Dear Members of the Star Stake,
A wonderful and powerful healing event is planned in our Stake with amazing speakers, beautiful music and hope-filled, faith-building stories of what healing is possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We invite you to be with us.
Our annual Hope and Healing in Christ Workshop will be held on Saturday, March 02, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Star Stake Center on the corner of Floating Feather and Park Lane (see full schedule below). Members of the Star Stake, and all others from the surrounding area are invited to attend (ages 18+).
This year we will meet in person and have virtual options for some of the sessions.
Please feel free to attend any or all of the workshop sessions based on your needs or interests. Talented speakers will be sharing their insights, experience and tools on a variety of topics. We would love it if you would join us. We love you and hope this event will be a help to you and your family.
–President Ririe
Sessions are organized below by room location with the associated Zoom link, followed by the session time. Speaker biographies and class descriptions are also listed. For a printable version of the schedule, click here ». For a printable version of the speaker bios & class descriptions, click here ».
General & Leadership Sessions (Chapel)
General Session (9:00 am)
Title: Finding Hope and Healing through Christ in the Divine Mess of Mortality
Topic: General Wellness
Class Description: Mortality is intended to be messy. The Fall is supposed to be collective and for all of us. It also happens to be very individual. For some of us it has been addiction and others betrayal. Our intention is to show that healing through the Savior can not only justify us and raise us up out of that pit; He can raise us above and beyond, sanctifying us to a higher and holier place.
Biography: Evan and Missy believe that soulmates are not found, they are forged. They will have been married forty years in May. They have four kids and 15 grandchildren. They truly are soulmates, but that relationship wasn’t just a well planned choice and proposal in the beginning. It has been much more work. It has evolved over time and been forged in a fiery furnace. They realize that God has provided a customized curriculum for each of us in mortality. Tuition costs for many of those great lessons come with great pain. That pain provides the prerequisite humility necessary for the appropriate learning and changing to occur.
Their story is one about two people fighting for their marriage through the storms of multiple addictions and health challenges. Recovery, redemption and sanctification is not happenstance. Their greatest joys, right with their families, is serving in the ARP program and living in step 12. What joy there is in seeing Christ’s handy-work in saving souls just like theirs. Their wish is to echo the Savior’s plea for each of us to have hope. There is so much divinity, love, peace, beauty, and good fruit on the other side of that ugly abyss that many of us have experienced in addiction. Hang in there, have hope! He has so much good ahead waiting for you.
Leadership Support (10:30 am – 12:30 pm)
Title: Christlike Leadership
Topic: Leadership Support
Additional Presenters: DeAnn Thomas, Jeff Wood, Ben and Mindy Bodmer
Class Description: Church Leaders Helping Those Who Struggle with Addiction or Mental Health. An interactive session where we will discuss finding Christ in and through our trials. And how we can walk with others through theirs.
Amy’s Biography: Amy C. Curtis has a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Brigham Young University. She has worked at the Church’s Family Services for over 25 years. She is currently the manager of the Boise Office. Her responsibilities include clinical therapy and management of the Addiction Recovery Program.
Closing Session (3:30pm)
Title: Moving Forward in Your Healing Journey
Presenters: Seth and Nicole Ahlstrom, Shane Carlson, President Ririe
Class Description: The closing session of our Hope and Healing in Christ workshop will be an open Q&A for participants to submit questions anonymously about addiction, trauma, grief, mental health, and family support. A panel of experts and fellow speakers will provide answers and insight. We’ll use slido.com to facilitate questions and keep identities private. This is an opportunity to ask vulnerable questions in a safe space, among a community focused on hope, healing, and support through Christ’s love. All questions related to the workshop topics are welcome.
1st Half of Gym
1st Half of Gym (10:30 am – 3:20 pm)
Title: Managing Anxiety – Tools and Strategies
Topic: Anxiety Management
Class Description: This session is targeted at those who want to help their children, friends, or themselves understand, manage, and embrace anxiety. The session will explore the “Anxiety brain” to help understand how it works, include gospel insight, and provide helpful tools and strategies. Examples and experiences will be shared including the presenter’s struggle with anxiety and helping with her child’s struggle with anxiety. Counseling elementary to high school students through anxiety, Sister Davis will share takeaway tools and successful strategies and celebrate the anxiety brains with its unique challenges and strengths.
Biography: Angelee Davis has been a School Counselor for the past 14 years at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She earned her Bachelors in Psychology from Chapman University and Masters in Educational Counseling from Azusa Pacific University in California. Volunteer work includes facilitating counseling sessions for at-risk youth and their families and incarcerated women. She received the 2014-2015 Idaho’s School Counselor of the Year recognition award. Angelee served a mission in England and her greatest joy is being with her family.
Title: The Different Faces of Addiction
Topic: Addiction Recovery
Presenters: Matthew Butler
Class Description: Learning to identify the forms of addiction and how it impacts individuals during the healing process.
Biography: Matthew Butler has spent 5 years working in the addiction field. During this time, he treated individuals struggling with addiction and involvement with the law by helping them to receive counseling and work through the healing process. Since coming to Family Services, he has spent time working with individuals, couples and families that have been impacted by the addiction of pornography and other means.
Title: Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Topic: Suicide Awareness
Class Description: During this session we will address suicide awareness, the reality of mental health struggles and the importance of prevention. We will discuss how to plan ahead, and how to help and support others who are struggling, including yourself. Learn how to identify warning signs, finding trust in those who can support you, and creating a safety plan. Ultimately, how to find help, support, and love through Christ including reaching out for professional and spiritual help.
Biography: Garrett graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelors in Science of Human Development and Family Studies. During his time in school, he worked as a peer support specialist in addiction recovery and mental health for Phoenix Paramedics in Lafayette, IN. Garrett developed a passion for helping others that stemmed from his time serving as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chalco, Mexico. Since then, he has been devoted to supporting others that has led him to his current role as a Team Lead/Supervisor at the Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline.
Title: The Art of Validation: A Therapist’s Secret to Disarming a Defensive Heart
Topic: Mental Wellness
Class Description: In this interactive class, Cristi will give you a crash course on holding space for any age who needs validation without asking questions or giving unsolicited advice. As humans we all have defensive mechanisms used to protect from pain including armoring the heart. Having language to express emotions and feel heard initiates the disarming of a defensive heart, rewires the brain, and allows space for leaning into uncomfortable feelings in a safe and loving environment.
Biography: Cristi Dame is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Language of Listening® Coach, wife, and mom of four spunky kids. Determined to never let go of her playful heart, she chose to specialize in working with children and teenagers using play therapy, sand tray, and expressive arts…basically any excuse to play! During her practice, she came to realize strengthening the connection between parent and child was a key element to healing and growth. Through her strength-based approach, Cristi currently focuses on working side by side with parents in teaching them basic play therapy skills to hold their own “special play times” and increase their connection and communication with one another.
2nd Half of Gym
2nd Half of Gym (10:30 am – 3:20 pm)
Title: Stories of Hope and Healing
Topic: Emotional Resilience & Mental Wellness
Presenters: Kari & Dave
Class Description: Kari and Dave each share their experiences with emotional resilience, tools and resources that have helped them and how they are finding hope through Jesus Christ.
Title: Medication, Faith, and Healing: Navigating Trauma for Hope and Recovery
Topic: Mental Wellness
Presenters: Jeff Johnson, Pharm-D, PA-C
Class Description: This will be a presentation on how trauma affects the brain and hijacks it. We will discuss how trauma can lead to addiction and ways to help break the cycle. We will discuss the role of medications in trauma and how they can help or hurt.
Biography: Jeff Johnson is both a pharmacist and a PA. He has worked in numerous settings including community pharmacy, emergency medicine, and mental health. He is also a professor and teaches harmacology and other medical topics at Idaho State University.
Title: “Healing What’s Hidden” – Conquering Trauma Through Christ
Topic: Trauma Support
Presenters: Lynn and Jeff Woodard
Class Description: Many of us have experienced or know of friends and loved ones who suffer life altering trauma of various types and degrees. These may take the form of sexual, emotional or physical buse, to name a few. Ever notice that while some of us go on to live fulfilling lives, others become bitter and feel broken? The scars that we carry as victims often leave us in a dark place, hidden from the ability to feel happiness and love. Jeff and Lynn discuss ways to find light, hope, and even healing, through cultivating a relationship with Christ.
Title: Stories of Hope and Healing
Topic: Mental Wellness
Presenters: Ben & Mary
Class Description: Ben and Mary each share their personal struggles with mental wellness, tools and resources that have helped them and how they are healing and finding hope through Jesus Christ.
Relief Society
Relief Society (10:30 am – 3:20 pm)
Title: Stories of Hope and Healing
Topic: Addiction Recovery
Presenters: Erin & Mike
Class Description: Erin and Mike share their individual experiences with addiction, that tools and resources have helped them and how they are healing and finding hope through Jesus Christ.
Title: Stories of Hope and Healing
Topic: Family Support
Presenters: Michelle & Chad and Kimberly
Class Description: Michelle, Chad and Kimberly share their personal struggles regarding loved ones facing various challenges, tools and resources that have helped them and how they are healing and finding hope through Jesus Christ.
Title: Stories of Hope and Healing
Topic: Family Support
Presenters: Steve & Amber
Class Description: Steve and Amber share their personal struggles regarding loved ones facing various challenges, tools and resources that have helped them and how they are healing and finding hope through Jesus Christ.
Title: Stories of Hope and Healing
Topic: Addiction Recovery
Presenters: Seth & Shane
Class Description: Seth and Shane share their individual experiences with addiction, what tools and resources have helped them and how they are healing and finding hope through Jesus Christ.