May 2018 WISE update

WISE Update: At Webster UCC we are on a journey to become WISE – Welcoming and Inclusive to those with brain disorders or mental illness, Supportive of them and their families, and Engaged in fighting the stigma of mental illness. The WISE team has a number of initiatives underway to help this become our way of being. We have already seen benefit from just opening up the conversation: 

• one congregation member reached out for support when a family member was hospitalized for a mental-health related issue. 
• another member shared with a few other church members that they were experiencing depression - a fact that they had previously not been comfortable mentioning to anyone 
• yet another member reached out to the WISE team for a list of community resources to provide to a family member who was struggling. 

These examples illustrate the importance and value of WISE. Our goal is for each person in our congregation to feel that they can bring their whole self here, and be supported without judgement. On May 20 we will observe Mental Health Sunday with services focusing on mental wellness. We will also be conducting a survey to get input on the WISE initiative - it will be available both in hard copy and electronically. Look for the announcement soon, and please participate!