Mental Illness and Developmental Disability Ministries
The resolution Called to wholeness in Christ: Becoming a church accessible to all (2005 General Synod) called for all churches to extend an 'extravagent welcome' to those with physical, mental and developmental disabilities.
Congregations and individuals in the Southwest Conference are working to be accessible to all (A2A).
| Faith Communities & Mental Illness - Tools for Response and Care | |
| Friday, April 27, 2012, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. St. Philip's In The Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson According to the Surgeon General, over half of the people in the United States will experience a mental disorder at some point in their lives. And faith communities are one of the first places to turn for comfort and assistance. This timely, one-day conference is packed with workshops and presentations from noted national and local experts on the powerful intersection of faith and mental illness. You'll come away with useful insights and resources for better understanding mental illness and how congregations can be welcoming places for people affected by mental illness. Registration: $35 each or 4 for $100. Find more information on the Interfaith Community Services website |
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| Called to Care Coordinating Council | |
Location: First Congregational UCC, Phoenix, Anthony Lounge Called to Care Coordinating Council is a disability ministry for caregivers of children and adults with special needs, either serious mental illness or developmental disabilities. Sponsored by the First Congregational UCC and facilitated by Robert Koth, their purpose is to create a caring community that provides support services for caregivers. They also provide assistance to other ministries, such as the Multi Functioning Families Group at Shadow Rock UCC. The Council has found the publication, Mental Illness & Families of Faith: How Congregations Can Respond by Susan Gregg-Schroeder, a helpful guide for both forms of disability. The Five Step Program proposed by this manual consists of Education, Covenant, Welcome, Support, and Advocacy.
If you are a caregiver of children or adults with special needs, you are welcome to join us. |
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| Resources | |
 "Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for All" Read Robert Koth's report on the national gathering. Mental Illness & Families of Faith: How Congregations Can Respond by Susan Gregg-Schroeder is a downloadable resource/study guide for clergy and communities of faith on the Mental Health Ministries Web site (scroll halfway down page). Available in English and Spanish Ten steps for developing a Mental Health Ministry in your congregation Downloadable resource, written by Joanne Kelly and Alan Johnson Mental Illness Network The Mental Illness Network ministers to the need for families and others to communicate among themselves about their experiences as families, and in congregations. Links on the site include: The Mental Illnesses, Possible Signs and Symptoms, The Network's Major Concerns, What You Can Do, Resource Materials and more. United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries This site has news, resources, networking links and more to help congregations explore and become accessible to all. The Rev. Dr. Dosia Carlson, a member of Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix and the wider United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries community has contributed several stories on this site. |
