Conference Resource Page
1 in 5 Americans live with a mental health condition. Many times they are stigmatized, feared and shunned. Others suffer silently, afraid to share their stories or unable to access the resources they need. As communities of faith, how do we address these issues and minister to those who need help? How can we turn our faith communities into safe havens where those struggling with mental health issues feel welcomed, loved and cared for?
Join us to explore these questions and more. Keynote speaker and UCC pastor Sarah Griffith Lund, who has a depth of experience with mental health issues, will dispel the major myths and teach us how to build communities of faith that are welcoming, inclusive, supportive, and engaged. Mental health experts and community partners will give us the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to provide this important ministry in our diverse contexts. Together we will explore the vital role for communities of faith in mental health.
Plenary Speaker: Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund
Sarah Griffith Lund is passionate about loving her family, God, and being part of faith communities. She is an ordained minister and has served as pastor to churches in Brooklyn, NY, Minneapolis, MN, and New Smyrna Beach, FL. She holds degrees from Trinity University, Princeton Theological Seminary, Rutgers University, and McCormick Theological Seminary. She currently serves as a Vice President for Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN. Sarah received the Engle Preaching Prize from Princeton and the Bob and Joyce Dell Award for Mental Health Education from the United Church of Christ Mental Health Network in 2015 for “her outstanding authorship and leadership in breaking the silence about mental illness in family and in church and offering healing and hope.” Sarah is the author of the acclaimed Blessed are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence About Mental Illness, Family and Church (Chalice, 2014) and blogs at sarahgriffithlund.com. Sarah serves on the leadership team for the Bethany Ecumenical Fellows (www.bethanyfellows.org), a program to nurture young pastors in their first five years of local church ministry. Sarah is married to Jonathan and they are the parents to a first grader named Carter.
In addition, Rev. Dr. Lund will be the guest preacher at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 10:30 am. First Christian Church is located in the SpringHouse Ministry Center.
Press Items:
November VOICES Press Release
November VOICES Poster 8.5 x 11
November VOICES Bulletin Insert
November VOICES Facebook graphic
