Recent studies indicate that mental illness affects at least one of four families in the US. Unfortunately, great stigmas against people who suffer from mental health issues persist throughout our society and in many of our churches. Most major Christian and Jewish denominations have published resolutions that oppose this discrimination. Before we look at the positions of our own United Methodist Church, let’s first consider a few facts about mental health.
How common are mental health issues? (data from NAMI and CMHS)
· At any given moment more than 48 million Americans are suffering from a "diagnosable" mental illness, and 11 million are suffering from a "severe" mental illness.
· 20.4% of all people suffer from a mood disorder at some point in their lives.
· 14.8 million adults suffer from major depression
· 5.7 million suffer from bipolar illness
· 2.4 million suffer from schizophrenia
· 6 million suffer from anxiety or panic disorder
Are these illnesses treatable? A team approach using the skills of psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers will allow most people with mental illness to be members of the community. Treatment options are available for virtually all of these conditions.
Can people with mental health issues contribute? Many people with mental illness are productive members of the community. Unemployment is a serious concern among those with severe mental illness such as severe schizophrenia, but many people under treatment are capable of working or volunteering.
Are those with mental health issues at fault for their illnesses? Causes of most metal illnesses are not completely understood, but there are genetic and environmental factors. Mental illness is not a personal failing. More and more mental illnesses have been traced to chemical and structural changes in the brain. The distinction between mental and physical illnesses is therefore somewhat artificial.
What does the United Methodist Book of Discipline say about Mental Health Issues? “We recognize , embrace, and affirm the full humanity and personhood of all individuals with mental, physical, developmental, neurological, and psychological conditions or disabilities as full members of the family of God. We also affirm their rightful place in both church and society.” BOD ¶162.
What does the United Methodist Book of Resolutions say about Mental Health Issues? “The mission to bring all persons into a community of love is central to the teachings of Christ. We gather as congregations in witness to that mission, welcoming and nurturing those who assemble with us. Yet we confess that in our humanity we have sometimes failed to minister in love to persons and families with mental illness. We have allowed barriers of ignorance, fear, and pride to separate us from those who most need our love and the nurturing support of our community. To support United Methodist congregations to reach out to persons and families with mental illness, the General Board of Church and Society established the United Methodist Mental Illness Network of “Caring Communities,” congregations and communities in covenant relationship with persons and families with mental illness.” BOR #3302.
Religious communities are in a unique position to combat stigma and provide a message of acceptance and hope. Proclaiming the values of social justice, respect for all persons, and non-discrimination, faith communities can reach out to individuals and families affected by mental illness in many helpful ways. Sharing the message that all persons are worthy in the eyes of God, a faith community may be the only place where a person with a mental illness truly feels accepted, valued, and loved.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Conflicting Views Part 2
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Col l3:12-14
It’s always dangerous doing a sequel. At the movies, sequels usually disappoint. But I’m going to take the risk anyway. Last time, we introduced the concept of spiritual community, the basic unit for making decisions together in the church. Today I’d like to continue our discussion by looking at some specific steps we can take to make spiritual community happen.
The essential pieces of spiritual community are that it is centered on Christ, and that it welcomes persons with differing views (hospitality). To encourage spiritual community, our first step is to connect with Christ. We can do that best by prayer. As a part of restoring spiritual community within our church, I’d like to propose that every group function that we have should begin with prayer. That’s right, I’m talking about every group, including youth, kitchen work groups, circle meetings, bazaar workshop, staff meeting, Community Meal, trustees, etc. Every one. A time of prayer helps us set aside our own agenda and pick up Christ’s agenda. We can build hospitality by inviting and welcoming new people into our groups. Also, we can include time for sharing our joys and concerns at each meeting. What if, every time we got together, we took a minute to allow each person to share joys or concerns, and then followed that up with prayers for our group members, our church, and for guidance during our tasks?
After we pray, the next step is to listen to one another. Pastor Hawkins, the author of Cultivating Christian Community reminds us of two important points. First, to listen well, we have to suspend our own agendas and concentrate on what the other person is saying, not upon our own response. When we listen, we suspend judgment, memory, and our own desires. We need to try to turn off the emotional filters and our preconceptions that can get in the way of truly listening. Next, we need to understand that listening is not the same as agreeing. We can acknowledge a speaker’s point of view without agreeing with it. Finally, good listening requires us to seek understanding, and avoid blame.
After we pray and listen, the next step is dialogue. Here are two great steps for achieving successful dialogue: First ask yourself: What and I thinking and feeling? What do I want right now? These questions allow us to improve our own self-awareness. Then we consider our intentions: What do I want to happen? Am I willing to be influenced? If not, what is the purpose of the conversation? If we are honest with ourselves, we can begin to work together to seek real solutions. As Pastor Hawkins writes “Conflict rends asunder. Dialogue heals the divisions between us.
Are we ready to give it a try? I think so. Let’s strengthen our spiritual communities, beginning today.
It’s always dangerous doing a sequel. At the movies, sequels usually disappoint. But I’m going to take the risk anyway. Last time, we introduced the concept of spiritual community, the basic unit for making decisions together in the church. Today I’d like to continue our discussion by looking at some specific steps we can take to make spiritual community happen.
The essential pieces of spiritual community are that it is centered on Christ, and that it welcomes persons with differing views (hospitality). To encourage spiritual community, our first step is to connect with Christ. We can do that best by prayer. As a part of restoring spiritual community within our church, I’d like to propose that every group function that we have should begin with prayer. That’s right, I’m talking about every group, including youth, kitchen work groups, circle meetings, bazaar workshop, staff meeting, Community Meal, trustees, etc. Every one. A time of prayer helps us set aside our own agenda and pick up Christ’s agenda. We can build hospitality by inviting and welcoming new people into our groups. Also, we can include time for sharing our joys and concerns at each meeting. What if, every time we got together, we took a minute to allow each person to share joys or concerns, and then followed that up with prayers for our group members, our church, and for guidance during our tasks?
After we pray, the next step is to listen to one another. Pastor Hawkins, the author of Cultivating Christian Community reminds us of two important points. First, to listen well, we have to suspend our own agendas and concentrate on what the other person is saying, not upon our own response. When we listen, we suspend judgment, memory, and our own desires. We need to try to turn off the emotional filters and our preconceptions that can get in the way of truly listening. Next, we need to understand that listening is not the same as agreeing. We can acknowledge a speaker’s point of view without agreeing with it. Finally, good listening requires us to seek understanding, and avoid blame.
After we pray and listen, the next step is dialogue. Here are two great steps for achieving successful dialogue: First ask yourself: What and I thinking and feeling? What do I want right now? These questions allow us to improve our own self-awareness. Then we consider our intentions: What do I want to happen? Am I willing to be influenced? If not, what is the purpose of the conversation? If we are honest with ourselves, we can begin to work together to seek real solutions. As Pastor Hawkins writes “Conflict rends asunder. Dialogue heals the divisions between us.
Are we ready to give it a try? I think so. Let’s strengthen our spiritual communities, beginning today.
CPR Classes at Rice Hospital
Rice Hospital has CPR classes available to the public. Rice employees have first priority, but others can sign up if the classes are not full. Call 231-8920 to register. Classes cost $15.00
CPR schedule at Rice
July 15, 0800-1030
Aug 24, 0800-1030
Sept 13, 1200-1430
Oct 14, 1530-1800
Nov 10, 1200-1430
Dec 14, 1530-1800
CPR schedule at Rice
July 15, 0800-1030
Aug 24, 0800-1030
Sept 13, 1200-1430
Oct 14, 1530-1800
Nov 10, 1200-1430
Dec 14, 1530-1800
NAMI Western MN support groups
NAMI-Western Minnesota has support groups for consumers of mental health service and family members. The support groups meet every third Thursday at 7:30 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church. For more information, call Ann 320-894-4464, Dolly 320-841-1457, or George 320-235-4211.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Conflicting Views
Conflicting Views
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality, Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of man. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom 12:10-18
“Living in community as God’s people is the goal and fulfillment of human life. It is the precondition for human life itself. There is no I apart from we.” These are the words of Thomas Hawkins, a district superintendent of the United Methodist Church in Illinois. In his book Cultivating Christian Community, Pastor Hawkins emphasizes the need for Christians to develop communities based upon mutual acknowledgement and recognition (notice that he did not say “complete agreement”). The problem is that Christian community requires us to put forth effort, to use restraint, to address our individual fears, and most of all, to express our Christian love. It doesn’t just happen. How do we make it happen?
Pastor Hawkins writes that we first need to be centered in Christ. We need to put away our own agendas and take up Christ’s agenda. This may require us to try new things that are uncomfortable. Second, we must build spiritual communities and not pseudo communities. A spiritual community is formed from a diverse group of people with different gifts and experiences. It represents a true cross section of our church family. A spiritual community actively seeks to involve persons with varying opinions. Spiritual communities are needed in the church. They are the primary way for us to evangelize, nurture our fellow members, and solve our problems.
We can contrast the benefits of spiritual communities with the problems of pseudo communities. I think members of every church have probably experienced these problems from time to time. Pseudo communities are sneaky-they can develop or they can subvert an existing group without the members even realizing it. How can you tell if your group has accidentally entered the pseudo community mode?
Pseudo communities are composed of people with the same or similar outlook. They don’t represent a spectrum of opinions within the church.
The focus of pseudo communities tends to skip from one problem to another, rather than looking for the most important issues. There may be more of a tendency to fix blame rather than to research creative solutions.
Small, easily solved problems start to look like a crisis.
When we begin to point fingers and label each other, we have at least temporarily forsaken spiritual community for pseudo community. So how do we practice spiritual community? Pastor Hawkins gives some key points:
Listening
Dialogue
Discerning God’s will together
Covenant Making
Prayer and reflection together
In the next column (or two), I want to continue sharing Pastor Hawkins’ insights. His book is inspirational and practical. It has been a valuable part of my Certified Lay Ministry studies and I would recommend it to all. For now, let’s pray for each other, and especially for those whose views differ from our own. Let’s pray for our pastor and the lay leaders of the church and pray that we can continue to work together as a spiritual community.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality, Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of man. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom 12:10-18
“Living in community as God’s people is the goal and fulfillment of human life. It is the precondition for human life itself. There is no I apart from we.” These are the words of Thomas Hawkins, a district superintendent of the United Methodist Church in Illinois. In his book Cultivating Christian Community, Pastor Hawkins emphasizes the need for Christians to develop communities based upon mutual acknowledgement and recognition (notice that he did not say “complete agreement”). The problem is that Christian community requires us to put forth effort, to use restraint, to address our individual fears, and most of all, to express our Christian love. It doesn’t just happen. How do we make it happen?
Pastor Hawkins writes that we first need to be centered in Christ. We need to put away our own agendas and take up Christ’s agenda. This may require us to try new things that are uncomfortable. Second, we must build spiritual communities and not pseudo communities. A spiritual community is formed from a diverse group of people with different gifts and experiences. It represents a true cross section of our church family. A spiritual community actively seeks to involve persons with varying opinions. Spiritual communities are needed in the church. They are the primary way for us to evangelize, nurture our fellow members, and solve our problems.
We can contrast the benefits of spiritual communities with the problems of pseudo communities. I think members of every church have probably experienced these problems from time to time. Pseudo communities are sneaky-they can develop or they can subvert an existing group without the members even realizing it. How can you tell if your group has accidentally entered the pseudo community mode?
Pseudo communities are composed of people with the same or similar outlook. They don’t represent a spectrum of opinions within the church.
The focus of pseudo communities tends to skip from one problem to another, rather than looking for the most important issues. There may be more of a tendency to fix blame rather than to research creative solutions.
Small, easily solved problems start to look like a crisis.
When we begin to point fingers and label each other, we have at least temporarily forsaken spiritual community for pseudo community. So how do we practice spiritual community? Pastor Hawkins gives some key points:
Listening
Dialogue
Discerning God’s will together
Covenant Making
Prayer and reflection together
In the next column (or two), I want to continue sharing Pastor Hawkins’ insights. His book is inspirational and practical. It has been a valuable part of my Certified Lay Ministry studies and I would recommend it to all. For now, let’s pray for each other, and especially for those whose views differ from our own. Let’s pray for our pastor and the lay leaders of the church and pray that we can continue to work together as a spiritual community.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Rice Insurance Counseling
Buried in Medical Bills and Insurance Paperwork?
Let the Health Insurance Counseling Program help guide you through the insurance maze.
What is the program?
Volunteers will help you organize and track your medical bills and insurance claims. The volunteers have been trained to act as counselors in hospital rights and insurance claim processing. Although not experts, the volunteers have partipicated in a training program designed to provide them with knowledge in private insurance, Medicare, Medical Assistance, Supplemental Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance, HMOs and other important areas involved in health care coverage. In addition, the volunteers have many resources available to them and can help guide you through the insurance maze.
Volunteers will help:
Prepare insurance claims
Understand patient's hospital rights and insurance benefits
Explore insurance options
Review long-term care options
Answer questions or concerns
Refer clients to other agencies when appropriate
Who is the program for?
The Health Insurance Counseling Program (HICP) is for individuals of all ages. Concerns about medical bills or insurance coverage do not have to relate to Rice Hospital. If you received care in Rochester, Minneapolis, at your physician's clinic or elsewhere, you can use this free service. The program counselors offer one-on-one assistance to help answer your questions.
How do I use the program?
The HICP is offered every Tuesday and Thursday at Rice Memorial Hospital. Volunteers are on site Tuesdays from 9:00am to 11:00am and Thursdays form 12:30pm to 2:00pm. Clients may walk-in during office hours or call for an appointment at 231-4069. HICP is provided free of charge, however, donations for program costs are accepted.
The Health Insurance Counseling Program (HICP) office is locatedat Rice Memorial HospitalProgram Office Hours:Every Tuesday9:00am - 11:00amEvery Thursday12:30pm - 2:00pmCall 231-4069 for questions or to schedule an appointment.
This program is funded by the Rice Health Foundation & Rice Hospital Auxiliary
Let the Health Insurance Counseling Program help guide you through the insurance maze.
What is the program?
Volunteers will help you organize and track your medical bills and insurance claims. The volunteers have been trained to act as counselors in hospital rights and insurance claim processing. Although not experts, the volunteers have partipicated in a training program designed to provide them with knowledge in private insurance, Medicare, Medical Assistance, Supplemental Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance, HMOs and other important areas involved in health care coverage. In addition, the volunteers have many resources available to them and can help guide you through the insurance maze.
Volunteers will help:
Prepare insurance claims
Understand patient's hospital rights and insurance benefits
Explore insurance options
Review long-term care options
Answer questions or concerns
Refer clients to other agencies when appropriate
Who is the program for?
The Health Insurance Counseling Program (HICP) is for individuals of all ages. Concerns about medical bills or insurance coverage do not have to relate to Rice Hospital. If you received care in Rochester, Minneapolis, at your physician's clinic or elsewhere, you can use this free service. The program counselors offer one-on-one assistance to help answer your questions.
How do I use the program?
The HICP is offered every Tuesday and Thursday at Rice Memorial Hospital. Volunteers are on site Tuesdays from 9:00am to 11:00am and Thursdays form 12:30pm to 2:00pm. Clients may walk-in during office hours or call for an appointment at 231-4069. HICP is provided free of charge, however, donations for program costs are accepted.
The Health Insurance Counseling Program (HICP) office is locatedat Rice Memorial HospitalProgram Office Hours:Every Tuesday9:00am - 11:00amEvery Thursday12:30pm - 2:00pmCall 231-4069 for questions or to schedule an appointment.
This program is funded by the Rice Health Foundation & Rice Hospital Auxiliary
Foot Lake Four Walk/Run
Registration is open for this year's Foot Lake Four Walk/Run! The race starts at 8:00 AM on June 26. For more information, go to www.ricehospital.com/race.
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