DROP-IN CENTER FOR RECOVERING GAMBLERS where folks can go for socialization or even to meditate.

· CHAPLAINS FOR CASINOS (google this: you’ll find some!)

· RECOVERY MISSION TRIPS

· RECOVERY PRAYER GROUPS

· 12 STEP WORSHIP SERVICES (a series, for a special day/evening, or weekly/monthly)

· RECOVERY INFORMATION “MALL” FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY (provide multiple free reading materials about recovery issues including a variety of mental health/addiction topics)

· Establish relationships with retailers of LOTTERY OUTLETS and provide them with Problem Gambling Helpline posters and brochures

· Partnering with PARISH NURSES: provide brochures and booklets on disordered gambling and recovery

The following are some of my top picks for ONLINE MATERIALS relating to gambling addiction and recovery (not in any particular order):

· “FREEDOM FROM GAMBLING” (self-help workbook in 19 languages)

https://uclagamblingprogram.org/treatment/workbook.php

· “HOPE AND HELP: A GUIDE FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AFFECTED BY A LOVED ONE’S PROBLEM GAMBLING” (booklet)
https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/fa5a8304/files/uploaded/Hope%20and%20Help%20gambling%20booklet%20%28Henle%29.pdf

· “PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING & CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY” (booklet)
https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/fa5a8304/files/uploaded/Pathological%20Gambling%20and%20Chemical%20Dependcy%20booklet%20%28Henle%29.pdf

· “PROBLEM GAMBLING TOOLKIT”
(“FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR LOVED ONES OF PROBLEM GAMBLERS”) https://ipgap.indiana.edu/documents/problem-gambling-toolkit.pdf

· CURRICULA FOR GAMBLING COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION:
30 VIDEOS (free for Indiana residents; nominal cost to non-residents)
Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program
www.ipgap.indiana.edu

· “GAM-ANON PUBLIC RELATIONS KIT”
https://gam-anon.org/public-relations/public-relationskit

· GA STORE
https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/products

· GA “HANDBOOK FOR JUDICIARY, LAWYERS, AND COUNSELORS” https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/node/1253

· COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING OF NEW JERSEY: 42 VIDEOS IN THE GALLERY
including national speakers, a documentary, and sports betting/internet/gaming information
https://800gambler.org/news/video

For more information on pioneering ways of connecting in outreach, check back to GRM Blog Post 41 (October 10, 2013) wherein I detail my national presentation “Growing the Circle of Care” in Seattle at the National Council on Problem Gambling Annual Conference. https://www.grmumc.org/blog/14rk9so7t0vgdtlzo6et8kb9t5sjbk

As I previously wrote in August:

So the task is in front of us. Again, what more can be done differently to reach out and care for all involved within the sphere of problems and crises brought on by disordered gambling? In actuality, the spiritual community can play a unique role of influence in creating and contributing to this multi-faceted jewel of cooperation. Moreover, spiritual leaders (and not just clergy) are in unique positions to open doors, invite, and welcome initiatives. After all, pioneering does mark new territories and crosses boundaries!

A parting thought (once more expressed):

Even a Helpline notice regularly appearing in a corner of a Worship Bulletin speaks volumes!

Those in attendance see the unspoken faithful message:

you’re not hopeless; you don’t have to stay stuck; here is help!

GRM Blog Post 94,

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

https://www.grmumc.org

855-926-0761

For more information on the IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification visit: