What is This?
ABOUT
Wholistic Education, LLC was created by the Rev. Russell Elleven,DMin, a Pastoral Counselor, Thanatologist (one who studies grief/death/dying), & Community Minister. The idea was to bring talk about the things in life that often bring difficulties into full view. Russell has specialized training in many of these life difficulties, things like grief, relationship issues, addictive behaviors, grief and death and dying. This is accomplished primarily by personal consulting and public speaking (typically via zoom). Russell also consults with counselors, therapists, social workers and nurses.
Why (W)holistic?
Russell was very influenced by the writings of a Lutheran pastor and scholar, Rev. Granger Westberg. Rev. Westberg was one of the earliest adopters of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). Typically held in a hospital setting, CPE students are taught counseling skills on top of their theological education. Westberg, when speaking of the mind-body-spirit connection, would talk about supporting the “whole” person rather than just the “hole” in the person (paraphrasing). For instance, those who grieve intensely have a *hole* somewhere in them but can indeed be made *whole* again. It’s in this spirit that the term wholistic is used on this website. Rev. Westberg also wrote the classic text, Good Grief: A Companion for Every Loss.
As a society, we have done a decent job of educating about many aspects of our lived experiences. But many of the things life throws at us leave us unmoored and looking for relief. That is why Wholistic Ed was created. To offer a loving pastoral response when life seems to be falling apart all around us.
I’m Not Sure About Seeing a Minister
Understandable. There are all kinds of people claiming to be “ministers” on the Internet. Additionally, real ministers often have a reputation of being stuffy, judgmental, and dismissive. Russell is not that. More than anything else, he has been trained to listen intently, nonjudgmentally, to ask clarifying questions, and offer educational suggestions. As a chaplain he will meet you wherever you are amidst life’s difficulties and support you. You will talk as much or as little about religion or spirituality as you desire. Don’t hesitate to let Russell know your concern when you talk. He will hear you.
Personal:
Russell is a two-time cancer survivor. The first time he was only 13 years old and felt a pain in his dominant arm (he was left handed). It turned out he had bone cancer and once they figured this out things moved quickly. There was a biopsy then, after confirmation of the cancer, his entire left arm was amputated. That was in 1978. He’s still here but, yes, he does type more slowly than you do.
At the age of 39 cancer revisited Russell. This time it was colorectal and to be quite honest, this cancer negatively affected him more than the other. Without going into great detail, the ensuing radiation, surgery, post-operative radiation and chemotherapy continue to play havoc on his body even today. This has made it difficult to work as much as he used to, even in the recent past. The Wholistic Education Consortium, LLC is his attempt to stay active by educating and supporting people by providing a sorely needed service.
He’s been happily married since 1992 and, by all indications, will continue to be married for the foreseeable future. They currently live with two cats, Maisy and Libby.
The two websites affiliated with Wholistic Education, LLC are:
