SOON
Seriously Optimistic Online News
from St Luke's Innovative Resources
Edition #3
What do we celebrate at Christmas time?
For most of us, the weeks leading up to Christmas are traditionally a time of community activities, work parties, get-togethers with family and friends, but also a time when the media in particular reflect on the state of the world.
In the shadows of global terrorism and extreme violence that dominate our media, it’s sometimes hard to imagine how our own personal optimism or small acts of kindness could possibly make a difference. However, the implications of giving up, of becoming fatalistic about the power of aggression and ill-will are unimaginable. We need to keep building and celebrating our houses of friendship, even if they are periodically damaged or destroyed by catastrophes.
In this Christmas edition of SOON we want to recognise the fundamental elements at the heart of all meaningful relationships – love, kindness and tolerance; respect, hope and fairness – elements which not only underpin all of our ‘seriously optimistic’ materials, but are also at the heart of St Luke’s work in the community.
At Innovative Resources we remain optimistic in our belief that some things that are simple, small and of seemingly little consequence in the scheme of things can make a profound difference.
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come.
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
Communities of Hope
A strengths-based resource for building community VIEW IT ONLINE
Communities of Hope
‘In a world that is increasingly alarmed about security, where international tensions spill into our own nation and where globalisation strikes at the heart of many local communities’ viability, it is fundamentally important to believe in community.’
Andrew Curnow, Bishop of
[from the Foreword to Communities of Hope]
Communities of Hope is about something very precious. It is about a community’s capacity to learn, to change, to grow—and to build that most invaluable of commodities—respectful connectedness. This is a truly generous book giving a step-by-step blue-print for a ‘strengths-based’ approach to community capacity building, as developed by St Luke’s Anglicare (
This book contains clearly articulated and truly inspiring principles, with a three-day workshop for community leaders focusing on the building of community by the community. It emphasises self-determination, ‘power-with’ and people’s right to deep respect. Planning, competency and decision-making are owned by the community. Additional expertise, information, knowledge and other resources are accessed by the community to complement its vision, its strengths and resources.
While this book was originally commissioned for church communities, it can be used as a powerful resource in any community, regardless of religious belief.
Explores: ‘pictures of the future’, labelling, ‘ownership’ of the process, the competency cycle, the column approach, appreciative audiences, noticing exceptions, reframing, facilitation skills, sustaining change and much more.
This book contains a three-day workshop and 39 handout masters for building resilient communities
Author: Wayne McCashen
Publisher: St Luke’s Innovative Resources
Softcover, 214 x 278mm, 160 pages
ISBN: 1 920945 00 8
CAT NO: 8003 AUD $44.50
‘Talking with each other about possibilities and dreams creates hope.’
Linda Beilharz
Director – St Luke’s
Community
Capacity
Building
& Research Unit … and currently on her way to becoming the first Australian women to ski to the South Pole. Go Linda!
COMING SOON – AVAILABLE JANUARY 2005
Everyday Goddess
Finding the heroines within
Everyday Goddess
‘Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.’
Harvey Fierstein
Everyday Goddess is a set of 36 cards created from the paintings of internationally acclaimed artist, Katharina Rapp. With a delicious and slightly wicked sense of humour these cards take a light-hearted, but oh-so-compassionate, look at the lives of everyday women and the heroines to be found there. These cards may have particular relevance for women who are experiencing challenges such as depression, loneliness, anxiety, confusion, and even just plain boredom. 
Most of all this set of cards is intended to champion something that many of us glimpse from time to time: Perhaps our everyday lives are far more heroic and magical than we imagined.
Dare to define yourself!
36 laminated full-colour cards, 100 x 150mm, 2-part cardboard box, 40-page booklet
Artist: Katharina Rapp
Designer: Jane Prideaux
Booklet Author: Karen Masman
ISBN: 1 920945 01 6
CAT NO: 2800 AUD $49.50
COMING SOON – AVAILABLE JANUARY 2005
Jelly Bean’s Secret VIEW IT ONLINE
Illustrated junior fiction for learning about grief, loss—and living
Written by Molly Carlile—a leading grief and loss counsellor, educator and consultant—this is the story of nine-year-old Abby, her brother Zac, and their very special ‘Grandma Jelly Bean’.
This honest yet sensitive book will help young readers to learn about death and dying, and the rituals and feelings that accompany these inevitable times. Abby learns that her memories are precious and that Jelly Bean is always with her. Even though Zac grieves in a very different way, together Abby and Zac carry on Jelly Bean’s tradition and share the special secret.
Beautifully illustrated in black and white by award-winning watercolourist, Carolyn Marrone, this book presents opportunities for teachers, counsellors and parents to have reflective, honest and gentle conversations with children about the journey of living, letting go, and remembering.
Includes a comprehensive Learner’s Guide for teachers, counsellors and parents.
Author: Molly Carlile
Illustrator: Carolyn Marrone
Softcover, 130 x 200mm, 72pp
ISBN: 1 920945 02 4
CAT NO: 8002 AUD $12.95
‘An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.’
Mahatma Gandhi
On Friday 19 November, Innovative Resources, in conjunction with the Children’s Protection Society, officially launched Rosy and Jack and NoNo the Little Seal— two picture books developed in response to the need for creative and original tools for building conversations with children who have been sexually abused.
More than 40 guests, including counsellors, child and family workers, representatives of the Children’s Protection Society, authors and illustrators, and members of the Innovative Resources team gathered at the Rooftop Room of the Northcote Town Hall to hear the stories of how these books came into being. More important, though, were the stories of how both books are being used in counselling situations with young victims of sexual abuse, and as a preventative tool by showing young people how to stay safe.
Here are just some of the words spoken on the afternoon:
Lisa Cox – Child Protection Society
Jenny’s story:
When I showed NoNo the Little Seal to Jenny she was excited to see it had a CD with it. She loves music and listening to stories. She was immediately struck by the similarity of NoNo’s story to her own.
‘That’s exactly how I felt,’ Jenny said. ‘But when I told my mum she didn’t believe me. It must have felt good for NoNo to have someone believe him.’
Jenny wanted her extended family – her aunties, brothers etc – to read the book so that they could understand.
These books bring up conversations in counselling that simply wouldn’t happen without them.
Carla van Laar –
I recently went on a retreat as part of the Child Sexual Assault Protection Program. Some of the kids were victims of sexual abuse while others were at high risk. The girls who had suffered abuse were really affirmed by the books and the positive messages of self-esteem and staying safe. They wanted to thank the authors for writing the books.
One of the girls talked about the victimisation she’d experienced at school when the story of her abuse got out. It’s just tragic that a young girl should have to suffer such treatment on top of all her existing suffering. To be able to use the books to reinforce her self-esteem was fantastic.
This launch is really a celebration of safety. Everyone, young or old has the right to feel safe.
Nicole Reading – author of Rosy and Jack
Today I have a strong sense of coming full circle.
But I feel incredibly uncomfortable with the whole idea of children saying thank you for the book. That kids should have to feel thankful for feeling safe is incredibly sad — a sad indictment on society.
Rosy and Jack is not my story — it’s an accumulation of hundreds, no thousands, of other people’s experiences. I hope both these books help to bring children’s rights to the public eye, given that we’ve just voted back a government that detains children and separates families in such appalling circumstances.
I grew up on the south side of
Posters created by children as a response to NoNo the Little Seal.
‘If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much.’
Marian Wright Edelman
Micro story of the month
Small things can make a profound difference, just as small stories can pack a powerful, emotional punch.
Like Men
By Wayne Sheer
‘I miss Mummy.’
‘I know you do, tiger. I do too.’ I adjusted the rear-view mirror so I could see Raymond’s enormous, sad eyes. He was strapped in safely, his toys within reach of his four-year-old arms.
‘We gonna see Mummy?’
‘We’re going to see Grandma. Mummy’s gone.’
‘Mummy’s in heaven, right?’
‘Right.’
‘They took Mummy in a am-boo-lance. Right, Daddy?’
‘That’s right.’
He was silent. The road ahead was empty.
‘Daddy,’ he asked. ‘Is it all right to cry?’
‘Of course it is, son. Of course it is.’ I felt my body shake as I tried desperately to control myself.
‘Then why don’t you cry, Daddy?’
I pulled the car to the side of the road, got out, and opened the back door. I unbuckled his seat belt, held him tight, and we both cried. Like men.
‘All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.’
Ernest Hemingway
Most of us have heard the story of The Good Samaritan – a simple story about a man who was robbed, bashed and left to die by thieves. While many turned a blind eye, this man was cared for and befriended by a member of his social group’s historical enemies. After 2000 years, the story of The Good Samaritan still stands as a powerful benchmark, in both defining real friendship and as a potent example of unconditional kindness.
Mates Traits is a set of 32 colouful cards that describe some of the characteristics of real friendship and the many ways we care for each other as friends, families and communities. The cards, stickers and colouring book can open up conversations about relationships, social skills, personalities and interests, or simple acts of kindness.
Here’s an example of just some of the cards that speak to The Good Samaritan story, and the state of our world this Christmas:
We struggle together We respect each other We care about each other
We are similar We are different We surprise
We trust each other We support each other We want the best for each other
How might you use Mates Traits this Christmas?
Add your own Christmas message to a Mates Traits card and send it to a friend
Stickers provide a wonderful means of ‘gifting’; of being able to give a simple gift that says something positive or meaningful about someone you care for. You could slip a Mates Traits sticker inside a card or use them to stick your gift wrapping instead of tape. You might use them at the Christmas table – stick them on paper hats; on the outside of bon bons.
The Mates Traits Colouring Book is full of positive messages for kids. They’ll laugh at the antics of Mat Jones’ quirky native animals and love adding stickers or their own pictures and cutouts. An affordable stocking filler that celebrates our strengths as friends.
Card set: 32 laminated, full-colour cards, 120 x 120mm,
polypropylene box folds back to create a stand, 24-page booklet
ISBN: 0 9580188 1 2
CAT NO: 3300 AUD $46.75
Stickers: 5 complete sets on A4 backing sheets
total of 160 stickers, each sticker 50 x 50mm
CAT NO: 3550 AUD $16.95
Colouring book: 68 pages, set of stickers bound into middle
CAT NO: 3325 AUD $8.95
Readers' feedback
'I am using "Views from the Verandah" with my Year 10,11 & 12 students in Careers Counselling. It is such a lovely way to look at goals and future plans with students. It is a great tool to help remember changes in thinking and planning -- students refer to it quite often. It makes each interview unique and targets interests clearly. Or, if the student is not quite ready, this becomes the focus.'
Marianne Hupalo
Careers/VET/Music Coordinator
Trinity Catholic College
Goulburn NSW