鈥淎ll congregations are touched in some way by mental illness,鈥� said , coordinator for this year鈥檚 at .
鈥淥ur goal is to help church leaders and congregations become healthy sources of support for both the individuals and their family and friends.鈥�
The January 21-23 event, titled 鈥淚magining the Church as Healing Space: To Hear, To Hold, To Hope,鈥� will help leaders explore the role of congregations in providing space for those with mental illness, as well as families and friends who play a supportive role with these individuals.
Speakers will share from their personal journeys and offer ways to hold brokenness and faith in tension in the midst of the challenges of mental illness.
Michael and Joan King and Ijeoma Achara will speak Monday evening on 鈥淎n invitation to hear, to hold, to hope鈥� in a plenary session open to the public. Michael is dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Joan is a counselor and senior integration consultant for the . Achara is a consultant for state and local governments and health care providers on developing recovery-oriented systems of care for those with mental health issues.
Tuesday morning, Tilda Norberg, author and founder of Gestalt Pastoral Care, will lead an experiential session on 鈥淕estalt Pastoral Care: A New Approach to the Ministry of Healing.鈥�
Tuesday morning, , professor of pastoral care at EMS, and , director of , will lead the group in a session titled 鈥淚t takes a healthy village: 5 things to know about mental illness,鈥� giving participants basic information about mental health and mental illness issues.
Tuesday evening, John Otenasek, executive director of a non-profit center for healing and recovery, will lead a panel of individuals who will share personal stories of the journey through the extreme emotional states of what our society labels 鈥渕ental illness.鈥�
Wednesday morning, Ted Swartz, founder of , will perform 鈥淟aughter Is Sacred Space,鈥� a show based on his experiences with his acting partner Lee Eshleman, who committed suicide in 2007.
Workshops will explore various aspects of the ways congregations can support individuals with mental illness and their families in healthy and sustainable ways.
Pre-registration is necessary for all events except Monday evening. For more information or to register, visit .