May is Mental Health Awareness month, and we will observe Mental Health Sunday this Sunday. First Christian seeks to be a support to those facing mental health challenges. We started the journey of what that means some years ago and continue to learn how we as a faith community can care, empathize, love, support, and show compassion to those in our congregation, families, circle of friends, and ourselves. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we do not. Thus, we continue the journey together, learning from one another and seeking opportunities for further education and understanding. Focusing on mental health in worship reminds us that God accompanies us in every aspect of our life experience. God is with us when we are well and healthy. God is with us when we struggle. God loves us at every moment and in every circumstance. As we worship together, we affirm God’s welcome of each and every one of us just as we are and the truth that we can rest in God’s presence.
May is also Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month. For the next weeks, the weekly email will include resources for learning in the “beloved community” section in the form of articles, videos, and other formats. I hope you are able to read or view some of them as we continue our work to become an anti-racist people and live into the beloved community.
Blessings,
