Meeting Archives
October 12, 2020
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Topic: Barriers to Overcome: Mental Health in Faith Communities
Speaker: The Rev. Alan Johnson "We know that not every congregation is managing how mental health can become a topic as easy to talk about as our breathing. There are barriers. I believe that almost 90% of the adults in our congregations have been impacted somehow by mental health challenges for themselves, their loved ones, or even work colleagues or neighbors. The WISE program intends to break the stigma and the silence about mental health so it can become as natural as our breath. What has helped you and your congregation to boldly and compassionately embrace mental health? Where is the energy stuck? How has the spirit moved you and your congregation to overcome barriers? Let's talk about where you are on this journey!" -Alan Johnson Bio of Alan Johnson Alan Johnson is an ordained clergy in the United Church of Christ and is a graduate of Yale University Divinity School. He served congregations in CT and NYC; was on the national staff of the United Church of Christ, 1979-1995; and retired as chaplain at The Children’s Hospital, Denver. He is a co-founder and chair of the Interfaith Network on Mental Illness, Boulder, CO, and presently is chair of the Board of Directors of the United Church of Christ Mental Health Network. He is a mental health advocate having family members who have lived experience of mental illness and was one of the developers of the WISE congregations for mental health program. (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged). |
November 9, 2020
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TIME: 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Topic: The Saint’s Complaint: Excellence in Religion and Mental Health Speaker: Garry Crites, Executive Director of NAMI NC Garry Crites is the Executive Director of NAMI North Carolina. Before coming to NAMI, Garry spent over 20 years at Duke University as a PhD student in Religion and History, as a program director at Duke Continuing Studies, and most recently, as the Director of Operations at Duke’s Talent Identification Program. An ordained minister, Garry is committed to a person-centered approach to NAMI’s mission, whether in affiliate outreach, staff relations, and especially its work among persons affected by mental illness. |
December 14, 2020
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FCMI Zoom Connectors' Meeting
Date: Monday, December 14, 2020 Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Speaker: Marion Hirsch Topic: Mental Health Awareness and Support for Youth Groups, Who do most teens turn to first when they are having mental health challenges? In most cases it's another teen, who may not know how to help or who to turn to for guidance. Marion will share information about a mental health awareness program for the HS youth group at The Community Church, designed to give youth the resources they need to assist a friend or know who they can confide in when they are having a mental health crisis. This program is part of a wider church effort towards destigmatizing mental illness and creating a supportive community of openness and trust. Marion will share a practical approach for building a more resilient faith community for youth. |
Marion Hirsch has served as the Director of Religious Education at the Community Church of Chapel Hill since May 2000. Prior to her work in the church, she was an archivist and special collections librarian at UNC and Duke. She grew up in Charlotte, NC and has been in Chapel Hill since 1982 where she lives happily with husband Ken. She has 3 grown children, Sarah, Franklin, and James. Marion is responsible for the coordination and leadership of the congregation’s religious education and faith development programs for all ages -- children, youth and adult. She is staff support to the Children’s Ministry Team, the Youth Ministry Team, Covenant Groups and the Spiritual Exploration for Adults (SEA) Program. She also leads the congregation's UU campus ministry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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March 8, 2021 |
Topic: Leading a Faith Community in the Time of COVID
Speakers: Mary Ellen McGuire, Rev. Peebles Lindsay-Lucas, and Rev. Meg Perry McLaughlin
Rev. Meg Perry McLaughlin feels called to share good Gospel news–in word, in deed, in silence, in all things–to all of God’s beloved children. She is a native of North Carolina, graduated with a Bachelor’s in English Literature from UNC and with a M. Div. and in Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Meg is a Co-Pastor with University Presbyterian Church of Chapel Hill.
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April 12, 2021 |
Topic: Tending the Flock: Mobilizing Your Congregation to Care
Speakers: Anne Drennan and Emily McCoy, Watts Street Baptist Ministry Anne and Emily of Watts Street Baptist Ministry will be joining us to share on their mental health ministry: how this ministry of caring was started, the expectations of volunteers, the selection of participants, the training that is done, and the monthly reports that are shared with the ministers. Anne Drennan was the congregational health nurse at Watts Street Baptist Church for 5 years at the end of her career; she has been a member there for 50 years. Her interests focus on helping people navigate the healthcare system, advocate for themselves, and connect with each other. “Take better care of yourself so you can help care for others.” In addition, she has 10+ years’ experience in volunteer management. Emily McCoy's interest and passion for homebound members became acute when members of her family received very little attention from their own churches once they could no longer be active. Knowing how difficult it is for pastoral staff or deacons to regularly visit, starting a program with volunteers whose sole focus was to reach out to those who can no longer be actively involved in church life, became a focus. Emily joined Watts Street in 2004 and found her Baptist roots after having been a Presbyterian for more than 30 years. |