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 Bellevill
e, IL, the UCC MIN has been renewed. A new Steering Committee was formed and the new Chair of the Network is Alan Johnson.
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This content was originally part of the post about the Mental Illness Network; which has become the Mental Health Network. This information became its own post on January 4, 2014.
A Joyful Summary
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)
Pathways to Promise: Interfaith Ministries & Mental Illness presents the 2009 Faith-Based National Summit September 29-October 1 in Belleville, Illinois.
Companions on the Road to Recovery from Mental Illness
Pathways for the 21st Century
Models of Ministry and Collaboration
explore ï’ meet ï’ connect
Pathways to Promise was formed to mobilize national faith groups and local congregations across the United States to reduce stigma and to support people with mental illnesses and their family members in the process of recovery. As a result, the last two decades have seen exemplary models of ministry emerging in
congregations across the country. Come learn from the successes and help us establish new pathways for progress and collaboration.
Registration Deadline: September 15
Visit www.Pathways2Promise.org
ONE MIND
MENTAL ILLNESS MINISTRY
Changing the World
One Mind at a Time
onemindmentalillnessministry@yahoo.com
Registration packets will contain resource materials including the following & more:
ï‚·ï€ An Overview Document laying out the basic capacities we have and the challenges we face concerning access to treatment and supportive
systems of care for people with mental illness;
ï‚·ï€ A Discussion Paper on The Role of Local Faith Groups – congregations, synagogues, mosques, temples, meetings – in supporting healing and
recovery;
ï‚·ï€ A Discussion Paper on The Role of Local Interfaith Collaborations and Partnerships with the wider community in fostering education, training,
service and advocacy;
ï‚·ï€ A Discussion Paper on A National Training Initiative, envisioning a basic training to local communities and ready access to a core set of educational,
program and advocacy resources;
ï‚·ï€ A Discussion Paper on The Role of Mental Illness Networks and Specialized Mental Health Ministries in the life and work of our various faith
groups and traditions;
ï‚·ï€ An Issues Paper covering such topics as Returning Vets, Homelessness, Cultural Competency, Dual Diagnosis, an Aging Population, and the
Health of the Whole Person
Companions on the Road to Recovery Registration— Registration Deadline September 15, 2009
Name_______________________________________ Church/Temple Affiliation_____________________________
Home Address________________________________ Work Address ______________________________________
City______________________ State____ Zip_______ City ________________________ State____ Zip___________
Daytime Phone _______________________________ Profession _________________________________________
Email Address_________________________________ Degree ____________________________________________
Special needs ______________________________________________
Registration includes lunch and dinner on both Sep 29 & 30
Early Bird Registration by August 15, 2009 $150 _______
Regular registration Fee $165 _______
I cannot attend but would like to support
attendance for consumers and family
members by contributing $________
Amount Enclosed $_______
Are you interested in CEUs? Yes____ No_____
041009
Mail this form to:
National Shrine of our Lady -Pastoral Dept
442 S. De Mazenod Dr.
Belleville, IL 62223-1023
Check enclosed payable to:
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
ï± Visa ï± MasterCard ï± Discover ï± Am Ex
Credit Card# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Expires _ _/_ _
Signature ______________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
Conference Location and Room Reservations
The conference will be held at The National Shrine of our Lady of
the Snows in Belleville, IL., just 15 minutes from Downtown St.
Louis; 35 miles from St. Louis International Airport. Rooms are
available at the Shrine Hotel starting at a special rate of $58 (rate
valid until 9/15/09). For reservations call 800â€682â€2879. For directions
and info visit www.snows.org.
Additional rooms are available at the Ramada Inn Fairview Heights,
approximately 15 minutes from the Shrine. A special rate of $65 is
available until 9/8/09; mention group code P2P when making your
reservation. Call 800â€947â€0317 for reservations. For more info visit
www.ramadafairviewheights.com.
For additional information please call Pathways at 314â€877â€6489,
email Pathways@mimh.edu, or visit www.Pathways2Promise.org.
This is an early printing of the brochure and subject to change.
COMING SOON:
Continuing Education Credit information
Choosing your breakout sessions
Transportation info
Exhibitor Information
Souls in the Hands of a Tender God: Stories of the Search for Home and Healing on the Streets by Craig Rennebohm with David Paul
What do people need when their brain chemistry is out of balance, when their thoughts and feelings are in disarray? Continue reading
Annotated Bibliography
Continue reading
Souls in the Hands of a Tender God is a beautifully written, highly readable, inspiring book, authored by the Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm, a United Church of Christ Pastor and Chaplain.
Continue reading