UCCDM Lenten Devotional- Silence, Emptiness and Hope

This is the tenth in the UCCDM Lenten Devotional Series. This reflection comes to us from Rev. Alan Johnson, Chair of the UCC Mental Health Network, Ex-Officio Member of UCCDM, and Former UCCDM Board Member. His bio cam be found on the Board of Directors page.

Silence, emptiness and hope are the themes for Holy Saturday

Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24.

The heart of the Christian story is of the three days, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Good Friday is the suffering and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Holy Saturday is the time of emptiness and silence. Easter Sunday is when God raised Jesus from the dead to new life. The three days make a compendium, a trilogy of the whole Christian story. The death, the silence, and the resurrection, as a totality, make us sing our praise, offer us ways to see the new creation coming into being, and lead the believer to a new way to living in the world.

What is the point of Holy Saturday? Why not just go from the death to the resurrection? Because it reveals the truth of life itself. When I was sunk in depression, when I could not sleep, could not focus, was in a daze, could barely communicate and did not have an appetite for many days, it seemed like life had ended. I felt hopeless. It was an empty time; a void of pleasure; a wasteland. Thank goodness for a good therapist, medication, a supportive partner, my Christian faith and a faith community to which I belonged.

That is why Holy Saturday speaks to my soul. While as post-Easter people, we can barely surmise what it must have been when Jesus’ followers knew that he was dead. Really dead, as the Apostle’s creed says, he was crucified, dead and buried. That was it. It was over. Really was. What was the hope then?

In Lamentations, we read of the experience of being bereft.  “…driven and brought me into darkness without any light…has made me sit in darkness like the dead of long ago…though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer.” This must have something of what those early disciples experienced on that day after Jesus’ crucifixion. The bleakness was real. Scripture tells it like it is. Lost, consumed with darkness, not a spark of light or hope. This has been real for many people, as it had been for me.

The emptiness, the silence, our spirits crushed. Holy Saturday, the day after Jesus’ death, allows meaninglessness and hopelessness to seep into our bones. It confirms this common, universal human experience. Although hope comes in our own hopelessness, for the God in Jesus ultimately will not abandon Jesus into a final death, our faith does not deny the bleakness and the profound loss, emptiness and silence on Holy Saturday. There was nothing more humanity could do. We came to the end of the line, to the end of the rope. It is in Holy Saturday that we live in silence.

Susan Palo Cherwein has written this prose poem, “God is in Silence.”

In the emptiness, God is.

In the darkness, God is.

In the silence, God is.

When the psalmist cried out form the pit,

God was already there.

When we cry out from the deep night,

God is already there.

When the silence is roaring in our minds,

God is there.

For when we are emptied of our paltry projects and goals,

When our grandiose and prideful accomplishments run aground in darkness,

When even our incessant mental chatter ceases in despair,

God is revealed in silence

Whither can we flee from God’s presence?

God is.

In the silence and the emptiness in this second day of the Christian Story, the Holy still resides.  The writer of Lamentations writes, “But this I call to mind.” There is that “Divine BUT.”  “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, therefore I will hope in him.”

Even on Holy Saturday when we spiritually journey into that place of gloom and doom, where, if it is not our lot at this time, it is the lot of many people in the world this day, we can remember. We can call to mind that it is with God that there is hope. And even if a person does not have hope, when in the pits, it is still God who shows up in unexpected ways and with surprising people to keep rekindling the fires of faith and hope. We know that God is the One who keeps us, holds us, lifts us up, and always provides hope in our hopelessness. Enter into the experience of Holy Saturday acknowledging that the emptiness and the silence are part of our human experience, but it is never the last word. That last word comes tomorrow.

“God is in Silence” from Crossing: Meditations for Worship by Susan Palo Cherwien–Copyright © 2003 Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP) A division of MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc., St. Louis, MO. Used by permission.

“Widening the Welcome” Conference Presenters Make Important Trip to the White House

Rev. Alan Johnson and Rev. Craig Rennebohm of the UCC Mental Health Network and UCC Disability Ministries Board of Directors traveled to the White House to meet with President Obama and others during the White House Conference on Mental Health. As a UCC representative to the White House Conference on Mental Health, Rev. Johnson was encouraged to join with the newly formed UCC Mental Health Network to help reduce stigma around mental illness. Rev. Johnson has long been involved with the leadership of the Widening the Welcome Conferences. Both Rev. Johnson and Rev. Rennebohm will be continuing their work to reduce the stigma of mental illness within our churches and wider culture by presenting workshops at the upcoming fourth “Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for ALL” Conference.

There’s still time to register for the one day Widening the Welcome Conference, June 27th in Long Beach, CA. Click here for Widening the Welcome Brochure and Registration

The Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroder, Founder Mental Health Ministries, will be one of two keynote speakers at Widening the Welcome. We’d love to have your congregation join the UCC movement of inclusion of people of varying disabilities, apparent and unapparent, including those with mental health challenges.  Please, if at all possible, have a member of your congregation attend the Widening the Welcome Conference so together we can continue to extend God’s extravagant welcome to all people.

Watch Alan’s trip to the White House for this momentous occasion: http://youtu.be/i0zbJI9rQEU

Submitted by Rev. Alan Johnson; edited by Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas

A Joyful Summary

A Joyful Summary of the Newly Reconstituted United Church of Christ Mental Illness Network (UCC-MIN)

October 2, 2009

At the recent Pathways to Promise Interfaith Summit Conference on Mental Illness from Sept. 29-October 1, 2009 in Belleville, IL, the UCC MIN has been renewed. A new Steering Committee was formed and the new Chair of the Network is Alan Johnson.

The program highlights for me, said Alan, were the presentation by Dr. Ken Thompson, the medical director of the Center for Mental Health Services, the personal testimony by the Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman, the interim conference minister of the UCC Southern California, Nevada Conference, and the training by the Rev. Craig Rennebohm. Ken lifted up the significance of clergy gatherings as well as the importance of offering a spiritual home that address the needs of people who are living with mental illness. Faith communities provide a structure of belonging that provide social inclusion in a society that breeds a cycle of exclusion, he said. Jane spoke compellingly, compassionately, and clearly about ways to embrace everyone who is living with depression, especially clergy. Craig gave an on the spot training on companioning.

Three hours were given to envision the next steps of the UCC MIN and how we might implement them.
First, we edited a Covenant Statement drafted by Craig. It names the intent of the UCC MIN and invites participation by all the setting of the church. Our intent is to have at least 10% of our UCC membership to sign onto this covenant by General Synod, 2011.
Second, we spelled out the structure for developing and expanding our communications. That includes the MIN website, a link with the UCC Justice and Witness as well as the Local Church Ministry. We talked about our own Facebook as well as joining the UCC My Space.
Third, we envisioned a National Conference on Mental Illness in the fall of next year, 2010. We acknowledged it was eleven years ago that General Synod voted “Calling the People of God to Justice for Persons with Serious ‘Mental’ Illnesses (Brain Disorders,) and we still have much more work to do! Very tentatively we heard one suggestion of a title: Our Churches Widen the Welcome: For all who are affected by Mental Illness/Brain Disorders and those who want to know more! One suggested site is Denver due to the strong connection with two congregations in particular that are involved in this area of ministry as well as the Denver Mental Health Center that is working strongly in the area of spirituality and mental illness/recovery.
Fourth, the new Steering Committee was formed by acclamation!
Fifth, we affirmed the faithful and long-standing work of the UCC MIN in particular through the leadership of Bob Dell, Craig Rennebohm and Norma Mengel.
Sixth, we thanked the UCC LCM and the UCC Disabilities Ministry for their financial support over these years and look forward to the continued connection with JW. We thanked Barbara Baylor for her presence and participation though JW.
Seventh, throughout the three-day conference we continued to wrestle with the language we use about this area. Mental Illness and/or Mental Health and/or Brain Disorders; Wellness, Healing and Recovery; suffering and/or the gifts; are these “illnesses” disabilities? We are all trying to find language that is appropriate and inclusive, and is particular in that it describes how things are as well as being compassionate.

We are off and running with the Holy Spirit’s energy and the impetus of our passion we are ready to re-engage the UCC in mental illness/brain disorder issues and concerns. More will come. However, in the meantime, you are invited to get in touch with Alan Johnson with your thoughts, reflections, questions, and interest. (revalan2004@comcast.net)

Save the Date, Widening the Welcome 2010

This content was part of the post about the Mental Illness Network until it was made it own post on January 4, 2014.

SAVE THE DATE
September 23-26, 2010
forThe 2010 UCC National Gathering in St. Louis

Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for All

Your congregation is a people that is called to be a welcoming community. In Romans we read, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:7, 13. Welcome embraces the involvement of everyone, including people who have been touched by or have experienced a mental illness/brain disorder and/or a disability, apparent or unapparent. Sponsored by the United Church of Christ (UCC) Disabilities Ministries and the UCC Mental Illness Network, the purposes of this Conference are:

i. to educate about mental illnesses/brain disorders and disabilities;
ii. to learn how to develop Mental Health Ministries and A2A Covenants in your congregation;
iii. to share best practices by telling stories;
iv. to network, staying in touch with each other and learn from each other;
v. to offer spiritual support group experiences;
vi. to worship and offer devotions;
vii. to wrestle the words and actions for the UCC MIN Covenant;
viii. to plan activities around UCC Synod, including the Covenant; and
ix. to work toward encouraging every UCC congregation to be committed to compassionate action and widening the welcome for all.

This National Gathering will be hosted by the UCC Mental Illness Network (MIN) and UCC Disabilities Ministries (DM). This Conference will be held Thursday, September 23-Sunday, September 26, 2010. It will be in St. Louis. This gathering is for clergy, consumers, laity, families, and mental health professionals.

So far the speakers include Dr. Nancy Kehoe, a nun and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, author of “Wrestling with our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness, and the Journey to Wholeness” Dr. David Greenhaw, President of Eden Theological Seminary, the Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman and the Rev. Bob Molsberry, UCC Conference Ministers, the Rev. Jeanne Tyler with the UCC DM, Mr. Jeffrey Pollack Esq., Attorney in Cleveland, the Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm, author of “Souls in the Hands of a Tender God”, and the Rev. Alan Johnson, author of “Encounters at the Counter: What Congregations can learn about Hospitality from Business”.

For more details and information, email Alan Johnson, Chair of the UCC MIN, revalan2004@comcast.net

 

Invitation to Widening the Welcome 2010

This was part of the post about the Mental Illness Network until it was made its own post on January 4, 2014.

April 22, 2010

You are Invited to Join Others to Support The UCC Mental Illness Network and the UCC Disabilities Ministry National 2010 Conference “Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for All”

Faith Communities are called to be a welcoming communities. In Romans we read, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:7, 13. Welcome embraces the involvement of everyone, including people who have been touched by or have experienced a mental illness/brain disorder and/or a disability, apparent or unapparent.

This first National Conference will be held in St. Louis, at the Drury Inn, on September 23-26, 2010. This Conference is for clergy, consumers, laity, families, and mental health professionals. The purposes are:

  • to educate about mental illnesses/brain disorders and disabilities;
  • to learn how to develop Mental Health Ministries and A2A Covenants in your congregation;
  • to share best practices by telling stories;
  • to network, staying in touch with each other and learn from each other;
  • to offer spiritual support group experiences, to worship and offer devotions;
  • to plan activities around UCC Synod; and
  • to work toward encouraging every faith congregation to be committed to compassionate action and widening the welcome for all.

As a financial supporter of this Conference you will be taking a step in this new frontier of inclusion for all. Many people are marginalized in our society because of their mental illness/brain disorders or disability/impairment. You will be among those who will be voicing and acting on your commitment to be a more whole and strengthened faith community.

The speakers include Dr. Nancy Kehoe, a nun and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, author of “Wrestling with our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness, and the Journey to Wholeness”, Dr. Debbie Creamer, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, author of “Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities”,
Dr. David Greenhaw, President of Eden Theological Seminary, the Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman and the Rev. Bob Molsberry, author of “Blindsided by Grace”, UCC Conference Ministers, the Rev. Jeanne Tyler with the UCC DM, Mr. Jeffrey Pollock Esq., Attorney in Cleveland, the Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm, author of “Souls in the Hands of a Tender God”, and the Rev. Alan Johnson, author of “Encounters at the Counter: What Congregations can learn about Hospitality from Business”. There will be Worship, Workshops, Panels, Videos, Display Tables and opportunities to share in small groups.

We, the Planning Team, ask for you to support this Conference not only with your prayers but also with a financial donation. You and/or your congregation would be listed on the Conference Program in any of these categories. We would also introduce you at the Conference, if you are present.

  • Leader: ($1,000 and more)
  • Advocate: ($500-$900)
  • Sponsor: ($100-$400)

Your check can be made payable to Conference Office and sent to:
Summit Meetings, Inc., 90 Madison Street, Suite 403, Denver, CO 80206.
For more details and information, email Alan Johnson, Chair of the UCC MIN, revalan2004@comcast.net

 

A Joyful Summary

This content was originally part of the post about the Mental Illness Network; which has become the Mental Health Network. This information became its own post on January 4, 2014.

A Joyful Summary

A Joyful Summary of the Newly Reconstituted United Church of Christ Mental Illness Network (UCC-MIN)
October 2, 2009

At the recent Pathways to Promise Interfaith Summit Conference on Mental Illness from Sept. 29-October 1, 2009 in Belleville, IL, the UCC MIN has been renewed. A new Steering Committee was formed and the new Chair of the Network is Alan Johnson.

“The program highlights for me,” said Alan, “were the presentation by Dr. Ken Thompson, the medical director of the Center for Mental Health Services, the personal testimony by the Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman, the interim conference minister of the UCC Southern California, Nevada Conference, and the training by the Rev. Craig Rennebohm. ” Ken lifted up the significance of clergy gatherings as well as the importance of offering a spiritual home that address the needs of people who are living with mental illness”. Faith communities provide a structure of belonging that provide social inclusion in a society that breeds a cycle of exclusion,” he said. Jane spoke compellingly, compassionately, and clearly about ways to embrace everyone who is living with depression, especially clergy. Craig gave an on the spot training on companioning.

Three hours were given to envision the next steps of the UCC MIN and how we might implement them.
First, we edited a Covenant Statement drafted by Craig. It names the intent of the UCC MIN and invites participation by all the setting of the church. Our intent is to have at least 10% of our UCC membership to sign onto this covenant by General Synod, 2011.
Second, we spelled out the structure for developing and expanding our communications. That includes the MIN website, a link with the UCC Justice and Witness as well as the Local Church Ministry. We talked about our own Facebook as well as joining the UCC My Space.
Third, we envisioned a National Conference on Mental Illness in the fall of next year, 2010. We acknowledged it was eleven years ago that General Synod voted “Calling the People of God to Justice for Persons with Serious Mental Illnesses (Brain Disorders,)” and we still have much more work to do! Very tentatively we heard one suggestion of a title: “Our Churches Widen the Welcome: For all who are affected by Mental Illness/Brain Disorders and those who want to know more!” One suggested site is Denver due to the strong connection with two congregations in particular that are involved in this area of ministry as well as the Denver Mental Health Center that is working strongly in the area of spirituality and mental illness/recovery.
Fourth, the new Steering Committee was formed by acclamation!
Fifth, we affirmed the faithful and long-standing work of the UCC MIN in particular through the leadership of Bob Dell, Craig Rennebohm and Norma Mengel.
Sixth, we thanked the UCC LCM and the UCC Disabilities Ministry for their financial support over these years and look forward to the continued connection with JW. We thanked Barbara Baylor for her presence and participation though JW.
Seventh, throughout the three-day conference we continued to wrestle with the language we use about this area. Mental Illness and/or Mental Health and/or Brain Disorders; Wellness, Healing and Recovery; suffering and/or the gifts; are these “illnesses” disabilities? We are all trying to find language that is appropriate and inclusive, and is particular in that it describes how things are as well as being compassionate.

We are off and running  with the Holy Spirit’s energy and the impetus of our passion we are ready to re-engage the UCC in mental illness/brain disorder issues and concerns. More will come. However, in the meantime, you are invited to get in touch with Alan Johnson with your thoughts, reflections, questions, and interest. (revalan2004@comcast.net)