The website is up with all the information for the second Widening the Welcome conference, happening in Columbus Ohio from Sept. 29th to Oct. 1, 2011. Check it out and plan to attend! This event is co-sponsored by the UCC Disabilities Ministries Board and the UCC Mental Illness Network. Visit the website at www.wideningthewelcome.com.
Category Archives: Widening the Welcome
Save the Date, Widening the Welcome 2010
This content was part of the post about the Mental Illness Network until it was made it own post on January 4, 2014.
SAVE THE DATE
September 23-26, 2010
forThe 2010 UCC National Gathering in St. Louis
Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for All
Your congregation is a people that is called to be a welcoming community. In Romans we read, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:7, 13. Welcome embraces the involvement of everyone, including people who have been touched by or have experienced a mental illness/brain disorder and/or a disability, apparent or unapparent. Sponsored by the United Church of Christ (UCC) Disabilities Ministries and the UCC Mental Illness Network, the purposes of this Conference are:
i. to educate about mental illnesses/brain disorders and disabilities;
ii. to learn how to develop Mental Health Ministries and A2A Covenants in your congregation;
iii. to share best practices by telling stories;
iv. to network, staying in touch with each other and learn from each other;
v. to offer spiritual support group experiences;
vi. to worship and offer devotions;
vii. to wrestle the words and actions for the UCC MIN Covenant;
viii. to plan activities around UCC Synod, including the Covenant; and
ix. to work toward encouraging every UCC congregation to be committed to compassionate action and widening the welcome for all.
This National Gathering will be hosted by the UCC Mental Illness Network (MIN) and UCC Disabilities Ministries (DM). This Conference will be held Thursday, September 23-Sunday, September 26, 2010. It will be in St. Louis. This gathering is for clergy, consumers, laity, families, and mental health professionals.
So far the speakers include Dr. Nancy Kehoe, a nun and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, author of “Wrestling with our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness, and the Journey to Wholeness” Dr. David Greenhaw, President of Eden Theological Seminary, the Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman and the Rev. Bob Molsberry, UCC Conference Ministers, the Rev. Jeanne Tyler with the UCC DM, Mr. Jeffrey Pollack Esq., Attorney in Cleveland, the Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm, author of “Souls in the Hands of a Tender God”, and the Rev. Alan Johnson, author of “Encounters at the Counter: What Congregations can learn about Hospitality from Business”.
For more details and information, email Alan Johnson, Chair of the UCC MIN, revalan2004@comcast.net
Invitation to Widening the Welcome 2010
This was part of the post about the Mental Illness Network until it was made its own post on January 4, 2014.
April 22, 2010
You are Invited to Join Others to Support The UCC Mental Illness Network and the UCC Disabilities Ministry National 2010 Conference “Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for All”
Faith Communities are called to be a welcoming communities. In Romans we read, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:7, 13. Welcome embraces the involvement of everyone, including people who have been touched by or have experienced a mental illness/brain disorder and/or a disability, apparent or unapparent.
This first National Conference will be held in St. Louis, at the Drury Inn, on September 23-26, 2010. This Conference is for clergy, consumers, laity, families, and mental health professionals. The purposes are:
- to educate about mental illnesses/brain disorders and disabilities;
- to learn how to develop Mental Health Ministries and A2A Covenants in your congregation;
- to share best practices by telling stories;
- to network, staying in touch with each other and learn from each other;
- to offer spiritual support group experiences, to worship and offer devotions;
- to plan activities around UCC Synod; and
- to work toward encouraging every faith congregation to be committed to compassionate action and widening the welcome for all.
As a financial supporter of this Conference you will be taking a step in this new frontier of inclusion for all. Many people are marginalized in our society because of their mental illness/brain disorders or disability/impairment. You will be among those who will be voicing and acting on your commitment to be a more whole and strengthened faith community.
The speakers include Dr. Nancy Kehoe, a nun and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, author of “Wrestling with our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness, and the Journey to Wholeness”, Dr. Debbie Creamer, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, author of “Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities”,
Dr. David Greenhaw, President of Eden Theological Seminary, the Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman and the Rev. Bob Molsberry, author of “Blindsided by Grace”, UCC Conference Ministers, the Rev. Jeanne Tyler with the UCC DM, Mr. Jeffrey Pollock Esq., Attorney in Cleveland, the Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm, author of “Souls in the Hands of a Tender God”, and the Rev. Alan Johnson, author of “Encounters at the Counter: What Congregations can learn about Hospitality from Business”. There will be Worship, Workshops, Panels, Videos, Display Tables and opportunities to share in small groups.
We, the Planning Team, ask for you to support this Conference not only with your prayers but also with a financial donation. You and/or your congregation would be listed on the Conference Program in any of these categories. We would also introduce you at the Conference, if you are present.
- Leader: ($1,000 and more)
- Advocate: ($500-$900)
- Sponsor: ($100-$400)
Your check can be made payable to Conference Office and sent to:
Summit Meetings, Inc., 90 Madison Street, Suite 403, Denver, CO 80206.
For more details and information, email Alan Johnson, Chair of the UCC MIN, revalan2004@comcast.net