Upon
the spouse’s fourth hospitalization, a LCSW gave her husband a brochure about NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally
Ill). That summer, he joined the newly formed NAMI-Affiliate in his area.
In
the spring, that affiliate and the one in a nearby county worked together in offering the Family-to-Family Class for family
and friends of the mentally ill. When they covered Advocacy in class, he thought of writing a resolution to the Annual Conference
of The United Methodist Church in his state. Both clergy and laity gather yearly during in June to make various decisions.
Until
then, he had never written a resolution on mental health. Neither had he ever seen such a resolution in almost 20 years of
pastoral ministry.
His
very first two whereas statement opened the resolution with “Jesus came preaching, teaching, and healing.
. . continues through the Church.” Then he drew from the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. Among the many other
strong points of his ministry, he wrote a sound book on home health remedies; he started dispensaries of medicines to the
poor who were being charged way too much; he advocated for better hospital conditions; and his view of Christian living contributes
to spiritual, physical and mental health.
He
also mentioned the prayer service for healing and wholeness in our new United Methodist Hymnal. From there, he wrote concerning
the Social Principles related to mental health, advocacy, the role of government in health care, and the right of all persons
to have equal access to health care.
All
of these details demonstrate how to do church based advocacy from both a biblical and a denominational perspective. Then include
some whereas statements about changes in the state mental health plan and what congress has yet to do about parity. From there
include some statements about NAMI. Be sure to mention Shirley H. Strobel's Creating a Circle
of Caring: the Church and the Mentally Ill.
The
therefore let is be resolved part of a resolution to a church body like his needs to include a call for whatever group in
the church addresses social concerns to advocate on both the state and national level. If you are a United Methodist, request
that the District Superintendent ask each church about their activity and plans for ministry in the area of mental health.
Also, ask your denominational leadership to offer mental health and the church workshops. Last but not least, encourage your
denomination to use Shirely’s book as well as the many other resources that NAMI national
printed in the recent Advocate. Furthermore, once your resolution passes like his did, then stay in touch with the
appropriate people to keep up on their follow through.
Two
years later, he wrote two more resolutions for his Annual Conference. Actually, he modified both of these from resolutions
shared on methvision. It is a United Methodist e-mail group focused on mental health and the church.
Your
advocacy for mental health within the church will go much further if you can find a group like methvision
where you can support and resource each other. Also, maybe you are the person to start one if it does not already exist.
Both of his resolutions came originally from Margaret Ann in VA
via methvision with her permission to use them in our own areas. The first one called for lifting up mental illness concerns in worship services in October; publicizing mental health
resource information in church newsletters; and Utilize the video resource “Creating Caring Congregations” during
the year. In addition, we resolved that the NC United Methodist Children’s Home host a conference on mental illness,
calling together all pastors and laity in the conference currently involved in mental health ministries; public or private
care; and policy and financing. Further, that the Secretary of Human Services Office of North Carolina be invited to participate.
Margaret
Ann wrote the second resolution for the quarterly meeting of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church which met
this past spring. Due to a technicality, it never reached the floor for a vote. It asked for every United Methodist Conference
to establish a conference coordinator of mental health ministries. The Virginia Conference created this position in 1995 in
response to the 1992 General Conference’s call for churches to be caring congregations for the mentally ill and their
families. To read more about this and what they have done visit www.vaumc.org/index.cfm/fa/content.view/menuID/888.htm.
When
he learned of Margaret Ann’s petition to the UMC ‘s General Conference failing to make
it to the floor, he modified it for the Annual Conference of the UMC in his state. This resolution included a detailed description
of what a conference coordinator of mental health ministries does.
Because
they raise their Conference budget one year and spend it the next, he requested the salary for this position to be included
in the budget they will vote on June 2005 so this new position can be in place by 2007.
Also,
instead of presenting these two successful resolutions by himself, he sent them to his colleagues on the Conference Board
of Church and Society. They were glad to help.
See
these resolutions in more detail @
A Resolution
on the Church's ministry to the mentally ill and their families. Adopted by the 2002 NC Annual Conference of The United Methodist
Church.
Mental Illness Awareness
Resolution Adopted by the 2004 NC Annual Conference
of The United Methodist Church.
Resolution for a Conference
Coordinator of Mental Health Ministries Referred to Spiritual Formation
& Leadership Development Circle – June 12, 2004 by the North Carolina
Conference of The United Methodist Church to be brought back with a line item in the 2006 budget for spending in 2007.
Motion for A
Task Force on Churches and Mental Health. This
effort rescued the earlier resolution from being rejected by the Spiritual Formation and Leadership Circle.
A Call to the Laity and Clergy about N.C. Mental Health Reform Adopted
by the 2007 NC Annual Conference of The United Methodist
Church
Since 12/15/04
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