A Joyful Summary of the Newly Reconstituted United Church of Christ Mental Illness Network (UCC-MIN)
October 2, 2009
At the recent Pathways to Promise Interfaith Summit Conference on Mental Illness from Sept. 29-October 1, 2009 in Belleville, IL, the UCC MIN has been renewed. A new Steering Committee was formed and the new Chair of the Network is Alan Johnson.
The program highlights for me, said Alan, were the presentation by Dr. Ken Thompson, the medical director of the Center for Mental Health Services, the personal testimony by the Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman, the interim conference minister of the UCC Southern California, Nevada Conference, and the training by the Rev. Craig Rennebohm. Ken lifted up the significance of clergy gatherings as well as the importance of offering a spiritual home that address the needs of people who are living with mental illness. Faith communities provide a structure of belonging that provide social inclusion in a society that breeds a cycle of exclusion, he said. Jane spoke compellingly, compassionately, and clearly about ways to embrace everyone who is living with depression, especially clergy. Craig gave an on the spot training on companioning.
Three hours were given to envision the next steps of the UCC MIN and how we might implement them.
First, we edited a Covenant Statement drafted by Craig. It names the intent of the UCC MIN and invites participation by all the setting of the church. Our intent is to have at least 10% of our UCC membership to sign onto this covenant by General Synod, 2011.
Second, we spelled out the structure for developing and expanding our communications. That includes the MIN website, a link with the UCC Justice and Witness as well as the Local Church Ministry. We talked about our own Facebook as well as joining the UCC My Space.
Third, we envisioned a National Conference on Mental Illness in the fall of next year, 2010. We acknowledged it was eleven years ago that General Synod voted “Calling the People of God to Justice for Persons with Serious ‘Mental’ Illnesses (Brain Disorders,) and we still have much more work to do! Very tentatively we heard one suggestion of a title: Our Churches Widen the Welcome: For all who are affected by Mental Illness/Brain Disorders and those who want to know more! One suggested site is Denver due to the strong connection with two congregations in particular that are involved in this area of ministry as well as the Denver Mental Health Center that is working strongly in the area of spirituality and mental illness/recovery.
Fourth, the new Steering Committee was formed by acclamation!
Fifth, we affirmed the faithful and long-standing work of the UCC MIN in particular through the leadership of Bob Dell, Craig Rennebohm and Norma Mengel.
Sixth, we thanked the UCC LCM and the UCC Disabilities Ministry for their financial support over these years and look forward to the continued connection with JW. We thanked Barbara Baylor for her presence and participation though JW.
Seventh, throughout the three-day conference we continued to wrestle with the language we use about this area. Mental Illness and/or Mental Health and/or Brain Disorders; Wellness, Healing and Recovery; suffering and/or the gifts; are these “illnesses†disabilities? We are all trying to find language that is appropriate and inclusive, and is particular in that it describes how things are as well as being compassionate.
We are off and running with the Holy Spirit’s energy and the impetus of our passion we are ready to re-engage the UCC in mental illness/brain disorder issues and concerns. More will come. However, in the meantime, you are invited to get in touch with Alan Johnson with your thoughts, reflections, questions, and interest. (revalan2004@comcast.net)