Title: May focus is on mental illness, older adults for Church of the Brethren Subject: Church of the Brethren Newsline Date: March 27, 2006 From: Church of the Brethren News Services Contact: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford V: 847/742-5100 F: 847/742-6103 E-MAIL: _CoBNews@AOL.Com_ (mailto:CoBNews@AOL.Com)
MAY FOCUS ON MENTAL ILLNESS, OLDER ADULT MINISTRY IS PROMOTED TO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN CONGREGATIONS
March 27, 2006 (Elgin, IL) -- Church of the Brethren congregations are invited to consider "Offering Hope: The Church's Role with Mental Illness" on Health Promotion Sunday, May 21, in a special emphasis by the Association of Brethren Caregivers.
The Older Adult Ministry of the association also is encouraging congregations to use the month of May as a time to recognize and provide ministry about older adults.
A special Sunday emphasis on health is sponsored each year by the Association of Brethren Caregivers. "By offering the hope and love of God, congregations can walk with families often isolated by the nature of mental illness--an illness that affects one of every four families," the association said in a release. "Many times families living with mental or emotional illnesses are unable to express their pain, sorrow, and spiritual needs. Sometimes, congregations unwittingly perpetuate stigmas associated with mental illness and further silence those who need compassionate care, acceptance, and understanding."
Health Promotion Sunday resources provide congregations with information about mental illness and the church's unique role of offering help to individuals and families. They are available at _www.brethren-caregivers.org_ (http://www.brethren-caregivers.org) . Congregational leaders can request a printed version of the resources at no charge by calling the offices of Association of Brethren Caregivers at 800-323-8039.
Several new resources are also available at the website to help congregations consider older adult ministry in worship and Sunday school during May. Older Adult Month helps congregations recognize aging as a natural part of living, and affirm the worth of people in all stages of development and at all functional levels, the association said. The resources explore issues of loss, empathy, and aging, and were created by members of the Older Adult Ministry Cabinet. A series of reflections provides a month-long study for discussion groups. For more information about Older Adult Ministry, contact Scott Douglas at 800-323-8039.
The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts about 130,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nigeria.
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For more information contact:
Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Director of News Services Church of the Brethren General Board 1451 Dundee Ave. Elgin, IL 60120 847-742-5100 ext. 260 _cbrumbaugh-cayford_gb@brethren.org_ (mailto:cbrumbaugh-cayford_gb@brethren.org)
***************************************************************** The Church of the Brethren Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. To receive Newsline by e-mail, write _cobnews@aol.com_ (mailto:cobnews@aol.com) or call 800-323-8039 ext. 260.