Dear Beloved,

How is it with your being? I often feel like that is a very complex question because there are so many facets and aspects of each of us, but I want to share one experience my being has had lately. I have told several people that my heart in constantly feeling like it is going to bubble over with gratitude. I am so grateful for much and one of the blessings for which I give thanks is the way the Spirit is at work within Friedens United Church of Christ as a community of people seeking to follow Jesus and his way of grace, love, and welcome.     

There are countless ways the Spirit is at work! The one that I want to give thanks about today is Friedens new mental health team. From the time that I was two, I knew that I wanted to be a mom and work with kids. I’m grateful that my church family nurtured this hope and dream by letting me help with children who were younger than me when I was eight (or at least that is how my childhood self experienced it). At age 5, I decided that I wanted to be a child psychologist when I grew up. That plan lasted until my junior year in high school when a math class led me to look for a different path. When I learned that I could work in the area of mental health as an occupational therapist, that became my path. Different experiences throughout my life have continued to keep mental health and wellness central in my heart. I’m excited and grateful that early this winter the Lifelong Spiritual Formation Ministry Team felt like it was time for Friedens to be even more intentional in raising awareness about mental health concerns, in reaching out to help people learn more about mental health services and resources, and in advocating for access and equity. The team is still forming and developing next steps, so if you have ideas or questions, please feel free to let us know. We are grateful that we have already been able to offer a few programs this year to help us continue to learn and grow. We hope you’ll participate in and/or spread the word about a wonderful upcoming opportunity to join Melissa Atlas for a program after the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, April 23 called The Whole Truth: Beyond “Just Say No.” This will be a fun, open, and positive conversation about commonly used substances. Melissa is a talented and experienced mental health professional, leader, and advocate in our community. We hope you’ll share this good news with others! 

I thank God for the whole you! We are called to love God with our whole heart, mind, body, and soul. We are called to love one another as we love ourselves. I pray for wellness and shalom of heart, body, mind, and soul for each and all of God’s beloved children. May you know you are precious! You are not alone. God is with us and offers us communities of care. 

 With hope for the journey together in the hands of our Good Shepherd,

  Sarah

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  (Matthew 22:36-40)