“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me.” Matthew 10:40

On Sunday, March 2, FCC board moderator Laurie Swanson Gribskov asked the congregation to cast votes to indicate whether FCC should adopt a WISE covenant. We are grateful to those who attended and offered feedback at the all church meeting. A majority of 84 percent voted affirmatively to adopt the WISE designation. In general, UCC covenants are agreements made between church members and God that signify an aspirational commitment about how we will live together as a faith community.

UCC’s Mental Health Network adopted the WISE acronym, which refers to a commitment to be a Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged faith community to those who live with mental and/or neurodiverse health challenges. FCC’s Social Justice & Witness’s Mental Health Awareness Work Group submitted the draft covenant.

It’s much like FCC’s Open and Affirming covenant stating that people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions are welcome into our community of faith. Covenants are promises that describe how we want to live our values: treating all who enter our doors with love, compassion, and respect, as Jesus did.

Looking ahead, the Mental Health Awareness Work Group is promoting several activities and programs in May, which is UCC’s designated Mental Health Awareness Month. Sunday, May 4 is the start date, with FCC member and longtime mental health therapist Eric Lackie offering the sermon. Throughout the month you will:

• hear weekly Mission Moments with a mental health focus during the worship hour,
• have the chance to browse educational materials and learn about Mental Health Awareness book groups,
• listen to a panel of FCC’s mental health professionals,
• fill in a survey letting us know what mental/emotional/neurodiverse health topics you would like to learn about,
• take an opportunity to learn about FCC member’s Rob and Laura Illig’s new app that promises to deepen social connections,
• and last but not least, find out about the re-birth of FCC’s beloved Dinner (or breakfast or lunch) for Eight groups to help enhance community and reduce isolation. Many in our church family have told us that they have missed this beloved FCC activity