Pastors E-Letter 11/13/20
“I no longer attend church. I no longer feel my family is welcome.” I heard these troubling words many times in the 1980s while doing research for my doctoral dissertation. At the time I was interviewing families with mentally ill relatives. As someone who had devoted much of his life to church ministry, I was appalled to hear their stories. Some had given up on church because of the way their mentally ill loved ones had been stigmatized by members and even by pastors. They told me horrible stories of hearing sermons in which mental illnesses were attributed to and equated with sin and evil (They are not. Mental illnesses are no-fault brain chemistry conditions.). They shared the pain of being told their loved ones were no longer welcomed because other church members worried mental illness might be contagious (It is not). When I remember these tragic events today, I am reminded of how truly blessed I am to be a part of Suntree UMC, a congregation where everyone is welcome and includes in its vision and mission the decision to love people with mental health conditions.
In 2016-2017 Suntree UMC developed a 4D Vision Plan. Most of our members know our vision statement by heart: “Our vision is to love God, love each other, and love our neighbors in extraordinary ways.” As we explored the implications of that vision in our planning, we identified mental health as one of our target areas and included this goal:
“Begin a program of education and training to raise awareness about mental health issues in our community. Partner with local agencies to provide training and resources to the church and community regarding mental health issues.”
In order to implement this objective, we established a Mental Health Task Force and have celebrated a Mental Health Sunday each Fall along with a major mental health awareness event. In 2019, we had a well attended Mental Health Fair in our dining room and Worship Center. Due to COVID 19, our 2020 Mental Health Fair is a virtual event using Zoom. This year’s event is especially timely as mental health has been one of the casualties of the pandemic. The past few months have been difficult times for all of us, especially for those who have prior mental health conditions, and also for those who provide care for persons who are mentally and emotionally challenged.
During a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) survey taken in June of 2020, 40.9% of respondents reported adverse mental or behavioral health conditions. This study revealed a major spike in mental health conditions since the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic, including increased anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation, among both youth and adults. When this COVID related increase in mental health conditions is added to the reality (according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness) 1 in 5 adults experience a mental illness each year, there is obvious reason for alarm.
In response to these difficult times, the 2020 Virtual Mental Health Fair has a distinguished lineup of speakers, will address a wide range of mental health problems, provide useful information for those who need help, share awareness of resources, identify service gaps, and underscore the need for improved services for persons with mental health conditions in Brevard County. (For more information and to register go to www.suntreeumc.org or call the church office.)
Not only are some churches insensitive and unloving when it comes to mental health conditions, sadly, they miss the beauty and emotional/spiritual healing available in the many mental health related passages found in Scripture. One of my favorites is Philippians 4:4-8. I encourage you, as this pandemic continues to rage, to read and meditate on this text, and to pray for our Mental Health Sunday and Virtual Fair on November 15.
Peace and Blessings,
John Baggett