On Friday, March 31 the
United Church of Christ Mental Health Network sponsored the first W.I.S.E.(Welcoming Inclusive Supportive Engaged) Conference at the First Central Congregational Church in Omaha, Nebraska. It was
my first visit to the Cornhusker State (unfortunately, Warren Buffett was busy,
although his office building was right next to the hotel where I stayed). WISE
is an outreach and education program for churches to be welcoming for those
living with mental health challenges through a variety of resources. It was
approved at the UCC General Synod in 2015.
I was on the planning team
and also presented a workshop entitled, “Mental Health and the Church: How,
When, and Why to Help.” It focused on signs and symptoms of mental health
conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia as well as
that of substance abuse. I also spoke about barriers to effective ministry,
cultural considerations, stigma in the church, and various models of successful
mental health-related programs (Model of Friendship, Creating Caring Faith
Communities, and Communities of Compassion and Justice).
There were also workshops on
how to become a WISE Congregation by Rev. Sarah Griffith-Lund and Rev. Salome As-Salaam, how to develop a spiritual support group for
mental health and wellness by Rev. Alan Johnson, and one on prevention, intervention, and postvention
for suicide by Rev. Rachael Keefe.
The keynote address was delivered
by Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith-Lund, Vice-President for Christian Theological
Seminary and author of Blessed are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence about MentalIllness, Family and Church (Chalice Press). Rev. Lund provided a moving story
of her personal experience as a family member of individuals living with mental
illness. I’ve actually had the opportunity to hear Rev. Lund deliver a talk at the
UCC Widening the Welcome Conference in 2015 but it was still as powerful this
time as it was the first time I heard it. I highly recommend her book.
The topics of mental health
and the church are often mutually exclusive. There are some churches that
disavow those living with mental health challenges. There are some that
stigmatize those with mental illness and do not offer a place free of judgment.
There are those who say, “Pray it out,” or treat the mental health condition as
if it is a symptom of demonic possession. And there are those that remain silent.
One of the objectives of the
WISE initiative is to approach these issues head on by educating congregations
about the facts surrounding mental health disorders and providing practical tools
to equip both clergy and laity about being a more open community. On the
website there is even a toolkit for churches as well as resources such as the
Interfaith Network on Mental Illness, NAMI Faithnet and Pathways to Promise.
The theme of the conference
was from Isaiah 43:1, ““Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by
name; you are mine.” This scripture passage is especially meaningful to me
in that it is a reminder that no matter what, God accepts me and loves me as I
am despite the many challenges I have. Also, when reflecting on this particular
scripture I am assured that God has called me (and others) to do the work of
helping people in need in God’s name. And for those of us that serve on the UCCMental Health Board of Directors it is spreading the Good News and helping churches
within (and outside) the denomination to embrace the teachings of Christ in
respect to those who are so often “invisible” in our congregations.
To get
more personal, I’d like to recount a story from when I was struggling with my
diagnosis of bipolar disorder and was without a church home. It was in the summer
of 1984 and I was living on the West Side of Buffalo, NY, my hometown. On one
sunny Sunday morning, I walked to the Unitarian Universalist Church on nearby
Elmwood Avenue. I visited there particularly because the pastor who confirmed
me, Rev. Philip Smith, was there with his congregation from Pilgrim-St. Luke’sUCC, whose church had a massive fire that previous winter. Many years later I joined as a member, recalling the welcoming presence I felt when I was in need.
I recall
how utterly confused I was. I was dealing with symptoms of mania and found them
difficult to manage. After the worship service, I remember speaking with Rev.
Smith and becoming distraught to the point of breaking down into tears. But
Rev. Smith was patient with me. He didn’t judge me or tell me that I just
needed to “pray harder.” He just listened. There were other times he ministered
to me as well, like the several times I called him in the middle of the night
or when he visited me in the Erie County Medical Center psychiatric unit. In
many ways, Rev. Smith was embodying what the concept of what WISE is all about.
Currently
we are working to spread the word about the WISE Covenant and help churches
throughout our denomination to adopt this program in their congregations. There
have already been several churches who have voted to become a WISE church.
The concept
behind the WISE Covenant is not unique to the UCC. There are other faith
traditions that embrace the practice of compassion and care for those of
differing cognitive abilities. But the more that do so, in my humble opinion,
the better the work we are doing as God’s servants. So, whether you are a
member of the UCC, another denomination or faith tradition, or even someone who
chooses a different path altogether, remember that there are people who deserve
to be treated with respect, dignity and love no matter what their challenge may
be, whether it be physical, mental or emotional.
Be well.
Way to go, Karl. You touched accurately on major themes from the WISE Conference, from your own experience, and the wisdom that you have. Thanks for the encouragement for others to see and find ways to integrate spirituality/faith and mental health. A strong faith foundation does embrace the struggles and the affirmations of all of us who are affected by mental health challenges. Our faith communities can be a vibrant and vital place for people to grow and live their well being. Thanks for your strong voice.
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