United Church of Christ Mental Health Network

Working to reduce stigma & promote the inclusion of people with mental health challenges and neurodiversity.

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WISE IKC Fall Webinar 2020

Join this Mental Health Movement in the UCC

On behalf of the UCC Mental Health Network, I warmly invite you to attend a WISE Conference on Mental Health. Being impacted by mental health conditions in my own family, I know these conferences do make a difference. It reduces the stigma about mental illness and increases our understanding of mental health conditions and how our congregations can respond. You will experience personal stories; receive practical steps to engage in a mental health ministry in your congregation; and be introduced to the WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, Engaged) Covenant for congregations for mental health. Please join us.
– Rev. Alan Johnson, Chair

UCC Congregations for Mental Health – Fall 2020 Webinar

in partnership with the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the UCC

ASL interpreters will be available.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Agenda

Friday, November 13, 2020 (6:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern Time Zone)

6:00 – 6:15 pm

Welcome/Opening Music and Devotional

6:15 – 7:00 pm

Keynote Address – The Lifesaving Power of Personal Story

(Click above to read more about Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe.)

  • Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe

Chaplains:
Rev.  Marie  Siroky is Board Certified  Chaplain as well as certified with the Red Cross Disaster Spiritual Care deployment. A social justice and reproductive rights Chaplain, she and her wife of  24 yrs,  CJ (diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder ) are part of their home church, Trinity  UCC  Gary, IN Mental Health Awareness Ministry. 

Rev. Elizabeth Price serves as a Board Certified Chaplain and ACPE Certified Educator at IU Health, University Hospital.  She is an active member of First Congregational UCC in Indianapolis, Indiana.

7:00 – 7:45 pm

Becoming a WISE Congregation for Mental Health – the 10 Steps

(Click above to read a description of the workshop, workshop leaders’ bios, plus find access resources.)

  • Rev. Shernell Edney Stilley
  • Rev. Amy Petré Hill

7:45 – 8:00 pm

Review of Saturday schedule, and description of CORE groups

8:00 – 8:30 pm

CORE groups

Saturday, November 14, 2020 (all times are Eastern Time Zone):

10:00 – 10:15 am

Welcome and Mindful Movement
Indiana-Kentucky Conference Mental Health Team

  • Shannon Gabbott

10:15 – 11:45 am

WORKSHOPS

Mental Health 101

(Click above to read a description of the workshop, workshop leaders’ bios, plus find access resources.)

  • Rev. Amy Petré Hill
  • Jon Gilbert Martinez, M.Div.

Depression/Anxiety/Grief in the time of Covid

(Click above to read a description of the workshop, workshop leaders’ bios, plus find access resources.)

  • Vicki K. Harvey, Psy.D.
  • Ms. Robin Kempster, R.N.

Where Hurt and Hope Meet

(Click above to read a description of the workshop, workshop leaders’ bios.)

  • Rev. Dr. Kirsten Peachey, MSW, MDiv., DMin.
  • Amy McNicholas, LCPC

Starting a Mental Health Spiritual Support Group 

(Click above to read a description of the workshop, workshop leader’s bio, plus find access resources.)

  • Rev. Alan Johnson

Addiction/Opioid Crisis 

(Click above to read a description of the workshop, workshop leaders’ bios, plus find access resources.)

  • Rev. Jack Abel, MDiv MBA.
  • Rev. Erica Poellot

Suicide: Prevention, Intervention, Postvention

(Click above to read a description of the workshop, workshop leaders’ bios, plus find access resources.)

  • Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe

Clergy Mental Health

(Click above to read a description of the workshop, workshop leaders’ bios, plus find access resources.)

  • Rev. Megan Snell
  • Bishop Allyson Abrams

11:45 – 12:00 noon

Break

12:00 – 1:00 pm

Lunch Panel

Ableism: the Intersection of Mental Health with Racism/LGBTQIA+/Disabilities

  • Bishop Allyson D. Nelson Abrams, DMin.
  • Jon Gilbert Martinez, M.Div.
  • Rev. Laura Canata

Bishop Allyson Abrams is the founder/pastor of Empowerment Liberation Cathedral (DC). She is the founder/president of Empowerment Justice Center & EJC Wellness Center. Her loving spirit and compassion for creation brought her to wellness for all. She is an entrepreneur. Dr. Abrams currently serves on the NSBA Leadership Council. She is the wife of Dr. Diana Williams and the mother of 3 college graduate children. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @Bishop Allyson Abrams

Jon Gilbert Martinez joined the UCC MHN Board in 2019 after attending a WISE Conference. He is a member-in-discernment with the Chicago Metropolitan Association‐Illinois Conference of the UCC. Gilbert serves as the vice-moderator for the CMA and as the Digital Outreach Minister at San Lucas UCC-Chicago. He also serves as the Communications Consultant for the Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries. Gilbert serves the UCC Mental Health Network as one of two vice-chairs.

Rev. Laura Cannata is a Justice Minister, ordained in the United Church of Christ. She graduated from United Theological Seminary in 2016. She specializes in Disability and Mental Health Justice because that is where she has lived experience. Laura has multiple physical and mental health disabilities. She is on the Board of Director’s for Disability Ministries. Laura does preaching, speaking, and educational engagements. In her free time she can be found playing with her animals, hanging with her friends (pre-covid) and rereading the Lord of the Rings.

1:00 – 2:30 pm

Workshops (repeat of morning workshops)

2:30 – 2:45 pm

Break

2:45 – 3:00 pm

Welcome back/Mindful Movement

3:00 – 3:30 pm

The Basics: How one church started a Mental Health Ministry and voted to become a WISE Congregation

(Click above to access resources.)

  • Ms. Robin Kempster, R.N.

3:30 – 4:00 pm

Breakout Rooms

4:00-4:30 pm 

Closing gathering and worship

Inspiration and Practical Steps to Implement Mental Health Ministry in your Congregation:

  • Ways congregations can address mental health concerns
  • Stories from persons affected by mental health issues
  • Practical steps to engage in a mental health ministry
  • Introduction to the WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, Engaged) Covenant
  • Network with those who are on the journey to address mental health challenges
  • Ongoing support

For more information, email our WISE Team at wise@mhn-ucc.org

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