Did you know that our congregation voted last spring to become a WISE church? WISE is Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged to all those who enter FCC’s doors, regardless of their physical, cognitive, or mental challenges. https://mhn-ucc.org/becoming-wise/

Drop by the Mental Health Awareness table any Sunday in May, taking note of our new, attractive Mental Health Awareness banner that Stephanie Lonergan designed. Pick up a copy of the WISE covenant that describes FCC’s aspiration to become ever more accepting of others.

Consider donning those walking shoes and joining the NAMI 5K walk on Saturday, May 16 at noon at Island Park in Springfield. Register for the walk at website: https://namiwalks.org/lanecounty. NAMI Lane County (National Association for Mental Illness) is an education and advocacy nonprofit that provides peer-to-peer support services and family-to-family education. The NAMI walk is a fun-filled family event with dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, face painting, and more.

Please join us on Sunday May 17 for a special program on Youth and Mental Health with Tara Rolstad. She comes to us with both professional expertise and lived experience as a parent, and has a special interest in educating faith communities. Check out Tara’s website for more information at https://tararolstad.com. Attendees will need to sign up for this event to make sure we have enough food for the light lunch we will serve.

This program is dedicated to Jayden Parker, grandchild of Debbie and Peter Cadigan and adult child of Katie Cadigan.

On Wednesday, May 27, after our Wednesday Night Connections meal, three FCC members who are mental health professionals—Janet Taylor, Scott Pengelly, and Catricia Mayhue—will participate in a panel on how professionals can help people with anxiety and depression—conditions that effect 20% of a congregation at any given time. Joining them will be Jennifer McLean, Executive Director of NAMI. Come learn how we can help members of our church family who are struggling with mental health challenges.

Deena Wolfe, chaplain at Peace Health Riverbend Medical Center and FCC member, will help us commemorate Mental Health Sunday on May 31 with a special sermon on mental health. The service will also include songs and prayers of hope and support.

The Mental Health Awareness team also gives a shout out to the Adult Education and Spirituality Committee’s Sacred Emotions program, as well as Pastor Eric’s Four Bows series, both offering practices and ways of thinking that allow us to live more fully