wfn.org | Lutheran Network on Mental Illness Renews Dedication

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 13, 2004

Lutheran Network on Mental Illness Renews Dedication
04-097-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran Network on Mental
Illness/Brain Disorders (LNMI) renewed its relationship with the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod, revisited some of its accomplishments and
made key decisions about its future work.  Network leaders met
here April 29-May 2.
     The Rev. Stewart D. Govig, LNMI chair and retired pastor of
the ELCA, Tacoma, Wash., said the two churches continue to show a
mutual interest in their congregations assisting their members
who are affected by serious mental illness.  He said that
interest shows itself through the involvement of both churches in
the network.
     "The group has ongoing joint projects like the All-Lutheran
Candlelighting for Mental Illness, and it's beginning new joint
projects," said the Rev. Lisa T. Cleaver, director for disability
ministries and deaf ministry, ELCA Division for Church in
Society.  One of the new projects is a brochure that describes
the work of LNMI, what "mental illness" is -- the signs and
symptoms -- and the church's role, she said.
     The past eight Octobers, LNMI has provided a candle-lighting
liturgy for Lutheran congregations across the United States and
Caribbean to draw attention to Mental Illness Awareness Month.
The rite, which could be used any month of the year, included a
short litany of prayers for people living with mental illness and
their families.
     LNMI developed educational workshops for parish nurses in
both church bodies, Cleaver said.  The network is working on
workshops for Lutheran seminaries and for the triennial gathering
of Women of the ELCA, she said.
     Jim Gerhard, network member, San Antonio, Texas, presented a
history of LNMI -- a "rearview" look at the network's
accomplishments.
     W. Paul Hunter, network member and assistant to the bishop,
ELCA Allegheny Synod, Altoona, Pa., summarized possible "steps to
take in the future."  Govig said Hunter's report "defined our
intentions, our purposes."
     "We want to educate clergy.  We want to educate
congregations.	But what does that mean?  How does that take
place?	What's the content of that?" Govig said.  "We are still
searching," he said.
     Govig analyzed the results of a research project he
conducted among Lutheran pastors and "how they respond to
circumstances of serious mental illness among members of their
congregations."
     "Lutheran pastors learn more from family members affected by
mental illness than from anywhere else," Govig said, such as from
seminary courses or special education events.
     Govig is the author of "In the Shadow of Our Steeples:
Pastoral Presence for Families Coping with Mental Illness" and
"Souls Are Made of Endurance: Surviving Mental Illness in the
Family."
     The Rev. Bob Dell, a pastor of the United Church of Christ,
Sandwich, Ill., talked with the network about possible
partnerships beyond the Lutheran churches.  He chairs the board
of Pathways to Promise: Interfaith Ministries and Prolonged
Mental Illness, St. Louis, a resource center offering information
to promote ministry with people with mental illness and their
families.
     The Rev. John Fale, director of chaplaincy, pastoral
counseling and clinical education, LCMS World Relief and Human
Care, Saint Louis, is liaison to the network for the Missouri
Synod.	Other LCMS members are the Rev. Barton Gray and Laura
Gray, Alpena, Mich., and Linda Preus, St. Louis.
     In addition to Cleaver, Gerhard, Govig and Hunter, ELCA
members of the network are Jane Carlson, Westlake, Ohio, and
Laura Rorem, Juneau, Alaska.  Josselyn Bennett, director for
education and program resources, ELCA Division for Church in
Society, oversees the ELCA's relationship with the network.
     LNMI planned its next meeting for May 2005 in St. Louis.
-- -- --
     Information about the Lutheran Network on Mental
Illness/Brain Disorders is at
http://www.elca.org/dcs/epr/disability/mentalillness.html on the
disability ministries' Web pages of the ELCA Division for Church
in Society.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news