one-lamb-initiative

Emily Wingfield – PMAD

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:26:06 GMT

Emily Wingfield – PMAD

PRUMC members Mace Hall and Emily Wingfield have an in-depth and personal conversation about PMAD – Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Emily shares the story of her u nexpected battle with severe PMAD, and how one in seven new mothers suffer. Mace and Emily talk about risk factors, the signs, and how unforeseen complications can trigger PMAD.

Dr. John Constantino, Chief Director of Behavioral and Mental Health talks about the mental health challenges affecting children and the ways CHOA is addressing these issues.

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:37:42 GMT

Dr. John Constantino, Chief. Behavioral and Mental Health Director at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, talks about the mental health challenges affecting our children and what CHOA is doing to address and improve mental health care for our most vulnerable.

Dr. John Constantino is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of behavioral and mental health conditions of children and adolescents. Dr. Constantino received his medical education at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and completed a five-year combined residency in Pediatrics, General Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

After completing his training, Dr. Constantino returned to the Washington University School of Medicine to develop a clinical and scientific program focused on understanding genetic and environmental influences on disorders of social development in childhood and their implications for treatment and preventive intervention. His Social Developmental Studies Laboratory was continuously federally-funded for 25 years by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As one of the leading child psychiatrists in the country, Dr. Constantino’s holistic approach to mental health has had an industry-wide impact, and his published research is some of the most highly cited in the field.

As Chief of Behavioral and Mental Health and Liz and Frank Blake Chair for Children’s Behavioral and Mental Health, Dr. Constantino seeks to innovate behavioral health practice , resolve fragmentation in the delivery of care, enhance access to interventions of proven benefit, and improve long-term mental health outcomes for children and adolescents throughout Georgia. Prior to joining Children’s, Dr. Constantino served as Psychiatrist-in-Chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, as well as the Blanche F. Ittleson Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he directed the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for the past 12 years.

In addition to providing patient care and serving in his leadership role at Children's, Dr. Constantino holds a faculty appointment with the Emory University School of Medicine as a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

This is for Parents of Graduating High School Seniors as Their Precious Teens Ready Themsleves and YOU to Launch Into the Next Chapter of Their Lives

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:50:27 GMT

The Transition from High School is Exciting but can also be Filled with Uncertainty, Anxiety and Fear. Below is Some Salient Advice.

This One’s for Parents of High School Seniors

This one’s for parents of high school seniors looking ahead to college. Or grandparents. Or aunts, uncles, and friends — anyone who cares about a college-bound senior in high school.

You’re in an exciting season. Acceptance letters are arriving. Decisions are being made. It feels like the culmination of 18 years of work — yours and theirs.

You are both on an intense emotional roller coaster. The anxiety of acceptances and the disappointment of rejections. But that’s not what I want to talk about here.

That struggle is often visible. We think we know what it looks like, and we tend to feel prepared for it.

I want to talk about something else here.

What No One Is Watching

Once your child is admitted to college, something shifts. Suddenly, you are both being courted. You are subject to an intense sales campaign. Schools roll out the red carpet — admitted-students weekends, receptions, swag, stickers, banners, and endless reminders of how special your child is and how much they “belong here” - all designed to convert your child from an “accepted student” to an “enrolled student.”

After a year of feeling like you were begging to get in from the outside, the emotional energy flips in the second semester of senior year. You hold the cards. It feels good. It’s fun.

Meanwhile back in high school, it’s award season. Senior nights. Banquets. Speeches. Trophies. Applause.

For the girls, bed-decorating parties. For the boys, fraternity rush has already started. And it’s all playing out publicly on social media.

Then the grad-party season. Calendars fill up fast. Choice dates are negotiated, and the gifts start pouring in from all the fans and supporters who have been on this journey with you. Your kid finally gets to put on the well-earned sweatshirt.

It feels good. It’s fun.

And behind all of this celebration, your child is being sold a very specific story:

You are about to have the best four years of your life!

We’ve told them that. We sincerely believe it, don't we? If only we could go back and do it all again!

But while all of this is happening outside them, something very different may be happening inside.

The Reality of the First Semester

In just a few months your child will leave the highly structured life you’ve curated for them — a day-to-day environment you still largely control.

They’re about to enter a world that is far less structured and far less supervised. Where no one will check if they go to class. No one will tell them where to be or when to be there. No one may notice if they’re drifting. They enter this world as legal adults, which means you are legally barred from most of the helicoptering and snowplowing you and they are accustomed to.

They’re entering a world saturated with alcohol and drugs — far beyond what most of us experienced in our day. Meanwhile, their brains are still years away from full development. The part responsible for planning, emotional regulation, delayed gratification, and rational decision-making? Yep, that part isn’t fully baked - it is literally biologically immature.

And perhaps most importantly, they will enter this new world without the friendship network they've navigated the past few years.

Even the highly socially skilled, outgoing kids — even the social stars — can feel deeply lonely for the first time in their lives. Even kids who pledge fraternities or join groups may suddenly have dozens of acquaintances but in their first semester have not yet made a single close friend.

Even kids who go to college with a lot of friends from high school may find those relationships turned upside down by dorm assignments, bid night, or just being in a different time and place.

But we did it. We survived. Maybe, but we did it in an entirely different world - one without social media overwhelming our yet undeveloped brains with every detail of every person from every corner of the world and every tragedy, aspiration, comparison set, and every dancing cat - all day, every minute of the day.

We’ve played a different reel for them. We recreate our “best of” memories, edited by decades of hindsight. When we talk about “the best four years of our lives,” we’re usually not remembering the first semester — before we met our lifelong friends, before we found our footing, before college eventually felt like home.

To learn more: go to www.mannysband.org

Rev. Mace Hall interviews Betsy Stephenson about her 22 year old son's suicide. Betsy rips the bandaid off the topic of suicide with her raw candor re: its affects on her, her family and the community

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:19:17 GMT

Suicide is a terrible, growing epidemic. Betsy Stephenson, author of Blackbird knows the horrible pain and shares her gripping grief in this very honest interview.

The only way to prevent suicide is to admit we have a tragic, enormous problem. Then, we go about the busyness of talking about suicide and learning how to support one another better shaking the stigma and, hopefully, save lives.

Book Review of Betsy Stephen's BLACKBIRD, a memoir about the loss of her college student son, Charlies, to suicide. With raw honesty, Betsy describes her deep grief

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 17:09:37 GMT

Review of Blackbird, a mother's candidly reflectsoss of her son to suicide beautifully written by Kim McCollam, a long-time Peachtree Road member

Blackbird

By Betsy Thibaut Stephenson

Review by Kim McCollam

Let me start with the simple fact that I did not want to read this book.

The subjects of suicide, depression, loss, and grief are gut wrenching.

It’s important, though, to read in order to more fully understand, to turn thoughts over and question them, to be equipped to have hard conversations, and to know how to better support anyone you love who wages war with depression or is experiencing deep grief.

Everyone should read this book!

And everyone should heed Betsy’s words, “Y’all. Its Ok to say the word suicide. Discussing it openly chips away at its mystery and secrets, which just might save a life.”

I could guess at the emotional toll that reading Blackbird would take on me, but this author, while being brutally honest, vulnerable and open, wisely crafted her story as a stream of consciousness in the form of brief snippets and with a pace that provided and encouraged natural stopping points to step back and absorb the important material without feeling overwhelmed. Betsy has given us all a gift by making her walk in grief so assessable.

Betsy lost her 22-year-old son, Charlie, to suicide. Charlie was a rising senior at TCU and took his life in his off-campus home’s bedroom, with the door closed. Close conversations with friends the day before were deep and meaningful, with Charlie offering great advice and support to a friend struggling with anxiety. He had booked tee times, purchased a plane ticket for a fun trip, talked by phone with family members during the week, and submitted his academic schedule for the upcoming semester. His last text to his mother was “I’m doing awesome! Love You. Good Night.”

Layered underneath this happy facade, though, was diagnosed depression. Depression changes thought patterns and leads to intense emotional and psychological pain, often described as unbearable. Sufferers may feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless, seeing suicide as the only way to end their suffering with the disease itself making it difficult to envision alternatives to their current distress.

Though the book focuses on Betsy’s story- the unraveling of the life she knew, the various coping mechanisms she reached for, the ways her “Charlie’s Angels” (friends and strangers at her side) helped her put one foot in front of the other, and her growth towards acceptance, one also finds that the struggles she’s experienced give way to hope and suggestions for others. While there are no magic solutions, prevention, intervention and demystification are all critical in her eyes. In her “Letter to Parents Like Me” she shares-

Don’t be afraid of uncomfortable conversations. Talking about mood and outlook are muscles one must exercise and help your child exercise. Normalizing these types of conversations builds stamina for the hard times.
Remember that depression is sneaky. When someone you love is at risk, you must stay on top of it, even when they say they feel better.
Remove even the smallest obstacles to receiving care. Don’t hesitate to take the reins and actively guide a depressed person toward treatment. The process of getting help can create a negative feedback loop that pushes a sick person lower. They need your help to get help.

In addition to shedding tears over her words, smiles formed at the corners of my lips at many remembrances and ways that Charlie lives on inside of this family who loved him so dearly. My lasting picture of this boy is one that was described of him on his campus with a Gingko leaf held in front of his smiling face. This picture was shared with the family after his death and after they had planted a tree over a bench at his school as a memorial to Charlie. The tree they had selected was a Gingko.

I finished Blackbird with a heavier heart, but also with clearer eyes. This book is not only a story of loss; it is a plea for awareness, conversation, and courage. It reminds us that depression often hides in plain sight and that speaking openly—asking hard questions and listening without fear—can save lives. Blackbird gives grief a voice and, in doing so, gives others permission to speak. Stephenson’s story is a powerful reminder that love does not end with loss, and that saying the word suicide, out loud and without fear, may be one of the most loving acts we can offer.

Guides for Mental & Emotional Well-being

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:58:47 GMT

PREPARING FOR WORLD MENTAL DAY:

10 DAYS OF GUIDES FOR MENTAL & EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

BY RON GREER

WORLD MENTAL HELTH DAY IS 10/10.

DAY 1: Forgive the Past, but Remember the Lessons

Jesus said he came that we “may have life, and have it abundantly.” That’s it. That’s what we’re after. A life that is mentally, emotionally, and spiritually abundant. So, on these next few pages we’ll look at ten markers on the path toward lives of fulfillment and well-being.

Here is the first:

Stop carrying regrets and guilt from another era of your life. Carrying that baggage can be the source of both anxiety and depression. As Jesus said, “Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

When it comes to an old remorse or an old emotional wound: Either bless it or address it.

Bless it. Some of those regrets can, ironically, bless your life and make you a better person. As it has been said, “Sometimes you win… sometimes you learn.” Transform those missteps into learning experiences making you a wiser person for the mistake. Think of the pain that event caused you as the tuition you paid for the education, the life lesson you received.

Either bless it… or address it. If the burden you are carrying is more of an open wound, then you have to address it. Find your way successfully to work it through. Come to the place where you can forgive yourself if it was self-inflicted or forgive the other if you were harmed. Find your way to clean the wound, dress it, and finally let it heal.

As you reflect on this today, of what do you need to let go… or to work through? Take a few moments, perhaps right now, and consider this question. By what issues are you burdened? Use those moments… thoughtfully, reflectively, prayerfully… to discern. From which of those old distressing issues are you now ready to move on?

DAY 2: Deal with Your Emotions Before You File Them Away

One of the origins of mild to moderate depression is from the repression of emotions. Something happens in the living of our lives that angers us, saddens us, in some way disturbs us. We don’t want to feel it, so we shove it down. And later… perhaps months, perhaps years… we wonder why we are depressed. We are depressed, sapped of life energy, from the unconscious task of keeping the lid on all those emotions that are still down there bubbling away.

Bring it up. Get it out. Give it a voice.

The way I’ve always said it is, “Repression brings depression; expression brings a resurrection” – a new life, a new day. But I like even better the words of a dear elderly lady who once said, “Well, I just figure when life gives you tribulations, the good Lord expects you to tribulate.”

So often I sit with those who have suffered a major loss, dealing with the depth of their grief. “Give it a voice,” I urge them.

Cry it out, talk it out, or write it out – for those who journal.

When something has disturbed you, has rocked your life, don’t bury it – deal with it. Acknowledge it. “You can’t heal what you don’t feel.” It may be a particularly difficult emotion for you… like grief or anger or the frustration of helplessness. Muster the courage.

Instead of pushing it down, keep it in your awareness, and find your best way to express it. Perhaps it will be simply to talk it out – with your best friend, your spouse, whoever is your go-to confidant. But give it a voice. Balance the emotional input with verbal output. Share it with someone you trust. Share it with someone who cares.

Tribulate!

DAY 3: Live with Gratitude

Often, we lose touch with all that we are and all with which we have been blessed. Then our fragile egos and old insecurities kick in, and we start to focus – no, obsess – on what we don’t have: ability, achievement, affluence, whatever. The result is anxiety, stress, and, yes, depression. We put ourselves down, and, in so doing, we bring o urselves down.

Social media then stirs the pot. As you might have noticed, it highlights nothing but the very pinnacle of everyone’s lives. We don’t see a lot of postings of folks doing yard work or reconciling their monthly bank statements. We only see the best of their lives as we live all of ours.

Let’s face it: it’s such a first world problem – but we live in the first world, and it is a problem. Many get increasingly down on themselves. So, it is no surprise their spirit and their mood are indeed down. What they need is a reality reset so they can again see the whole picture of their lives.

That is where gratitude comes in. Gratitude is the beginning of the answer. It is only the beginning, but it is an important beginning. The vast majority of us are blessed out of our minds. We just lose touch with it.

As we are consciously, intentionally grateful for the blessings in our lives…we intuitively recalibrate our perspectives.

We reset our attitudinal default position. We reframe how we see the lives we lead. If our perspective is truly one of gratitude… our focus is reset from the lives we don’t have to how truly blessed we are. And through the blessing we feel an unmistakable grace.

It’s interesting, the words “gratitude” and “grace” each come from the Latin “gratia.” When I am grateful, I experience grace.

Day 4: Be Generous

Generous with our time, our compassion, our kindness. Generosity is what Jesus taught. It’s what he lived. It’s who he was.

One morning, as I was getting in the car leaving for the office, Karen opened the back door and called out to me, “Ron, go be a ray of God’s light.” Can you imagine being sent off with that inspiration?

Well, her words to me are mine to you: Go be a ray of God’s light. Be generous. It is a hurting world out there. They need you.

I was waiting to mail my package at the Post Office. Finally, I was next. The customer ahead of me, however, asked every question that could have been asked about mailing a package – and with a tone less than courteous. Yet, she happened to have found the most gracious staff member in the postal system. Patient, kind, with no hint of impatience.

They finished, and I stepped up to the counter. “You were remarkably courteous to the lady ahead of me,” I said to him. I shall always remember his response. As he took my package, he said simply, “Well, you just never know what folks are going through.”

Be generous.

So, you may well ask, what does generosity have to do with our living abundantly? We are, after all, talking about our mental and emotional well-being. To be blunt: What’s in it for us?

Absolutely nothing. When we do it well, there is absolutely nothing in it for us… on the front end. We are totally focused on what’s in it for them. And when we are – and just ask anyone who is invested in a life of service – when we are caring for their needs we discover a life of meaning. It is the meaning that comes from truly making a difference. And we are then profoundly changed.

“What do I still lack?” asked the young man of Jesus. Only one thing… a generous spirit. And the scriptures record that, having just been given the winning number to the mental, emotional, and spiritual lottery, “he walked sadly away,” – for he was a man of wealth and power.

Be generous.

Day 5: Get More Sabbath Into Your Life

Be still. Be quiet. We tend to stay so busy. Remember the commandment about keeping the Sabbath holy? “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew “shabath” – from which our term “sabbatical” also comes – which simply means “to rest.”

Develop your Sabbaths, the times when you will intentionally rest. Spiritually, emotionally rest. Carve out your windows of time when you will turn it off, shut it down, put it away – not just everything electronic, but anything distracting. Clock out of responsibilities for a time.

Make it a spiritual time – be in the still, quiet presence of God’s own Spirit. I can’t imagine how one can thrive emotionally without thriving spiritually. They are just too intertwined. Have a spiritual life that is intimate and personal. Remember that faith is a relationship, not a set of beliefs. How can we have a life that thrives emotionally without the Spirit of God flowing through it?

The Psalmist wrote, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) The very passage that invites us into a relationship with God begins with “be still.” Any form of sacred silence begins with stillness. It begins in the quiet.

In the stillness we connect with our souls. In the stillness we experience God as in no other way. In the stillness we are in touch with our deepest selves, the lives for which we are created and to which we are called. And out of the stillness, out of the silence, we experience peace and may well become aware of the softly spoken voice of God.

“And behold, the Lord passed by…” the scriptures say, and the Lord was heard, not in the wind or the earthquake or in the fire, but in “… a still small voice.” (I Kings 19:11-12)

Always remember that a “still small voice” is a voice that can only be heard in the quiet, in the silence.

Silence invites us to those deeper places… within our hearts and souls.

Remember the Sabbath – it can be any day, any hour, any moment – and keep it holy.

Day 6: Our Values are of Limited Worth until They become our Virtues

Values and virtues are often thought of as being synonymous. They are closely related, yet there is a difference. Values are beliefs and ideals we hold in high regard. Virtues are beliefs and ideals we hold in high regard – AND have integrated into our living.

Values are what I believe.

Virtues are what I live.

Values are my attitudes.

Virtues are my attributes.

Values are potential.

Virtues are potential… realized.

To believe in courage, for instance, is a value.

To be courageous is a virtue.

Values and virtues are moral, ethical terms – to which there is a faith parallel. In the language of our faith, the distinction between values and virtues is being “created in the image of God” and “growing into God’s likeness.”

The image of God is the blessing of grace with which we are born. It’s God’s own DNA. It’s a gift. Inherited. It’s like one of our values we believe… that may not yet have become a virtue.

It is when we live into God’s image within us that we begin to grow into God’s likeness.

We are created in the image… and urged to live and grow into the likeness.

Values are what we believe.

Virtues are what we live.

The image of God is the Divine potential within us. The likeness of God is that Divine potential realized, lived.

“You are the light of the world.”

“So let your light shine.”

Day 7: Live with Resiliency

In this life we will experience disappointment, heartache, and possibly a tragedy. If life victimizes you, do not accept “victim” as your identity. Be resilient.

Ours is a faith of resiliency. We believe that there is resurrection behind each of life’s crucifixions. Life, for all of us, is filled with challenge, difficulty, and struggle. Our faith says we can not only survive, but thrive.

“God can use what God didn’t choose,” as it has been said. God can use events, circumstances, suffering – that God would never have wished for us – ultimately for our good… thanks to the strength and courage we call resiliency.

The Latin origin of the word “resiliency” meant “to leap back,” from the heartache or the distress or the wound. To leap back, to return to where we were prior to the wound, which means, of course, to heal. First, we leap back, we recover, we heal – and then we move forward, the stronger for having been there. We grow into someone we have never been before.

Circumstances may be out of our control, but how we respond to them is precisely within our control. So, take control.

Following any traumatic event, most people will return to their normal emotional state within a few months. For a minority the stress will linger significantly. We are all familiar with that as PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder – the on-going distress from a traumatic event. Yet, researchers have discovered another minority who stand out from the norm, and the name given to their response to trauma is PTG. Post-traumatic growth. They have learned from what they have been through and have returned the stronger for it.

J. K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, spoke at a Harvard commencement of the earlier time in her life of abject poverty. She was just beginning to write and was a single mom without a dime. She was barely avoiding homelessness. In reflecting on that, she wrote, “And so, rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I built the rest of my life.”

Resiliency.

Your best, your finest self, may well be yet to come.

DAY 8: Find Your Community

Life is to be lived in relationship. Remember when Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” In relationship, God’s spirit can be felt. Those moments together with those we love can be sacred moments.

As Jacob said to Esau, “For truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me with such favor.”

In this social media age, we must remember not to mistake the casual for the substantial.

A network is not a community. I can’t click “Add a friend” and consider that a relationship.

Perhaps you saw the cartoon of the two men standing at the back of a basically empty sanctuary before a funeral service. One said to the other, “I’m surprised at this attendance. He had over 2000 friends on Facebook.”

In what is likely the most comprehensive study on true happiness – over 75 years following the same group, who

are now in their 90s – Harvard researchers found the one common element to true happiness and life satisfaction is… close, meaningful relationships.

Develop your community. Surround yourself with those who are good for you.

If you haven’t found those relationships, find them. If you have, embrace them, enjoy them, savor them.

DAY 9: Discover Your Purpose

Discover the overarching purpose for your life. Discover the purpose for this particular chapter of your life. And discover your purpose in this next moment of your life.

Your purpose in life is where you will express your values.

Your purpose for this chapter of your life is where you will make a difference.

Your purpose in this next moment is where it will ALL be lived out.

Be intentional.

Purpose is to have an inspired and resolved clarity of direction.

As Mordecai said to Esther in the Old Testament, “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” We may not have come to royal dignity, but we each have arrived here, at this place. And the questions for us are the same:

For what have you come to this place in your life?

For what is this your time?

To what do you feel led, even called?

Discern a clear and purposeful sense of what your life is to be about. Then… live it!

In the living of your life’s purpose, you will find your life’s meaning.

DAY 10: Be True to the Person God created Your to Be

Be who you are. Find your voice and speak it with authority.

Beneath layers of a lifetime of experience, of trial and error, of success and failure, that shape the identity of who we become…

beneath the image, the personal branding, the facades…

beneath all of that, is your true identity. It is the “Christ in you” as Paul phrased it – or what Fr. Thomas Merton called our “true self.”

Discern it. Discover it. Then, with God’s guidance, be the author of your own life story. Do not let someone else write it for you. As Paul put it, “Do not be conformed to this world…” Rather, be guided by others’ counsel. Be inspired by their lives. Then discover the life God created in you – and the path to which God calls you… and be true to it.

And leave nothing on the table. Be ALL that God created you to be. When I look back on the missteps of my life most are not from moments I did something so wrong or hurtful… but those times when something was called for – some action, some word, some deed. And I did nothing .

Benjamin Franklin said it beautifully, “As we must account for every idle word, so we must account for every idle silence.”

Live boldly. Live authentically. Live intentionally. Leave nothing on the table. Let there be very few regrets.

One of my favorite stories was told by the author Elie Wiesel. There was a Hasidic rabbi named Zusya. Zusya was a timid man, a man who concealed more than he revealed. One day Zusya stood before his congregation and said, “When I die and have to present myself before the celestial tribunal, they will not ask me, ‘Zusya, why were you not Moses?’ Because I would say, ‘Moses was a prophet, and I am not.’

“They would not say, ‘Zusya, why were you not Jeremiah?’ For I would say, ‘Jeremiah was a great writer, and I am not.’ And they would not say, “Why were you not Rabbi Akiba?’ For I would tell them, ‘Rabbi Akiba was a great teacher, and I am not.’

“But then they will say, ‘Zusya, why were you not Zusya?’ And to this, I will have no answer.”

Be the unique human life that God created in you. Be who you are. And be all that you are.

Kay Warren, Co Founder of Saddleback Church, talk s about the death of her son to suicide, alleviating the stigma, deep grief and her evolving faith

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:54:23 GMT

Kay Warren presents her story of losing her adult son to suicide and how she learned to grow in her faith while simultaneously and forever grieving the tremendous, devestating loss.

Grief isn't something we ever get over. It's something we get through with faith in God and love of others.

Pathways to Peace: Dr. Cathy Snapp, UGA Director of Behavioral Health and Professor at UGA Medical School discusses the neural-science explaining health spiritual practices and emotional well-being

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:15:05 GMT

How Positive Spiritual Practices contribute to emotional wellbeing

Dr. Snapp has spent her career study behavior and emotional health. In this video, she explains the science connecting the two which she teach her to her UGA students as well as Medical School Students.

Strength to Strength: Wit Hall and Steve McCollam discuss how to find purpose, meaning and happiness in retirement that can be as rewarding, if not more, than when we were younger.

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:27:12 GMT

Finding Purpose, Meaning and Happiness in Retirement

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Nancy Kriseman Presentation "When A Loved One Has Dementia." Nancy will share guidance from her program 'Meaningful Connections: Positive Ways to be Together When a Loved-One Has Dementia.'

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 16:36:26 GMT

Nancy Kriseman, MSW, offers practical tools and heartfelt support for navigating the emotionall journey of dementia care.

Heart Math: A Videao Explaining the Amazing Connection Between Our Hearts and Our Brains Providing Science to Explain How feelings and Emotions Are Embedded In Our Bodies

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 17:21:03 GMT

HEART MATH: A Video Describing the Amazing Connection Between Our Hearts and Our Brains.

Understanding how we feel our emotions can help us regulate and redirect harmful behaviors, reactions and physiological events

Mace Hall Interviews Mary Bridges Waters About the Emotional Challenges of Raising an Autistic Son Which Led Her to Drink to Escape the Difficulty. Her Amazing Love for Him Inspired Her Recovery

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 16:53:20 GMT

Mary Bridges Waters Shares her amazing, poignant, heart-wrenching but very HOPEFUL story and journey of being a mother to an autistic son, self medication with alcohol but ultimately recovering inspired by her immense love for her son and her family. Mary's honesty, relatability, courage and vulnerability offer life-giving hope for us all as we struggle with life's challenges.

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STEP UP AND SPEAK OUT SUICIDE PREVENTION SUMMIT: FEBRUARY 1 KEYNOTE KAY WARREN, FEBRUARY 2 SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAININGS AT PRUMC FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:00:47 GMT

STEP UP AND SPEAK OUT SUICIDE PREVENTION SUMMIT AT PEACHTREE ROAD UMC FEBRUARY 1: KEYNOTE KAY WARREN, FEBRUARY 2: 3 CONCURRENT TRAININGS FOR COMMUNITY, CLERGY AND CLINICIANS.

TRAGICALLY, SUICIDE IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. IT IS NOW CONSIDERED BY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND CLINICIANS AND EPIDEMIC. MOST IF NOT, ALL OF US HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY SUICIDE AND SOME WAY. SO, THE ONE LAMB INITIATIVE AT PEACHTREE ROAD WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF MEMBERS DECIDED TO ADDRESS THIS DIFFICULT TOPIC HEAD ON. K Warren, who lost a son to suicide will be our Keynote. She has written a book called "CHOOSE JOY" which talks about her journey and how she goes on in the wake of her son's death. The following day, we will have trainings which have been endorsed by healthcare professionals, notably CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA: Our mental health professional training has been endorsed by Dr. John Constantino of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta:

“At Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, we’ve seen the profound impact of skill development in dialectical behavioral therapeutic approaches, including the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) model, for both clinicians and patients. This evidence-based approach can equip professionals with tools and confidence to engage compassionately and effectively with those at risk for suicide. I enthusiastically encourage Atlanta-area clinicians to consider opportunities to train in these methods, including the upcoming February 2, 2026 clinician training at the Step Out & Speak Up Summit.”

John N. Constantino, MD

Liz and Frank Blake Chair for Children’s Behavioral and Mental Health,

Chief, Center for Behavioral and Mental Health, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Pediatrics, and Genetics, Emory University

We can make a difference by stepping up and speaking out for suicide prevention. Hope exists, especially when concerned people are trained in how to halt the epidemic of suicide.

NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Health) FAMILY TO FAMILY Mental Health Class is led by NAMI trained and certified instructors to help families dealing with a loved-one with a mental health issue.

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:31:10 GMT

NAMI MENTAL HEALTH CLASS Winter 2026:

The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) working with the One Lamb Initiative provides a research-based class for family members of those with mental health conditions in a non threatening, anonymous setting here at PRUMC at no charge.
The next class starts Sunday, January 11 concluding Sunday, March 1 on Sundays 2-430PM.

Do you have a loved one with a mental health diagnosis? You are not alone. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) working with the One Lamb Initiative provides a research-based class for family members of those with mental health conditions in a non threatening, anonymous setting here at PRUMC at no charge.

The next class starts Sunday, January 11, concluding Sunday, March 1 on Sunday afternoons from 2-430PM.

In this class, you will learn about the various diagnoses, medications, and current treatment options, how the brain actually works, crisis management, support resources to help your loved one, effective communication, how to work with therapists and psychiatrists, self care for you, and much more. You will also meet others experiencing the same grief, frustration and loneliness as you are and will build lasting friendships. The format is a combination of lecture, discussion and problem solving.

This class is limited to 24 participants who will meet either on Zoom and in person.

For more information and to register, contact Susan Thigpen at thigpensusan@gmail.com .

Grace-Filled Grieving: starting January 28. 6-7PM in the PRUMC Hospitality Suite- led by Martha Tate - Grief is a complicated but important process to bring healing after loss.

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:23:42 GMT

Grace-filled Grief led by Martha Tate

Grace Filled Grieving

Led by Martha Tate, LCSW

Wednesdays starting January 28

6-7 PM in the Hospitality Suite

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Grief is both personal and universal.

This six-week support group is designed to be a safe space for people to travel together through the rocky terrain of grief. The intent is to provide a safe place in which people can experience social/emotional support through sharing their personal stories and learn more about the journey of grief.

The soft structure of the group will be:

· Beginning and ending with meditative prayer to calm the mind and soothe the spirit

· Experience social and emotional support through sharing of personal stories

· Teaching on the mind-body-spirit aspects of grief from spiritual, psychological, mind/body literature

It is my hope to offer a group in which each person might come to glimpse grief in the words of Paula D’Arcy as: “An invitation that intimates that something will guide us as we find our way through the dark. The existence of something both deeper and greater than loss holds the promise that pain is not an end but a doorway.”

If you know of anyone who might benefit from this group, please pass the word along. Registration will be offered through PRUMC.ccbchurch.com

When a Friend Takes His Life; Interview with Owen McDaniel. In this conversation, Owen talks openly about the impact of losing 2 close friends to suicide

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 01:07:32 GMT

When a Friend Takes His Own Life:

An Interview with Owen McDaniel

27 Year old Owen McDaniel, who grew up at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, talks candidly about losing two close friends to suicide and how these losses have impacted his life.

Interview with David Asbury Discussing the Loss of His Son Sam to Suicide

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:01:54 GMT

Interview with David Asbury Discussing the Loss of His Son Sam to Suicide

Reverend Mace Hall interviews David Asbury, husband, father of three and area business person and leader experienced the unimaginable when in February 2020, his middle son, Sam, took his own life. With candor, David talks about the impact of Sam's death on his life and his family. He also talks about ways he's taking his tragic loss to educate and help others with the goal of ending the "epidemic" of suicide.

CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE HAPPINESS ISN'T AN OPTION BY KAY WARREN - 2 BOOK STUDIES: EMILY MILES - THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 630-730PM / ZOOM & SUE ALLEN WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 6-8PM -ROOM 300 NORTHSIDE CHURCH

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:55:26 GMT

Two offerings to read and discuss KAY Warren's book: CHOOSE JOY

Emily Miles will discuss Kay's book over Zoom Thursday, January 8, 630=730pm. Register at PRUMC.org.

Sue Allen will discuss Kay's book in person at Northside Church Wednesday, January 28 6 to 8 PM room 300.

Video of Dr. Beverly Armenta Chronicling her Childhood Experiences of Abuse and Neglect: As her mother's sight worsened so did her treatment of Beverly

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:11:47 GMT

Video of Dr. Beverly Armento Chronicling Her Childhood Experiences of Abuse and Neglect

Dr. Beverly Armento tells what it was like growing up with an abusive, neglectful mother whose abuse and neglect of beverly intensified as her mother became blind, relying on her daughter, Beverly, to function as a person without sight.

Longest Night Prayer Service: Sunday, December 21 530-630pm in the Moore Chapel. Remember, Pray Connect with God as you recall difficult memories the holidays can bring with the hope Christmas brings

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 18:55:35 GMT

The Longest Night Prayer Service: December 21: 530-630PM

The Chapel - RON GREER PREACHING

Pray, remember and connect with God, preparing for the hope and healing Christmas brings.

PRESENTATION BY RON GREER: WHAT'S NEXT? FINDING EXCITEMENT, PURPOSE, FULFILLMENT AND JOY IN ONE'S LATER YEARS ONCE RETIRED- OUR ENCORE CHAPTER CAN BE A TIME OF SELF DISCOVERY JUST AS OUR YOUNGER YEARS

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:47:09 GMT

PRESENTATION BY ROM GREER: OUR NEXT CHAPTER. FINDING PURPOSE, MEANING AND FULFILLMENT AFTER RETIRING.

OUR LATER YEARS CAN BE FILLED WITH SELF DISCOVERY AND EXCITEMENT LIKE WHEN WE YOUGER.

STEP OUT AND SPEAK UP SUICIDE PREVENTION WALK IN PIEDMONT PARK NOV. 2. PEOPLE OF FAITH UNITING AGAINST SUICIDE

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 20:10:47 GMT

STEP UP AND SPEAK OUT SUICIDE PREVENTION WALK. ON NOVEMBER 2, PEACHTREE ROAD AS WELL AS OTHER FAITH GROUP WILL UNITE WITH ATLANTA'S 'OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK' to show our solidarity for ending suicide.

Come be a a part of this community wide effrot with other people of faith. We walk in solidarity. Register by October 15 to receive our group's matching tee-shirt.

VIDEO PRESENTATION OF DR. STAN SONU DISCUSSING CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND HOW IT CONTRIBUTES TO ADULT MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ILLNESS

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 16:51:06 GMT

VIDEO PRESENTATION BY DR. STAN SONU AS HE DESCRIBES HOW CHILDHOOD TRAUMA CONTRIBUTES TO BOTH ADULT MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ILLNESS WITH A HOPEFUL MESSAGE AS TO HOW WE CAN HEAL FROM ADVERSE CHILD EXPERIENCES

Description: Mounting evidence over the past thirty years has shed light on the alarming effects of childhood trauma on health and development stretching over the entire life course. Psychosocial adversity, which often remains hidden throughout our lives, is the most important and urgent under recognized health issue of today. Faith communities are in unique position to respond and embody places of healing, safety, belonging, and post-traumatic growth. This presentation will provide an overarching review of trauma on health, highlight key findings on the impact of trauma on the developing brain, and discuss how faith communities can support resilience and healing through integration of trauma-informed practices. For those who feel stuck in dysfunctional patterns, are in cruise control but lack a sense of vitality in faith, or are simply curious about learning about themselves in a deeper way, this presentation is for you.

Dr. Stan Sonu is an Associate Professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He is deeply committed to teaching professional and public audiences on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), relational health and resilience in primary care, trauma-informed care , medical-legal partnerships, and health equity. In addition to supervising internal medicine residents at Grady Memorial Hospital , Dr. Sonu provides primary care for children at Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital . Additionally, he serves as the Medical Director for Child Advocacy at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta ; in this role, he oversees programming for Strong 4 Life and helps manage the Health-Law Partnership, an interprofessional medical-legal collaborative addressing health-harming legal issues. Dr. Sonu obtained his medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia and completed a residency in combined internal medicine/pediatrics at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL . He completed a fellowship at the Cook County Preventive Medicine and Public Health Program and also obtained a Master’s in Public Health at Northwestern University .

Evening Yoga Thursdays October 2-30, 530-630 pm, C208 led by Ann Strader, a certified yoga instrustor and health and wellness coach

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 15:39:16 GMT

Evening Yoga led by Ann Strader

Thursdays, October 2 - 30 (5 Weeks)

530 - 630 pm Room C208

In this class, we will use our breath to come our minds, move and strengthen our bodies through stretching exercises and end of the few moments at the end of each class and prayer as we take a quiet, mindful moment to receive the benefits gained and focus on God. All levels of fitness are welcome. Please bring a mat if you have one. Ann is a certified yoga instructor and integrative health coach. Register at PRUMC.ccbchurch.com

30 DAYS OF KINDNESS- Research shows that acts of kindness improve the mood and emotional well-being of both receiver and the giver. Kindness is free and easy and will makes everyone feel better!

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:56:42 GMT

COMMIT TO 30 DAYS OF KINDNESS- Research shows that acts of kindness improve the mood and emotional well-being of both receiver and the giver. Kindness is free and easy and will makes everyone feel better!

Please join the KIND30 movement by engaging in one small act of kindness daily throughout the month of October (or whenever)!!

Research show it takes 30 days to establish a new habit. It's that simple!

No matter your age or stage of life, you can participate in spreading kindness. Giving and receiving kindness positively impacts mental health and—

If we all join in—this movement can transform our community!

For more information, please visit www.kind30.org

Rev. Mace Hall interviews Arlene and Paul Samuels where the couple speaks honestly about Paul's diagnosis of Bi-polar while in his 50's. Since they have been to mission to de-stimatize the diagnosis

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:34:56 GMT

INTERVIEW BY REV. MACE HALL WITH ARLENE AND PAUL SAMUELS DISCUSSING PAUL"S BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS IN HIS 50'S, Since the diagnosis, Arlene and Paul have been on a mission to eductae and de-stigmatize the topic of mental illness.

From their shared experience through faith a determination, the Samuels have openly and honestly discussed Paul's Bi-polar diagnosis. They co-authored Mental Health Meltdown which in a collection of other people's struggles with their mental health.

INTERVIEW WITH DR. STAN SONU describing what led him to specialize in understanding/treating persons affected by Adverse Child Experiences and how these contribute to adult mental &physical illness

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 17:48:30 GMT

Rev. Mace Hall interviews Dr. Stan Sonu about what led him to become a childhood trauma specialist

Dr. Sonu describes how he was compelled to learn about and treat persons who had experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences(ACEs) as these experiences affect both a person's mental and physical health.

Dr. Sonu is a Director at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, a professor at Emory University Medical School and a practice adult and child internal medical doctor at Hughes-Spalding Hospital.

Dr. Stan Sonu: September 14 at 10Am 'The Invisible Wounds that bind: how understanding the science of adversity and resilience can guide us toward a journey of healing an wholeness'

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 16:09:59 GMT

Dr. Stan Sonu: The Invisible Wounds That Bind

Sunday, September 14 10-11AM Heritage Hall Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Description: Mounting evidence over the past thirty years has shed light on the alarming effects of childhood trauma on health and development stretching over the entire lifecourse. Psychosocial adversity, which often remains hidden throughout our lives, is the most important and urgent underrecognized health issue of today. Faith communities are in unique position to respond and embody places of healing, safety, belonging, and post-traumatic growth. This presentation will provide an overarching review of trauma on health, highlight key findings on the impact of trauma on the developing brain, and discuss how faith communities can support resilience and healing through integration of trauma-informed practices. For those who feel stuck in dysfunctional patterns, are in cruise control but lack a sense of vitality in faith, or are simply curious about learning about themselves in a deeper way, this presentation is for you.

Video “My Ascension” | Emma Benoit Story

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:16:15 GMT

A suicide attempt left 16-year-old varsity cheerleader, Emma Benoit, paralyzed, but propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience to help others find hope, and shine more light on the fact that 20 young people die every day by suicide in the United States. My Ascension is a feature length documentary that chronicles Emma’s inspiring journey and quest to walk again, as she works to bring Hope Squad, a school-based suicide prevention program, to Louisiana. The film also highlights the stories of two remarkable young people who tragically did not survive their attempts, and we learn first-hand from their families, friends, school officials and suicide prevention experts about the devastating effects of suicide and what can be done to prevent it.

What Every Parent Should Know about the Student Mental Health & Substance Abuse Crisis

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:57:45 GMT

What every Parent Should know about the Student Mwntal Health and Substance Abuse Crisis

Special Guest Speaker: David Magee

Sunday, August 17, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

PRUMC

Join us for a powerful day with David Magee, best-selling author, award-winning columnist, and national speaker on mental health, addiction, and family well-being. Drawing from his own family’s journey—including his personal recovery from addiction, the heartbreaking loss of his son to an overdose, and his daughter’s battle with an eating disorder—Magee brings a message of honesty, healing, and hope.

Through his books (Dear William, Things Have Changed) and public speaking, Magee has become a trusted voice for parents, educators, and students navigating today’s mental health crisis. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear his compassionate, practical insights across all generations.

10:00 am – Forum in Harp Center
“Things Have Changed: What Every Parent (and Caregiver) Should Know to Raise a Healthy Child” – David shares insights for raising resilient kids in a world full of pressure, uncertainty, and risk.

12:30 pm – Q&A in Grace Hall
Join David at reserved tables during our congregational luncheon to ask questions and go deeper into this vital conversation.

5:00 pm – 1|99 in Harp Center
David speaks to our youth for their fall kickoff, Reset. Youth groups from across North Georgia are invited to be part of this special evening of truth, encouragement, and new beginnings.

ABOUT DAVID

David Magee is an inspirational speaker on student, family and community well-being, a podcast host, and the bestselling author of the award-winning book Dear William: A Father’s Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love and Loss . Featured on CBS Mornings, Dear William is a Publisher’s Weekly national bestseller, a Best Book of the South 2021 (Reckon), and receiving a Starred Review from Kirkus . It's in development for film by director Andrew Hyatt (The Blind; Sight).

David's guide book Things Have Changed: What Every Parent (and Educator) Should Know About the Student Mental Health, Substance Misuse Crisi s published in August 2023, is an expansion of the popular mental health and substance misuse talk he delivers to parents.

David is a sought-after speaker in communities, companies, schools, universities nationwide, inspirationally addressing mental health resiliency and recovery, and finding lasting joy and purpose. His message about what is often a difficult topic is well-received by audiences because it is relatable, inspirational and applicable.

He's a creator of the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi. The Magee Institute is named after David's late son, William, who died of an accidental drug overdose.

In addition to the Magee Institute, David helped inspire and create the William Magee Center for Wellness Education at the University of Mississippi, which focuses on helping students on campus with alcohol and other drug education and support.

David has been a daily newspaper publisher, a media company president, an award-winning columnist for newspapers and Newsweek , a small business owner, a regular guest on CNBC, and once hosted a national cable TV and radio program — The David Magee Show.

He is the author of a dozen books including How Toyota Became #1 (Penguin), named a Top 10 Business Book of the Year from the American Library Association, and The Education of Mr. Mayfield , a best book of the South (2009). Other books include The John Deere Way (Wiley) and Playing to Win: Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys (Random).

Video Presentation: Raising Resilient Children in a world filled with Anxiety and Stress

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 17:39:09 GMT

VIDEO: RAISING RESILIENT CHILDREN IN A WORLD FILLED WITH ANXIETY AND STRESS

New Paragraph

VIDEO: From Worried to Well: Dr. Ben Hunter, Chief Medical Officer at Skyland Trail Mental Health Facility, discusses symptoms and causes of anxiety, coping skills to relieve worry and stress.

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 16:35:27 GMT

VIDEO PRESENTATION BY DR. BEN HUNTER, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AT SKLAND TRAIL MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FACILITY, DISCUSSING THE SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES OF ANXIETY. DR. HUNTER EXPLAINS WHAT WE CAN DO TO COPE WITH STRESS REDUCING ANXIETY THEREBY LEADING TO BETTER WELL-BEING.

Dr. Ben Hunter explains science of anxiety and how to reduce its effects.

Making Connections: A VIDEO Discussion of Aging and Well-being

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 15:18:48 GMT

VIDEO of PANEL DISCUSSION WITH RON GREER, CAROLYN CURRY, GAYLE CUMMINGS - MODERATED BY ANDREA DEWALT

https://youtu.be/0ZWHmb0qbhI?si=BC21XIfvktmenTVZ

Raising Resilience: Parenting Anxious Children

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:42:56 GMT

Raising Resilience: Parenting Anxious Children

Join Marty Munford, as child psychologist to learn and discuss anxiety in children and tools for breaking the cycle.

Thursday, February 20, 630-8PM, THE LOFT, Harp Youth Center at PRUMC

The Dreaded C-Word: CANCER

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 16:02:58 GMT

THE DREADED C-WORD: A conversation with Rev. Mace Hall

Tuesday, February 4 Hospitality Suite Peacetree Road United Methodist Church

Years agom my husband read a book called The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee. The title intrigued me. Having lost my mother, grandfather, and a grandmother plus 2 very close friend to cancer, I thought what are you sitting way to describe this terrible, scary, widely variable sayI think way to describe this terrible, scary, widely variable to seize November 26, 2021, I heard the dreaded 'C' -word from an emergency room doctor saying my initial scans look like cancer.

Cancer touches so many. The news can be crashing.

Come for an intimate conversation for purses touched by cancer led by Reverend bass hall for questions or to sign up please email maze at PRUMC one lan@gmail.com.

Meredith Hydrick – Anxiety

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 21:28:26 GMT

Meredith Hydrick – Anxiety

PRUMC members Mace Hall and Meredith Hydrick have an in-depth and personal conversation about anxiety. For Meredith, anxiety was always a part of life, but she finally realized that her internal feelings of being overwhelmed were on another level than most. With the right tools and support, she was able to manage her anxiety and live an abundant life.

Chris, Maria and Isabella Moffett talk about disordered eating: VIDEO

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:51:32 GMT

Chris, Maria and Isabella Moffett - Trauma

Isabella Moffett is a great student and athlete at her local high school. Hard-working and determined by nature, she has set a course for success and happiness in her life. While expecting the most of herself as a student and athlete, Isabella began controlling her intake of food in an effort to be more fit and more then. Living in a house where her parents and her brother are all very close to her, they noticed that Isabella was dramatically losing weight, so they intervened. When they went to the doctor, Isabella had in fact lost a great deal of weight. Immediately, the family got her professional help and Isabella started on the path to wellness.

Interview with Kenya Phillips about her adult diagnosis of Bi-Polar 2, her treatment, her recovery and her self discovery as a NAMI trainer, Life Coach and spoken word artist

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 17:25:44 GMT

Rev. Mace Hall interviews Kenya Phillips about her adult diagnosis of bi-polar 2, her treatment, her recovery and self-discovery

Reverend Mace Hall talks with Kenya Phillips about her diagnosis and struggles with bi-polar, how she got through treatment realizing her vocation as a NAMI trainer, Life Coach and Spoken Word Artist. The poem "Black Is Black" was written by her illuminating the fragility experienced by all of humanity.:

Black is Black,

Black is up ecstasy

Black is my soul

Black surrounds me

Black unfolds

Lost I was once

Like a bird and a fleet

Lost amongst others

Looking to be free

Time has come

Anew day is here.

All triumphs of past

Are now at end

Colors are colors

Closed eyes cannot see c

Clear the darkened clouds c

Cool winds are soon to come

Keep in mind

Kindness as a part k

Kept deep within the one who

Knows their own heart.

Video of interview of Kate Bowler by Claire Bowen discussing our terrible beautiful days

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 03:28:57 GMT

VIDEO OF KATE BOWLER BY CLAIRE BOWEN DISCUSSING OUR TERRIBLE, BEAUTIFUL DAYS

Jamie & Lena Jenkins - Depression

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 14:55:19 GMT

Jamie & Lena Jenkins - Depression

Faced with debilitating and life altering depression, Lena Jenkins confides in her husband Jamie about her internal struggle. In this interview, Lena and Jamie provide us a window into their rock-solid marriage, their deep, supportive commitment and their abiding faith. With these underlying strengths coupled with a caring faith community, Lena and Jamie emerge stronger and more resolved after Lena’s battles with depression. We have the privilege of learning from their shared experience.

Book Review “No Cure For Being Human” | Beth Abernathy

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 14:37:21 GMT

No Cure for Being Human
By Kate Bowler
Book Review by Beth Abernathy

Diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at age 35, Kate Bowler sets a wonderful example for all of us on how to “be human” in her book, No Cure for Being Human. With her sharp wit and unfiltered honesty, Kate encourages us to re-examine our belief that the world is “sanitary, predictable and safe.”

Many of us believe that if we “seize the day, live in the present, and work on a bucket list” that we will have the life that society says we are owed. But for any of us who have experienced terrible loss or sickness, we realize that “so frequently the events that define us are the ones we didn’t choose.” Kate Bowler used to think that life was full of possibilities and if we only do the right things that utopia will result. In the second section of the book, Bowler examines how you move on with a life that you didn’t choose. Things often fall apart more often than we’d like to believe and she vividly describes what happens when those things we thought were within our control are no longer.

No Cure for Being Human encourages a more genuine, kinder and more honest way of living of our lives. Kate Bowler was a Duke Divinity School associate professor, a mother of a toddler, a wife and a highly respected author. After a devastating diagnosis, she is forced to live with uncertainty while still trying to maintain a sense of purpose, hope and connection. She takes the reader along with her as she suffers through the challenges of an experimental form of immunotherapy, medical insurance bureaucracies, and insensitive doctors. And yet through all of that, Bowler appreciates the friends and neighbors who chip in to help for her trips to Atlanta for medical treatment. Most importantly, we see Kate begin to appreciate that small moments can outshine the big events. As Kate writes, “I am probably replaceable, but here in the shadow of death, the mundane has begun to sparkle.”

This is the beauty of this book. Kate assures us, even as she grapples with her cancer diagnosis, her ambition, and her religion, that living our best lives means coming to terms with our humanity. Meaning that life is beautiful and terrible, full of hope and despair all at the same time. Bowler’s deep faith is evident throughout the book and yet the writing never feels overly religious. That being said, it is clear the important role that friends, family and faith play in her life. Bowler’s faith is one that doesn’t use pat answers to stop her from thinking or feeling, instead it allows her to explore and question what it means to be human.

No Cure for Being Human would be a great book for someone walking through a traumatic season or walking alongside a loved one, but it is also for each of us reflecting on life in general.

The Empty Chair | Ron Greer

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 15:43:43 GMT

The Empty Chair | Ron Greer

Before “the empty chair” became a metaphor for holiday loss and sadness, it was simply a chair… a chair that was someone’s place at the table. It had been their chair. And now it was empty. They died.

Our son Eric died many years ago, just a month before Thanksgiving. Our older son was still healing from the same accident as the holiday arrived, so there was no possibility of travel to be with extended family. We would be at home together. It was a quiet morning on Thanksgiving Day as the meal was prepared. Then early that afternoon we sat down to eat – just the three of us, at a table for four. There was his chair. Eric’s chair. His place was as empty as our hearts were filled, with grief.

Sadness over the loss of a loved one is always magnified during the holidays. This is especially true for a first Thanksgiving or Christmas. Holidays are synonymous with families gathering. So, if your spouse or your parent or any loved one who has been vital in your life has died, then this holiday may well be a struggle.

There is much wisdom to the notion of the “year of mourning.” Within that year, each of the special days is experienced for the first time without him there. This is “the empty chair” – no matter how many chairs are filled, it is the empty one that is the focus. This season needs to be handled intentionally and thoughtfully.

If you will be grieving over these holidays, let me offer some guidance in these suggestions:

Grieve early – You will need to mourn going into the holidays. The pain will not subside without it. In fact, it will become even more intense. Don’t wait for Thanksgiving or Christmas to arrive and be swept away with your grief. Be open to how you feel as the season approaches.

Mourn fully as each wave of grief comes over you. Holiday grief denied maximizes the likelihood of post-holiday depression. Please know that repression brings depression, while expression brings resurrection – new life for a new day. Give your grief a voice. Cry it out. Talk it out. Write it out (if you journal, and I encourage it).

Plan ahead – Do as few obligatory engagements as possible. Schedule your holidays in ways that will work for you. Keep the traditions that you like, drop those you don’t, and add any new ones that may be good for you now. This year needs to be your holiday. This one needs to be about you. Design it your way, without a hint of guilt.

Take excellent care of yourself – both now and throughout the holiday season.

Seared into my memory is the comment a friend made to me at the hospital, as I walked from visiting one of our sons in ICU back down the hall to check on our other son in his room. I was cordial and friendly, taking a moment to visit with each of those who had come to see us as they lined the hallway. Then I came to Bill. He put a hand on each of my shoulders, squeezed tightly, and with an unmistakable intensity said, “Greer, you ain’t hosting this dadgum function!”

Take excellent care of yourself. Do and attend what you want to do and attend, and do not do or attend what you do not want to do or attend.

Working through all the emotions of these first holidays takes so much energy, engage in whatever recharges and replenishes you. Make time for yourself. Get rest.

Be near to those you love – Plan to surround yourself through the holidays with those who are good for you and enrich you. Be with the people who give you life and energy. Graciously avoid those who don’t.

Identify the one or two special people in your inner circle with whom you can be radically open. Let them know you may need a chat or two with them over the holidays. Then, whenever you need to, call them and pour out your heart. Do not think for a moment you are burdening them. You are not. You are honoring them by inviting them into the inner sanctuary of your heart.

Tell your family and friends what you need – Having decided that this year it’s alright for it to be about you, then communicate clearly to those closest to you what you need. Let them know your preferences for the upcoming holidays. Those who love you will appreciate your candor and direction. They do love you and want to know how.

This will, of course, be your family’s first holiday without their parent or grandparent or brother as well. Ask them in advance how they are feeling and if there is anything special they will need as you begin planning.

Share your memories as a family together – As you sit around the table for that Thanksgiving dinner, instead of ignoring what everyone is thinking, give it a voice. Remember the good times. Retell the stories. “You know, I was just remembering the time that Grandpa…” and suddenly the family is alive with emotion. Stories are told and events remembered about someone so dear. Laughter is heard. A tear or two quietly sneak down someone’s cheek. And out of it all – the telling and the remembering – you will have honored his memory in a most personal way and worked through a bit more of your grief.

Have realistic expectations – This won’t be a Currier & Ives holiday. It will be different. It will be tough. Anticipate times of deep sadness.

Depression is sometimes experienced when expectations that are too high collide with reality. If this is your first year without someone you dearly loved, know that it will be difficult. Don’t set your bar too high and be disappointed. Remember the formula: reality divided by expectations equals happiness. Keep your expectations realistic.

When I ran marathons back-in-the-day, I didn’t set the bar too high. My goal was just to make it through to the finish. Let that be your goal – to have made it through… to have made it through your first holiday season, to have honored his life, and to have savored the company of those you dearly love.

VIDEO of BRAIN/GUT CONNECTION

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 21:51:55 GMT

VIDEO OF NUTRITIONIST EXPLAING THE BRAIN/GUT CONNECTION

Mary Virginia Coffman explains how our gut health can affect our mental well-being.

Project 988 - Suicide Prevention

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 16:37:10 GMT

PROJECT 988 - SUICIDE PREVENTION

Survivors of Suicide: Roswell United Methodist Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 21:04:21 GMT

Survivors of Suicide: Roswell United Methodist Church

Meetings - Third Tuesdays at 7pm

Meetings held the third Tuesday of every month

Roswell United Methodist Church

This peer lead, 90 minute monthly meeting, allows survivors to gather, share, and receive guidance and encouragement from others, farther along the grief path.

Contsct Marianne for more information. 770-998-6659

SPIRIT OF KINDNESS: WHY KINDNESS IS NEEDED DAILY

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 15:38:24 GMT

SPIRIT OF KINDNESS: Why Kindness Is Needed Daily -

Video of presentation LED by Ron Greer

"Love one another," Jesus said, "as I have loved you." And how did he love?

With kindness.

With loving kindness.

Kindness is love in action.

Love is our message. And kindness is its voice.

Brain/Gut Connection

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:19:06 GMT

Video Discussion of the Brain/Gut Connection

Do you know what your second brain is? Your gut! Watch this informative video of Dr. Elizabeth Board from Atlanta Functional Medicine and Dr. Vicki Stein, a clinical practitioner, from Your Healthy Structure, as each professional explains the connection between the health of one's gut and mental well-being.

Addiction vs abuse

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 15:05:28 GMT

Is it addiction or is it abuse? Mace Hall interviews Bryan Stickney

Reverend Mace Hall has an enlightening conversation with local therapist and expert in the field, Bryan Stickney, about the pervasiveness of alcohol in our culture and when something innocent becomes something dangerous leading to abusing alcohol, and eventually leading to addiction. Bryan describes from his perspective as a professional the stages and warning signs regarding alcohol dependency.

An All Too Brief Marriage: Interview with Joel Bush about the loss of his wife, Holly

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 01:23:54 GMT

A Life and Marriage that ended too soon:

An Interview with Joel Bush

Interviewed by Reverend Mace Hall, Peachtree Road United Methodist Church member, Joel Bush, describes the heartbreak, anguish and grief experienced when his young wife, Holly, battled and ultimately succumbed to cancer. With honesty and candor, Joel describes Holly's intense fighting followed by ultimate surrender and peace. Holly and Joel met through the church DISCIPLE Bible program. Their deep love for each other coupled with their faith in God allowed them to face the beast of cancer and to rely on God's abundant love, comforting embrace and hopeful promises.

Young Adult - Mental Wellness discussion with Bryan Stickney

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 17:32:50 GMT

Young Adult Mental Wellness Discussion with Bryan Stickney:

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Sunday, March 3 at 1:30PM in the Peachtree Road, United Methodist Church Hospitality Suite

Bryan Stickney, Atlanta-based therapist and counselor, as well as an excellent speaker, will talk about mental and emotional wellbeing topics as they pertain to young adults, in particular. It will be a time for learning, questions, dialogue and discussion with other young adults.

Documentary Screening: "Hiding in Plain Sight"

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 22:54:32 GMT

DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Saint Luke's Presbyterian Church

SAINT LUKE'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Resilience: Sunday, March 3, 4 - 6:30 pm

In the second two-hour episode of Hiding in Plain Sight, our “heroes” speak about finding help and inpatient and/or outpatient treatment. It also explores the criminalization of mental illness, tragedy of youth suicide, and “double stigma” that occurs when mental illness is combined with racial or gender discrimination. Throughout, the interviewees demonstrate the power of resiliency and hope.

Video: Caregiver Support Led by Laura McConatha

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:22:26 GMT

VIDEO OF DISCUSSION LED BY LAURA MACONATHA This is a subtitle for your new post

Led by Laura McConatha:

The former Director of the Rosalynn Carter Caregiver Support Program at The Carter Center.

VIDEO: Sadness, Loss, Depression - A Medical Perspective presented by Dr. Ben Hunter, Chief Medical Officer at Skyland Trail Mental Health Treatment Facility - A Path to Healing.

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:08:19 GMT

VIDEO: MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE - SADNESS, LOSS, DEPRESSION

New Paragraph

Dr. Ben Hunter, Skyland Trail Chief Medical Officer talks about sadness, loss and depression from a medical perspective

Women Alone Together: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 22:22:42 GMT

Women Alone Together: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Saturday, February 17

10am

The Hospitality Suite

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Cost $15.00

Zoe Fish man, author of her award winning book, Inheriting Edith, will discuss Alzheimer's and the affirmation of the important families of choice who step into our lives when we need them most. Zoe's book has been described as, "A delicious, literary chicken soup for the soul."

Virtual Experience of dementia: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 21:33:46 GMT

Virtual Experience of Dementia:

Peachtree Road United Methodist Chiurch

What would it be like to better understand what your loved with dementia is experiencing? You can sign up to participate in a Virtual Reality experience on Thursday, February 1 with time slots from 12-2pm. Make a reservation at info@1lamb.org

Are You A Caregiver?

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 21:21:58 GMT

ARE YOU A CAREGIVER: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Join us for "Caring for You: Mind Body & Soul" - The Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregiving, former Executive Director Laura McConatha, MPA will lead this important discussion at 10am in the Heritage Hall at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church.

Becoming a caregivercan happen to anyone at any time. Without the proper training support, caregivers can become overwhelmed, depressed and hopeless.The healthiest way to care another is to care for yourself. You can to learn methods to help you navigate the caregiving journey that will improve your life as well as the person for whom you are caring.

AA Meetings: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 22:14:40 GMT

Alcohol Anonymous Meetings:

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Mondays at 7:00pm Room C210

hey discover strength and hope through the fellowship of that is recovering from alcoholism. If you were looking for help and encouragement to stop drinking, please join us for more information contact Patrick Carver at carversoccer@gmail.com.

Financial Literacy For Young Adults: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 21:59:15 GMT

Financial Literacy For Young Adults

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

managing money can be complex and stressful for young adults. Join us for an earnest look at money management. Will share tips, tools and strategies for empowering financial management suffer in class facilitated by Rebecca and Terry Clements. Tuesdays 630 to 8 PM in the Hospitality Suite, SIX sessions: February 13, 20, 27 and March 5, 19

The Gut/Brain Connection: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 21:49:00 GMT

The Brain/Gut Connection:

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Sunday, March 10

4:00-6:00pm

Heritage Hall

Do you know what your second brain is? Your gut! Join us for an exciting program as we welcome Dr. Elizabeth Board from Atlanta Functional Medicine and Dr. Vicki Stein, a clinical practitioner, from Your Healthy Structure. Make reservations and submit questions by emailing info@1Lamb.org

Let's Talk: Raising Our Children for Mental Wellness - Video

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 19:09:19 GMT

Let's Talk: Raising Our Children for Mental Wellness - VIDEO

Healthy Families- Healthy Children;

A discussion on raising mentally well children

Panelists:

* Kelli Bynum - Director of Counseling Services, The Mount Vernon School

* Andrea DeWalt - PhD Psychologist Pastoral Counseling Service PRUMC

* Morgan DiOrio - LPC, NCc

* Janet Street-A Parent and Director of Teacher Training/Reading Specialist at Schenck SchoolThe body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Young Adult Discusssion of Mental Wellness with Doug Hurd from Skyland Trail - VIDEO

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 22:54:46 GMT

Young Adult: A Conversation With Doug Hurd - Video

Are you a young adult looking to learn more about mental health and wellness? Join us to hear from Skyland Trail's Assistant Director of Client Community Engagement, Doug Hurd. Skyland Trail is a nonprofit mental health treatment organization based in Atlanta. For more than 30 years, they have been inspiring people with mental illness to thrive through a holistic program of evidence-based psychiatric treatment, integrated medical care, research and education.

The event will be held on Sunday, September 24th at 6 PM at PRUMC's Hospitality Suite.

Topics include how to help yourself through periods of heightened anxiety/depression as well as how to recognize signs of struggle and help a peer going through mental health struggles.

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Self Care Calendar

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 23:24:23 GMT

Self Care Calendar

Introduce yourself to a new healthy lifestyle one small thing at a time. These are self-care activities that will hold you accountable for your health.

Disordered Eating: An interview with Dr. Dina Zeckhousen: VIDEO

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 20:38:32 GMT

Click The Image To See An interview with Dr. Dina Zeckhausen about disordered eating: VIDEO

Dr. Dina Zeckhausen, an Atlanta based therapist specializing in issues pertaining to body image and weight explains disordered eating: how to recognize it, how to prevent it and how to treat it.

Lessons From The Valley Led by Ron Greer: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 20:15:49 GMT

Click The Image to see a program led by Ron Greer called

Lessons From The Valley: Loss, Resiliency and Living

Peachtree Road United United Methodist Church - VIDEO

"Activating Happiness": St. Luke's Presbyterian Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:58:50 GMT

ACTIVATING HAPPINESS: SAINT LUKE'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

LED BY DR. RACHEL HERSHENBERG OF EMORY BRAIN HEALTH

Sunday, November 5 in the Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church Chapel
9:30 am – 10:15 am

Help us welcome Dr. Rachel Hershenberg of Emory Brain Health as she shares important evidence-based strategies discovered from her years of education, research

and as a care provider for depression. Rachel describes her book, “Activating Happiness” as “a jump-start guide to overcoming low motivation, depression, or just feeing stuck.” Rachel will tell us how some of the small decisions we make each day can be the

most important ones. Rachel’s widely-acclaimed book will also be available to those who wish to take more of these ideas home.

Location: Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 1978 Mount Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338

www.slpres.org

Fall Newsletter - Peachtree Road United Merthodist Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:00:39 GMT

Fall Newsletter from Diane Moffett:

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Dear Friends,

One Lamb is well into its third year, and we wanted to give our faithful friends a brief update! What started as an anonymous financial collection to help a Peachtree Road UMC teen became a very persistent God-nudge to develop a mental wellness ministry in a place of faith. The desire to normalize the conversation around mental illness and addiction and cultivate a supportive community became our mission = to nurture and embrace mental wellness in a faithful community of education, connection, and support…and we are doing just that!

We are grateful that in this short time, thousands of people have engaged with One Lamb in different ways. We have provided over 70 program offerings on various topics including youth mental health, addiction forums, mind/body/spirit classes, grief support and more. We’ve had the opportunity to host William Cope Moyers, Jane Pauley and other subject experts to share their knowledge and encouragement.

Check out our website – www.1lamb.org – With over 8,000 hits just this year, it is packed full of resources – interviews, educational articles, upcoming events and how to receive support.

We are excited to announce a collaboration with The Carter Center in 2024 to bring leaders together from all faith communities to hear from experts on how faith and spirituality significantly improve mental wellness. It is our dream for ALL places of faith to create a mental wellness initiative, and we stand ready to help make this a reality.

Thank you for your loyalty to One Lamb, and we hope you will continue to support our efforts for a healthier community. Please scroll down to learn more about our upcoming events, resources, and mental wellness support.

Sincerely,

Diane Moffett

Founder

Change Your Story, Change Your Life: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 14:46:54 GMT

CHANGE YOUR STORY, CHANGE YOUR LIFE -

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

A Women's Event with Dr. Linda Buchanan

Sunday, October 22, 530pm. Peachtree Road UMC Hospitality Suite

If you could rethink your personal story in a new way, how could you change your life? Could it heal past hurts? Perhaps change your relatiobship with yourself? Come find freedom in truth at thie special workshop for women.

Women Alone Together - Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 19:24:26 GMT

Women Alone Together - Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

"Women Alone Together" is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing confidence, kinship and education to women who are "alone" by choice or by circumstance. Ron Greer will speak Sunday, November 11 at 10AM in the Hospitality Suite on his new book, The Quiet House . RSVP at WomenAloneTogether.org

Alcohol Facts: Abuse or Addiction: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 16:24:08 GMT

ALCOHOL FACTS: Abuse or Addiction -

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Sunday, October 15 at 6PM, Hospitali ty Suite

New Paragraph

Mindful Art - St. Luke's Presbyterian - Dunwoody, GA

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 15:26:00 GMT

Mindful Art

at Saint Luke's Presbyterian Church,

1978 Mount Vernon Road

Atlanta, Ga.

Mindful Art

Come engage in activities that focus more on the creative process than the final product. The invitation is to create art in a way where we “collaborate with chance” and embrace how our creative impulses unfold. This is a good time to be present and aware of our breathing, thoughts and emotions.

Wednesdays from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm,

September 6 – November 15
Room 203 @ SLPC – Supplies Provided

Wednesdays from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

October 11 – November 8
Room 203 @ SLPC – Supplies Provided

No registration required.

Saint Luke’s Presbyterian is located at 1978 Mount Vernon Road. Please enter from Manhasset side at main lobby double doors.

Death And Life | Marcia Gaddis

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 14:52:44 GMT

Death separates us. Death draws us together.

As people of faith, death asks us to come together and celebrate life. It asks us to remember the good of the deceased. As people of faith, it requires worship of us. Death asks us, very quietly, to love one another in hope and trust and faith – today. Death heals and comforts and amazingly, oftentimes, does it better than life.

Death keeps us real.

Is it because in life, we try to find our way on our own, often unwilling to think about death? We have faith, but we also have our minds made up about how we should live, how we should respond. But we get diverted. Self always gets in the way of faith. And Self is blind-sided when Death comes in and draws a line and says, “You have no control anymore. Now what do you say?” And then we must accept the reality of life and death. Then we must recognize the illusion under which we reside. The illusion that we can make our lives a certain way or we can manage the length of our lives if we are smart, careful, and health conscious. We can do everything right, but we have no control over death.

Henri Nouwen speaks of this as the third movement of the Christian life. (The first movement is from loneliness to solitude; the second movement is from hostility to hos pitality.) This third movement is from the illusion that life is not what we thought it would be to a life of prayer. A life of prayer that says, “Thy will be done.”

That does not mean that we sit down and wait to die. Other passages in scripture instruct us to work. “Serve the Lord with gladness”, “Work as unto the Lord”, “Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.” And while we work at our jobs, we can maintain a servant heart for those around us. And while we work and love others, we begin to learn we are not our own, but we belong to a heavenly Father who loves us and is watching us as we make our way to the day we will die.

These three movements, for the Christian, become living and active as we contemplate their rich meanings in the face of death:

From loneliness to solitude is the movement where we discover that we are loved by a great God. It is in solitude we come close to our Savior. We never need fear being alone (or facing death) because in trusting Jesus Christ, we have this friend and Savior who is always with us – every day on this earth and into Eternity when we die. There is never a day without the faithful friendship of Jesus for those who trust in Him. And in trusting, we can look death in the face and know it does not have the final say. It is what gives the griever hope.
From hostility to hospitality helps us to discover that as a believer, we can let go of the insecurities we cling to in this life. And when we let go, there is room for loving others richly, without conditions or criticisms. We can forgive and grow. We can, in fact, be hospitable. Certainly, when we first face our mortality or that of a loved one, we are hostile – we rage, fret, scream “No!” to a seemingly absent God. But as we focus on solitude with God, we do learn to trust God and let go of our own desires. We find we can actually reach out to others and help them in their sorrows.
From illusion to prayer frees us to ultimately laugh at our humanness. We discover we are so very out of control – really. But in our “out-of-control-ness” we are freed to trust in the One who calms all our fears, comforts us in our weaknesses, and strengthens us for duty. We find we can turn our prayers to our Lord and trust Him. No matter what. It begins with the solitude, which molds our hearts toward our heavenly Father. The more we gaze into God’s eyes, God’s teaching, God’s love, we depend more on God and less on ourselves. We rely on something greater – even while our heart is breaking as we grieve.

And when Death does come, we won’t feel lonely. We won’t feel hostile. We will know that this life is not what we thought all along, but a preparation ground for a new life – rich in prayer and worship of an almighty, eternal, and loving God. We can confidently proclaim, “Thy will be done.” That does not mean that we sit down and wait to die. Other passages in scripture instruct us to work. “Serve the Lord with gladness”, “Work as unto the Lord”, “Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.” And while we work at our jobs, we can maintain a servant heart for those around us. And while we work and love others, we begin to learn we are not our own, but we belong to a heavenly Father who loves us and is watching us as we make our way to the day we will die.

Seeing Eye Girl by Beverly Armento

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 18:34:45 GMT

Seeing Eye Girl by Beverly Armento

September 9th at 10am -

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church Hospitality Suite

3180 Peachtree Road

Atlanta, Ga 30305

For more information and to register, go to WOMEN ALONE TOGETHER- www.womenalonetogether.org

Beverly Armento will present her memoir, Seeing Eye Girl: A Memoir of Madness, Resilience, and Hope. She looks honestly at her difficult life growing up with a blind mother who was mentally disturbed and who also abused her. As a child, Beverly had to find her own way and survive. Her teachers at school gave her confidence. In turn, Beverly devoted her life’s work to the study of education and mental health. She earned a Ph.D. and is now Professor Emerita from Georgia State University. The emphasis of this discussion will be mental health among our youth. You will not want to miss this program.

Let's Talk - Raising Our Children for Mental Wellness!

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:58:42 GMT

LET'S TALK:Raising Our Children For Mental Wellness!

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Heritage Hall 10:00am

Moderator: Andrea Petsche Director, The Preschool PRUMC

Panelists:

* Kelli Bynum - Director of Counseling Services, The Mount Vernon School

* Andrea DeWalt - PhD Psychologist Pastoral Counseling Service PRUMC

* Morgan DiOrio - LPC, NCc

* Janet Street-A Parent and Director of Teacher Training/Reading Specialist at Schenck School

"The Quiet House" by Ron Greer

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 19:28:04 GMT

The Quiet House by Ron Greer

Endorsements:

“After a lifetime of faithful, compassionate pastoral counseling, Ron Greer now guides us through one of life’s greatest challenges: the loss of someone we love. I predict that this will become the book that we pastors will give to those who walk through the valley.”

Will Willimon, United Methodist Bishop, retired, Professor of the Practice of Ministry, Duke Divinity School

“The Quiet House offers us something incredibly helpful – reflections by a married partner who lost his spouse of almost fifty years. In these pages, we remember what it means to be fully alive, to love, and to be loved. The Quiet House will shine a ray of God’s light upon your soul.”

Bill Britt, Senior Minister, Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia

“Ron Greer writes like not only the wise therapist he is but also like a poet, choosing words carefully, making you want to read many sentences one more time. His journey may be unique, but the heart of it is universal, helping you see that you are not alone. In sharing about his own loss, he encourages us to surrender to a healthy grieving process which can lead to wholeness, if we let God and others in.”

Claire O. Bowen, HR Specialist

“In The Quiet House, Ron Greer describes the awful life of grief and its painful grasp. He offers his readers the sure knowledge of the grace and peace that is possible.”

Bill Curry, retired NFL player and motivational speaker

“The Quiet House is a must-read for widows and widowers and all of us who know them, work with them, or love them. As a seasoned counselor, Ron Greer combines that expertise with his own painful journey through the loss of his beloved wife. As a grief counselor, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.”

Judy Wolfe, MDiv, CT, BCC

“As a pastor I often hear from grieving spouses that the house is so quiet. Ron Greer writes honestly about his own experience of a house that is strangely quiet with grief. He bears witness to his own story of loss while opening a space for our stories to be heard. His pastoral counselor hat is shifted slightly to reveal the shape and contours of grief and loss incarnate in his own journey. He then offers practices that can help us discover that our different life is still full and good.”

Karen Kagiyama, O. Wayne Rollins Director of Pastoral Care, Wesley Woods Senior Living

Lessons From The Valley

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 16:20:49 GMT

Lessons From The Valley

Sunday, September 24,

10am

Sanctuary

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Speaker Ron Greer

Lessons from the Valley:

What we learn in Times of Loss

Some of our most valuable life lessons come from our struggle or heartache, as our journey takes us into the shadows of the valley. Ron Greer will be using the publication of his new book , The Quiet House: Reflections on the Loss of a Spouse, as a springboard to focus on the topic of grief - of how healing and restoration can come from engaging in the morning of our significant losses. The theme of this time together isn't about death and dying but life and living – living on, as we travel through the valley and then into the world that lies beyond.

Young Adult: A Conversation With Doug Hurd

prumconelamb@gmail.com (Mace Hall) — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 15:36:18 GMT

Young Adult - Conversation with Doug Hurd from Skyland Trail

Young Adult: A Conversation With Doug Hurd

The event will be held on Sunday, September 24th at 6 PM at PRUMC's Hospitality Suite.

Topics include how to help yourself through periods of heightened anxiety/depression as well as how to recognize signs of struggle and help a peer going through mental health struggles.

Friend to Friend

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 21:02:58 GMT

FRIEND TO FRIEND SUPPORT:

Connecting persons with shared experiences

The following is an example of a caring, confidential, supportive "friend" who is part of the Friend to Friend Ministry:

I am a friend.

Willing to listen, empathize, and encourage.

My title as friend comes from a journey I would never choose.

My child suffered and so I, as a parent, suffered too.

That middle part between the past and the present was chock full of complete grief, confusion, fear, learning, and growing pains; two steps forward, one step back.

But, today, I am on the other side and now I can be a friend to someone whose story is like mine.

I am a confidential, understanding, and a compassionate survivor who is as approachable as a friend should be.

I am here when you need me.

If you think connecting to a person through the Friend to Friend Ministry would help you, click here on Friend to Friend and fill out a confidential request form.

Young Adult: Out of Your Minds

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 19:10:29 GMT

Young Video: Out of Your Mind

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Resiliency Discussion with Ron Greer

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:46:14 GMT

The nature of our lives – while they are filled with blessings – there are times of heartache, suffering and even trauma. How to respond with resiliency to these events will be the focus of this video discussion led by Ron Greer.

Resiliency is the capacity to respond to challenges, to recover from difficulties, to heal from heartaches. It means more than just survive – but to come back, to heal.

As we come back from our struggles, as we heal, we may discover we even come back to stronger for having been there. Thus, we grow deeper and wiser. The discussion focuses on the possibility of how life's inevitable ordeals, actually strengthen us for the challenges ahead.

https://youtu.be/JzkkpJR_r9g

Facing heroin addiction head on: An interview with Karen and Frank Boykin

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 16:04:06 GMT

An interview with Karen and Frank Boykin discussing their son Stephen's addiction story and battle with heroin.

Parenting is not for the faint of heart. Children, no matter how hard you try or how much you do, come into this world with the genetic predispositions and, ultimately, wills of their own. Even the most focused, nurturing and intentional parents can have a child who faces scary, life-threatening problems. Karen and Frank Boykin are model, loving parents, who are very involved in providing the best upbringing for their two children. Even so, their son Stephen fell prey to the terrible battle of addiction.

In this candid, heart-wrenching interview by Rev. Mace Hall, you will hear a tale of woe but also a tale of utter love and hope, followed by redemption and success as the Boykins stood side-by-side with Stephen to help him achieve sobriety.

Bryan Stickney – Addiction

Mon, 29 May 2023 16:16:49 GMT

Bryan Stickney – Addiction

PRUMC members Mace Hall and Bryan Stickney have an in-depth and personal conversation about addiction. Like many youth, Bryan slipped into behaviors that seemed normal in his peer group. Freedom in college led to behaviors becoming habits. He discusses the hard work done by him and his family to come through and how he began his journey as a therapist during recovery.

Ally May – Addiction

Mon, 29 May 2023 16:10:31 GMT

Ally May - Addiction

PRUMC members Mace Hall and Ally May have an in-depth and personal conversation about addiction. Ally describes the ebbs and flows of her personal journey and touches on some factors that increase the likelihood of addictive patterns, which are unique to each person.

Video of An Evening With William Cope Moyers

Wed, 24 May 2023 16:29:07 GMT

Video “An Evening With William Cope Moyers”

If you missed this powerful event, please take some time to view the recorded video of An Evening with William Cope Moyers. Get an inside look at the world of addiction and how a new network is providing support and solutions to a problem that touches all of us – whether we are aware of it or not.

Book Review “Broken: My Story Of Addiction And Redemption” | Claire Bowen

Wed, 24 May 2023 16:25:34 GMT

Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption
By William Cope Moyers
Book Review by Claire Bowen

In October 1994, William Cope Moyers was flat on his back on the floor of an Atlanta crack house. His father, veteran journalist Bill Moyers, had put together a search party while his desperate family waited at home, where he had abandoned them three days earlier. Many times before, his life had unraveled from the effects of marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol binges, but it was his crack addiction and relapse, he remembers, that caused his father to look into the eyes of his firstborn son and utter the words “I hate you.” He answered “I hate me too.”

Today, William Cope Moyers has been sober for 28 years. He is the vice president of public affairs and community relations for Hazelden Betty Ford based in Minnesota, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people recover from alcoholism and other drug addiction. He uses his own experiences to carry the message about addiction and recovery into the public arena, and he reaches out to addicted people and their families who need help.

In Broken, Moyers tells the story of a love affair with alcohol and crack cocaine that led him to the brink of death over and over again. A harrowing account, it paints a picture of a young man with every advantage who found himself spiraling into a dark abyss. Battling shame and self-doubt at every turn, the author finally emerges into the clear light of recovery as he dedicates his life to changing the politics of addiction. He urges others like himself to speak out and battle against the stigma that keeps many addicts from seeking recovery. Moyers’ story is a missive of hope for millions of Americans struggling with addiction, and an honest and inspiring account that is both wrenching and ultimately redemptive. He will convince you of the truth “addiction is not a moral failing, but a disease.”

Journeying through Dementia

Mon, 08 May 2023 20:39:45 GMT

Journeying Through Dementia

In this video experts in the field explain the stages of dementia and how to care for someone suffering with this disease.

SEEN and LOVE: Helping Teens with Depression and Anxiety

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 17:53:05 GMT

Dr. Chinwe Williams

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Brain On Fire

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:07:54 GMT

Dr. Bill McDonald, Chief of Psychiatric Services for Emory Healthcare, Chair of Psychiatry of Emory Brain Center, and Chair of Fuqua Center for Late-Life Depression and Jocelyn Chen Wise, LCSW, MPH Program Director of Fuqua Center for Late-Life Depression as they discuss reducing stigma and understanding the science, causes, and obtainable treatment for depression in this presentation, "Brain on Fire", offering by The One Lamb Initiative, a mental health ministry at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GANew Paragraph

Dr. Cathy Snapp

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:16:43 GMT

Dr. Cathy Snapp -

The Nuroplasticity of Our Brains : How we thin k and act helps to shape our mental health and spiritual growth .

Neuroscientist Dr. Cathy Snapp will weave the strong connection of brain function with spiritual growth. This presentation is offered through The One Lamb Initiative, a mental wellness ministry at Peachtree Road United Methodist church.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Seen & Loved

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 17:24:10 GMT

Seen & Loved

Sunday, February 12th, 10:00 AM, PRUMC

The One Lamb Initiative & PRUMC Youth Ministry jointly present best-selling author, international speaker, mental health consultant, and local counselor Dr. Chinwé Williams to speak between worship services on Youth Sunday presenting a message of inspiration and motivation for helping young people feel seen and loved through the power of connection.

SEEN written by Will Hutcherson & Chinwe Williams, PH.D

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 17:03:20 GMT

SEEN written by Will Hutcherson & Chinwe Williams, PH.D

Reviewed by John Monroe

This book is short and insightful. It addresses the difficult subject of depression, despair, and suicide amongst young adults. As the news continues to report, the numbers of teens suffering from mental illness continues to rise. According to the authors, the largest increase in suicide rates is in the 10-14 year old range.

I appreciated the book’s discussion about brain development and despair. The scientific explanation of adolescent brains helped me to better understand how depression and anxiety create a brain spiraling out of control into despair. In young adults, if these conditions persist without notice or assistance, they often turn to self harm as a pain reliever.

I found this book to be very relevant to what is happening in today’s young adult population and as a father, I much appreciated the realistic action points the book details. My main take-away from the book is actually in the title…Seen. We as parents, care-givers, friends, and community leaders need to spend time “seeing” kids. Much of “seeing” actually involves listening and being physically present with your young adult. There are forms of communicating and questions that can help each of us better determine the current state of mind of our kids.

If you are not schooled in counseling or mental health, but are a concerned parent, family member or teacher, I heartily recommend this book as a tool to better equip you with practices for dealing with teens and children.

Meditations | Martha Tate

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 22:31:54 GMT

Meditations | Martha Tate

Martha Tate, in partnership with the One Lamb Initiative, will offer a fresh guided meditation to assist you in your worship, study, and prayer life. These brief guided meditations are designed to help you center down into the stillness, to calm your body and quiet the chatter so that you can hear the still, small voice of God calling you into relationship. Four times in October, these audio meditations will be emailed and made available here.

10.16 | The Science Of Renewing The Mind With Dr. Cathy Snapp

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 22:20:42 GMT

The Science of Renewing the Mind with Dr. Cathy Snapp
Sunday, October 16, 10:00 am, Heritage Hall

Dr. Cathy Snapp is Campus Director of Behavioral Health for the Medical College of Georgia’s AU/UGA Medical Partnership. She is very well known to us a co-author of The Hidden Life Awakened and key presenter at our Awake to Wholeness Retreat. Dr. Snapp will return to Peachtree Road to offer more powerful tools, teachings, and practices integrating science and spirituality.

Join us to:

Explore the spiritual science of renewing the mind
Recognize positive emotion as a driver of well-being
Learn evidenced-based skills for building your capacity for peace, joy, love, and empowerment

Healing and Hope with Iris Bolton

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 22:09:47 GMT

Healing and Hope with Iris Bolton
A Conversation on Grief After Death, Loss, and Suicide
Sunday, September 25, 12:15 – 2:30 pm, Hospitality Suite

Iris Bolton is uniquely qualified professionally and personally to offer hope to those who have lost loved ones by death, loss, and suicide. After the tragic death through the suicide of her 20-year-old son in 1977, Iris and her family were catapulted into a grief process that was excruciatingly painful and ultimately healing and transformative.

As a mental health counselor, Iris then devoted the ensuing decades of her professional training, counseling, and speaking to helping others as they deal with and heal through grief.

Iris is currently an international lecturer and consultant who offers hope to people bereaved by death, loss, and suicide. She is Director Emeritus of The Link Counseling Center, Atlanta, Georgia, where she served as full-time Director for 36 years.

Iris has authored 3 books:

My Son…My Son… A Guide to Healing After Death, Loss or Suicide
Voices of Healing and Hope: Conversations on Grief after Suicide
The Little Book on Grief: Concerns to Consider (with Kit Casey)

We welcome Iris to our Peachtree Road family and are honored and grateful to receive the grace and wisdom she offers. Lunch will be provided. RSVP coming soon to prumc.org.

“When The World Is No Longer Normal” | Dr. Mark Crawford

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 22:03:03 GMT

Video “When The World Is No Longer Normal” | Dr. Mark Crawford

A video presentation by Mark E. Crawford, Ph.D. In addition to his outpatient practice, Dr. Crawford is a consulting psychologist to the Westminster Schools and to Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. From 2003 – 2008 he was the team psychologist for the Atlanta Hawks Basketball team. He continues to consult with professional athletes and professional sports organizations. He is regularly requested as a speaker to churches, parent groups, professional groups, organizations, and schools.

Don’t Worry Be Happy: The Age Of Anxiety | Martha Tate

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 21:57:51 GMT

“Don’t Worry~Be Happy”
The Age of Anxiety
Martha M. Tate, LCSW

If you read the first line of this title and felt like throwing a tomato at me, chances are you may be struggling along with 40 million Americans with some form of anxiety. Anxiety is a complex issue, parading itself in many lives along a continuum from simple to severe. “In normal amounts, anxiety is healthy, adaptive, crucial for survival and often leads to greater productivity and enhanced performance. When daily anxiety is excessively high, however it can interfere with functioning.” Elke-Auercher-White, PhD.

The good news is, there is help. The better news is, the recommended methods of healing are salubrious to anyone, anxiety sufferer or not, who wants to create health and harmony in a busy life. Solutions are not as simple as “Don’t Worry~Be Happy”. They are far more engaging and rewarding!

What is Anxiety?

From Latin augere: to choke or throttle

“The only awful sound she heard in her ears was the pounding of her own racing heart and the wheezing of her shallow breath. Her sweating palms and tremulous voice were more difficult to disguise than were the fearful voices running amuck in her head reminding her of the imminent dangers and necessary remedies. Those she could cloak. She had done it for years. What she hated most were the sudden sensations of unreality, like she was watching life and neither in it, nor in her own body. These moments intruded fleetingly, out of the blue. Who knew when they would come? That was the worst part.”

If this passage describes the experience of one facing a Bengal tiger, the symptoms would serve physical survival. It describes, instead, a woman suffering with fear, anxiety, and panic. Nature, with her eye on preservation of the species, brilliantly equips us with this panic reaction in the face of life-threatening danger. In modern life, where Bengal tigers are few, we continue to experience this fight or flight response. We do so now as we face the stresses of modern life: a lingering pandemic, political and financial upheaval, and existential uncertainty. The physiological wiring for protection is denied its physical release in modern society. Instead, it doubles back on itself, leaving us with the uncomfortable symptoms of anxiety.

Fear and anxiety are kissing cousins. “Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat.” DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders)

We define them as negative or positive depending on whether they help us or hurt us. Fear helps us to recognize danger and impels us to protect ourselves. Anxiety motivates us to work hard, concentrate attention on the task at hand, and to problem solve. Anxiety becomes problematic when it is excessive and thwarts our ability to think and perform life’s duties. Also, when it occurs “out of the bule” in response to no logical or obvious trigger it is foe, not friend. Its evolutionary roots, however, are friendly.

Physiology of Fear/Anxiety

It can be helpful to understand what is going on in our bodies when fear and anxiety are rampant. What we understand, we can master and harness for our own good. The physiology of fear and stress goes like this.

Something troublesome happens in our world sphere that captures our attention, either consciously or unconsciously. The brain then kicks into action as a tiny almond shaped organ called the amygdala, known as the fear center of our brains, activates another small organ called the hypothalamus. In the relay system of stress, the hypothalamus sends a signal to the autonomic nervous system, which regulates respiration, circulation, digestion, and body temperature. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is comprised of the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The SNS excites the body and prepares it for the flight/fight response. The PNS relaxes bodily functions and creates the relaxation response. These two arms of the ANS operate in relative dominance like a see-saw. When one is up, the other is down.

When fear stimulates the SNS, the ensuing reaction is a very rapid cascade of nervous-system firings and release of stress hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. This causes an increase in heat rate and a redistribution of blood to the large muscles and a decreased flow to skin hands and feet, GI tract and kidneys. Increased blood flows to extremities causes numbness or tingling. The lungs respond by breathing heavier and faster, supplying extra oxygen to the muscle tissues. Sweating cools the body and prevents it from over-heating. The adrenaline secreted increases concentration and alertness. The incredible correlation of neuro-endocrine systems creates the necessary state of arousal. Before adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol reach harmful levels, other chemicals destroy them and the PNS activates in order to restore balance to the mind-body.

This is the mechanism of the famous fight/flight or stress response. Our fortunate ancestors, faced with Bengal tigers and physical survival, got to see the process through to the end.

We, facing a pandemic, lockdowns, and health concerns for ourselves and loved ones, are not so fortunate. Our threats are of a different nature. And, the natural ways we soothe and restore; person to person visits, hugs, in person church services, school and work communities, are temporarily off limits. We can get stuck in the muck and mire of undischarged stress response.

Call it anxiety.

We suffer.

Anxiety vs. Fear

In truth, our aforementioned primitive ancestors were dealing with fear, which we now differentiate from its more complex cousin, anxiety.

“Anxiety is related to fear, but is distinct. Whereas fear is concrete and imminent, anxiety is, as neuroscientist Grillon says, ‘sustained uncertainty. It is a chronic sense of uneasiness about a vague future, a gnawing worry about what may or may not happen.’” - Andrea Petersen

“Fear is about something that is in front of you that is predictable and imminent. Anxiety is the opposite. It is worrying about something that is in the future that may not happen.” - Grillon

Dr. Joseph LeDoux beautifully clarifies this process,

“Anxiety happens when thoughts interact with this threat-defense mechanism. While our body goes into flight or fight mode, our mind conjures catastrophe and dredges up memories of peril. The result is the conscious experience of anxiety.”

When is Anxiety a Problem?

Mae West said, “Too much of a good thing is great!” Not so with anxiety. Just enough anxiety focuses our attention, highlights important problems, and motivates us towards action. Excessive anxiety is paralyzing and creates havoc in mind-body-spirit.

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent of mental health disorders. And, they come in differing varieties. The DSM-5 defines and describes 11 different anxiety disorders stating, “The anxiety disorders differ from one another in the types of objects or situations that induce fear, anxiety, or avoidance behavior and the associated cognitive ideation (thoughts).”

Central to all, though, is the experience of fear, worry, and dread.

“It is as if the anxious brain were always scanning the horizon for danger.” - Andrea Petersen

One in three Americans over the age of 13 will experience an anxiety disorder. 40% of women will. In 2016 the American College of Health Association reported that 17% of college students will be diagnosed or seek treatment for anxiety in a given year. Covid-19 concerns increased the suffering. A recent study at a large university found that 71% of the student study reported significant increases in stress and anxiety due to covid-19. Anxiety, already the most prevalent of mental health challenges, is exacerbated by the pandemic and can be a gateway diagnosis to depression, substance abuse, and suicide.

It is also very amenable to treatment and good outcome!

Generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, specific phobia, social anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia all fall under the umbrella of anxiety disorders. Each of these problems will be highlighted separately in ensuing articles.

Basically, when the fear and anticipation of harm in ordinary life becomes out of proportion, longer lasting, and interferes with comfort in daily life, anxiety has become a problem.

Taming The Tiger
Calming Anxiety

Imagine this. Your anxiety is like a heard of two-year-olds running rampant through your body without discipline, hyped up on sugar and undirected energy. Your job is to manage them with lovingkindness, firmness, and structure. The goal is to harness and direct the energy so that they can be the delightful, energetic, well behaved children that they are capable of being. To do so you will need to reestablish nap times (so that their PNS can reestablish the balance of rest); provide prescribed times for work, play, and rest; respond to their emotional and nutritional needs; and teach them how to get along with each other.

Maybe all we do need to know we did learn in kindergarten!

Whether you need to get control of excessive anxiety or simply need to manage life a little better, REAP is a good guideline.

Recognize and accept your feelings. Know the symptoms of anxiety so that when they occur, you can identify them early. You may have all or a few. They are:

R apid heart rate; shortness of breath; feeling of unreality; sweaty palms; voice shaking; fatigue; restlessness; dizziness; burst of adrenaline; insomnia; difficulty concentrating or mind going blank; irritability; muscle tension; sleep disturbance; excessive worry; avoidance of situations that frighten you.

E valuate anxiety and the thoughts contributing to it. Think about your feelings. Are they proportionate to the events? Would others agree? How strong is your anxiety? Is there anything you can do about the distressing events?

A ct. Do something. Learn relaxation techniques such as breath work. Contemplative Prayer. Meditation. Yoga. Progressive muscle relaxation. Exercise. Play. Face something you’ve been avoiding. Decrease caffeine, refined sugars, and additives that cause flashes of anxiety. Learn assertiveness skills, taking charge and saying, “no”. Seek help from a mental heath professional, physician, or clergy who can suggest a helping professional.

P revent anxiety by assuming some lifestyle changes that increase long term peace of mind. Build social supports that are open and honest. Take the time to enjoy them. Maintain a regular program of aerobic exercise and relaxation/meditation practices. Do stress inoculation by mentally rehearsing positive outcomes to troublesome situations. Seek the mental health care and support that you need to help you on your journey through anxiety.

Anxiety is triggered by a perceived inability to cope with a situation and the body’s chemical response to this belief. By increasing your psychological heartiness, your spiritual connection, and your ability to calm your body, you greatly increase your ability to enjoy peace of mind.

What else can you do?

Funny you should ask.

Humor is scientifically proven to reduce stress. Dr. William Fry of Stanford University states that humor decreased physical stress and is antithetical to rage and hostility.

Norman Cousins, when diagnosed with connective tissue disease and ankylosing spondylitis, researched the biochemistry of human emotions, which he long believed were the key to human beings’ success in fighting illness. With a 1 in 500 chance of recovery, Cousins developed his own treatment protocol which included self-induced bouts of laughter by watching the TV show Candid Camera and other comic films. Cousin says, “I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep”. The neuropeptide beta-endorphin released in laughter is nature’s morphine for reducing pain and tension.

Laughter and play exercise the lungs, stimulate circulatory system and increase oxygen in the blood. Dr. Lee Berk reports that laughter aids the immune system by reducing cortisol (stress hormone). It shifts perspective and decreases blame, judgement, and self-pity.

So…take your funniest friend to lunch!

When to Consider Medication

Numerous studies show that behavioral therapies such as counseling and psychotherapy are effective at creating long term changes in our brains and thereby emotional patterns. Medications also have their place in the treatment of anxiety. The use of psychotropic medications is a wise choice for many in their self-care regimes. Some anxiety sufferers require long term, perhaps lifetime, use of medication to quell their anxiety. Others may use it until different types of therapy have altered their pattern of anxiety sufficiently and peace of mind is possible without medication. Either way, there is no shame in giving our brains the nutrients needed to support our well-being.

We are fortunate to live in a time when many forms of healing help are available.

Wounds as Windows

“ Anxiety is a doorway into a self that longs for wholeness.” - Sheryl Paul

Each of us has a wound of some sort. A place of hurt that seems to interfere with our well-being. Many of us have come to realize that these very wounds can be windows into our souls. That we can experience God in these broken places where deep healing can begin. We then become wounded healers, able to offer ourselves as invitation to others who desire to embark on the hero’s journey of healing.

“For anxiety is both the wound and the messenger, and at the core of the message is an invitation to wake up.”

When we look, we can see that;

“Anxiety is evidence of our sensitive heart, our imaginative mind, and our soul’s desire to grow toward wholeness. It is an invitation from the wellsprings of being to turn inward and heal at the next layer of growth.” - Sheryl Paul

Your life, dear reader, is your journey. May you travel it well, finding the health and wholeness you seek. And then, from the bounty of your expanded soul, pay it forward to your fellow sojourners.

So, here’s to your health and happiness. And…to your journey towards that enviable peace that sings:

“Don’t worry. Be happy.”

Book Review + Video “Unwinding Anxiety”

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 21:48:04 GMT

Book Review + Video “Unwinding Anxiety”

Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer, MD, PhD

The title of this book caught my attention, realizing that we are living through one of the most anxious periods of our time. Dr. Brewer’s title, UNWINDING ANIXIETY, is a visual image of unwinding habits which trigger anxiety attacks. The book is divided into the following four parts, beginning with Part 0.

Part 0 explains how the brain works and the way anxiety develops. The explanation of fight/flight/freeze physiology and self-awareness helps in understanding anxiety. Each chapter deals with specific issues on how the brain works.

Part 1 basically gives tools on how to map your behavior and to recognize triggers, behavior, and results. The Behavioral Tendency Quiz reveals a person’s general behavior and how mindfulness and meditation help. Again, the author focuses on self-awareness.

Part 2 gives an understanding of the brain’s reward system and deals with established habits, learning from the past and how to change your habits. This part reinforces the awareness of which habits are unrewarding and which are rewarding. Being aware will support a new attitude and openness for change.

Part 3 begins with the value of curiosity. The more one seeks to understand personal behavior and are curiously exploring their habits and reactions, the greater the ability to change. This last part notes the importance of breathing, love, kindness, and resolution. The importance of the eyes in handling anxiety is interesting. The above is a quick summation of UNWINDING ANXIETY. The book would appeal to those who are searching to understand personal anxiety or the anxiety of another. The book is excellent for developing and changing habits, but one must have the desire to do the work. It is not an easy read and is most helpful if read slowly. It is informative for a study group but tedious for a lay person. Dr. Brewer’s expertise in explaining the challenges of “unwinding anxiety” is beautifully written with scientific data and clinically proven techniques.

Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled | Mace Hall

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 21:44:14 GMT

Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled | Mace Hall

Forever, hula hooping and worry will be linked in my mind. The genesis of both happened on the same day, born within minutes of each other…. TWINS. I was maybe eight or nine years old. My entire family was spending Memorial Day weekend at my grandparents’ home on Lake Sinclair. Aunts, uncles, cousins were all there. It was my favorite way to spend a long weekend.

In middle Georgia, it was already hot and buggy by the start of June. So, we’d get up early to fish, go out in the boat to ski and ride around during the hottest part of the day. My grandmother always had a basket of fried cornbread pancakes and deep friend chicken and cornmeal crusted bacon for us to grab on the go throughout the day. Then, we’d sit out on the dock late into the night to fish again and I’d get to listen to the adults cutting up telling stories.

Not a worry on the world is how I’d describe these trips – completely carefree. One afternoon, my Aunt Mary decided to teach my cousin Marjorie and me how to hula-hoop. It was the 70s and Mary always dressed like a hippie. She had on her cut off jeans and halter top and was showing us how to swing our hips in just the right motion so that the hula hoop wouldn’t fall. It took me while, but eureka! I got it!

I ran inside to tell whomever I could find about my exciting new talent. There, in the family room, sat my great Aunt Jane all by herself. I exclaimed, “Aunt Jane, Aunt Jane, come out side. You’ve got to see me hula hoop.” In her south Georgia accent, she sweetly replied, “Honey, I can’t right now. I’m worrying.” And, immediately, hula hooping’s twin, Worry, was born.

In the years to come, I discovered that worry wasn’t simply an emotional state. It was more of an activity, a sport of sort. One in which nearly all the women (and some of the men) in my family, participated, regularly. It was as if they worried enough, they could worry the problem away. Even though worrying was time consuming, exhausting and frustrating, the people I love most allowed worry to worm its way into the fabric of their lives.

Now, as an adult, I work hard to not worry. I’m not saying that I never worry. I have 3 teen/young adult children, so worrying comes with the territory. But when I find myself obsessively fretting over a situation, I remind myself that repeatedly the Bible says “Do not fear,” “Do not be anxious.” I believe God is telling us that our fears and anxieties rob us of time, of possibility, of hope, of joy.

God created us with vast ability and resilience. Instead of worrying, ask, “Is this worth worrying about?” Sometimes, we fret over the most trivial matters. If it is a true concern, try putting the worry energy into action. Pray for God to help find a solution. If no solution exists, then find a way to make peace with it. Remember, the difficult times in life are sacred, precious and transformative. For me, when life overwhelms, I remind myself that God never said it will be easy. Instead, God promises it will be worth it.

Reverend Mace Hall

Self Test “The Burns Anxiety Inventory”

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 21:41:11 GMT

Self Test “The Burns Anxiety Inventory”

The Burns Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is an assessment tool used to measure anxiety. Developed by psychiatrist David Burns, the inventory, or checklist, can be self-administered or administered by a clinician. It can help people to monitor their own anxiety over time, and to become more aware of anxious symptoms. It also aids clinicians in diagnosing anxiety disorders.

Fear Not? Is This Even Possible? | Mace Hall

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 21:37:16 GMT

Fear Not? Is This Even Possible? | Mace Hall

Fear Not? Is this even possible?

As my mother breathed her last few breaths, at only 54 years old, I quoted to her the Lord’s prayer followed by her favorite scripture t wice. I hoped that the familiar, calming words would peacefully usher her into the next life…. After 3 years of battling cancer and the suffering that accompanies it, all I wanted in the world was for her to have peace, some sense of peace, to not be afraid of what comes next.

Her favorite scripture was Isaiah 43:1-3. Since it references Israel and not my mother directly, I embellished the words to specifically sooth my dying mother. I said, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you. You are my precious, precious child and I am your God. You will walk through the waters, but you will not drown. You will pass through the fires, but you will not be consumed. For I am the Lord, your God, and you are my precious, beloved child.”

Mama loved that scripture in its original form. Hopefully, my spontaneous, newly crafted version was even more meaningful. I have thought about the meaning of those words often since her death 21 and a half years ago. See, my mother was a worrier. She had good reason. My father was not caring or supportive in the least. When he left, my brother and I were 11 and 15, respectively. So, my ill-equipped mother became solely responsible for raising us. Her first year, she made $6000 selling real estate. My father never paid a dime of child support

Peace eluded my mother for many years. She feared losing the house, her car, not being able to provide groceries.… But God promises that we are not to fear because no matter how difficult life is, we are protected. God is by our sides even in the midst of our greatest challenges. The things that cause us the most anxiety, the most worry are burdens easily assuaged by God’s comfort and peace. Faith reminds us that God’s way is the better way. All somewhat reassuring words to hear, but how does this play out in the reality of our stress, anxiety and worry? How do we keep from allowing our anxiety to consume us when many, if not most, of our worries are real concerns?

This is how my mother conquered her obsessive worrying. Ultimately, she learned to harness her worry. First, raising two teenagers alone was a huge undertaking. (My brother and I weren’t the easiest two:-) So, Mama got counseling for all 3 of us, so we could better navigate our “new normal.” She channeled her anxiety around finances into building a successful real estate career. She established routines that were healthy for her. She woke up early each day to plan her day, quietly drink her coffee and then garden a little before launching into her busy day. She rediscovered her huge (and mischievous) sense of humor. (It’s a wonder she didn’t get arrested with some of her crazy stunts.) She learned that when the world came raining down, it was better if she’d find something funny or positive about the situation.

We all get overwhelmed. We all worry. We all have fears. By the same token, we all have coping mechanisms. We all can find ways to channel our negative emotions. We can all establish healthy routines to help get through the rough times. And, we can all reach out for help. If you find yourself needing help, email prumconelamb@gmail.com . You can be paired with someone from our Friend -to -Friend ministry , a ministry which matches persons who have faced a similar life circumstance to provide a listening ear and support.

Our Wounds Are Our Windows | Martha Tate

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 16:01:36 GMT

Our Wounds Are Our Windows | Martha Tate

"Our own wounds can be vehicles for examining our essential natures, revealing the deepest textures of our hearts and souls, if only we will sit with them, open ourselves to the pain, and allow ourselves to be taught.” Wayne Muller

Each of us is gifted with our own woundedness.

We are also gifted with inner windows of perception through which we can peer, in order to discover healing and transformation.

We carry our individual wounds; the specific and personalized pain that plagues us and seems to interfere with our personal well-being and peace. Psychology refers to these as complexes, trauma wounds, or feeling states.

Yet, who among us naturally considers our wounds as windows? Perhaps even wonderful opportunities for growth?

They feel anything but wonderful. Certainly not opportunities.

Wounds are painful. In depression, we feel lost, lonely and without purpose. In anxious states we are racked with fear, foreboding, and relentless worry. In the aftermath of abuse, we are plagued with flashbacks and injuries to our sense of self that impact us in every facet of our lives. Divorce, death of loved ones, financial disaster; the list of life’s injuries is endless.

We experience theses injuries as hinderances. As attitudes and feelings that must be corrected and overcome if we are to find health and happiness. Books flood the marketplace and our consciousness offering a myriad of ways, even “evidenced based” ways, of overcoming and changing these obstacles.

As a therapist working daily with my clients and myself in the pursuit of psychological and emotional health, I value much of what this theory and research has to offer.

And yet, there is more.

Our wounds are our windows, if we allow them to be so. Pain is a part of life. If we partner with it, pain can become our professor, guiding us to the wisdom of our deeper souls. A dance partner whose rhythm moves us into a cadence of healing.

Wayne Muller, therapist and graduate of Harvard Divinity School, teaches us that; “Your challenge is not to keep trying to repair what is damaged. You need not repair, reconstruct, or remake yourself into someone else. Your practice is simply to reawaken what is already wise and strong, to claim what is deep and true within you, to rediscover your own intuition, to find your inner balance, and to reaffirm your intrinsic wholeness in the eyes of God.”

Isaiah, speaking for God in chapter 45 promises, “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”

Most of us need mentors to guide us in our search for these hidden treasures. Betty Skinner at age 95 has aged into a modern-day Christian mystic. Her life is chronicled by two lifelong disciples, Dr. Cathy Snapp and Kitty Crenshaw in their beautiful book, The Hidden Life Awakened, in which they share the story of Betty’s journey out of major depression and into the light of life of joy, freedom, and purpose.

Betty blesses us with reflections on her vision through the window of her woundedness into the Light. “As I look back on my life’s journey-and retrospect is such a beautiful view-I have learned that, just as the mist of our uncertainty coalesces and then opens us to glimpses of brilliant hope and vision, so too our times of darkness and pain reveal and illuminate the mystery and beauty of our true self hidden within. Faith is a pilgrimage of the heart, a walk in the dark. It is an endless letting go toward the Light. Faith carries us along on a tide of God’s promises beyond the mire and desolation of our own despair. It is God ringing our hearts like a bell, a holy summons asking us to take the next step into the unknowing.”

We are an Easter People.

As Christians, we have just moved through our Easter season, deeply embedded in remembrance of Jesus’ journey through immense woundedness: betrayal, insult, extreme cruelty, and death. We see Jesus embracing his woundedness for the sake of the resurrection he valued so much more. We look through the window of his wounds and see the resurrected Christ. The one whose power was released into a second life of transcendent blessing.

“There is always resurrection behind each of life’s crucifixions, if we will but look.” Ron Greer

Our aim in the One Lamb Initiative is to support you in this healing journey, to increase understanding about the myriad of ways we are challenged as human beings and our vast opportunities for healing. Towards that end, we will be offering you informative articles on anxiety, depression, ADHD, suicide, and other mental wellness issues derived from the literature of psychology, science, and theology. You will hear live and recorded testimonials from brave, struggling people who are willing to share their growth experiences. Professionals from the healing arts will share their wisdom and expertise. We will provide you with book reviews and other resources.

We offer all of this because we truly believe that our wounds are our windows. And, that through joining together, we can bolster the courage to step up on the footstools at the window of our wounds, peer through them and, as the old Spiritual sings, “Open up the window~let the dove fly in.”

Martha Tate, LCSW

The Six Health Benefits Of Volunteering

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:55:28 GMT

The Six Health Benefits Of Volunteering

Volunteers make an immeasurable difference in the lives of others. Oftentimes, they perform with the core intention of helping others. But did you know that volunteering can benefit your own health as well? Researchers have attempted to measure the benefits that volunteers receive including positive feeling referred to as helper’s high, increased trust in others and increased social interaction.

From lowering stress to boosting self-confidence, research has shown that volunteering offers many health benefits, especially for older adults, such as:

Volunteering decreases the risk of depression.Research has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression, especially for individuals 65 and older. Volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common interests — both of which have been shown to decrease depression.
Volunteering gives a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills. Volunteers, such as those at Mayo Clinic Health System, perform critical roles in assisting patients, families and staff. They serve as greeters providing patient room information and directions, as transporters of patients and patient items, and as surgery and Critical Care waiting room attendants. They make prayer shawls, blankets, sweaters and hats typically given to newborn babies and cancer patients. Services they provide include working in the hospital gift shop, performing clerical duties for staff and offering pet therapy to patients through the Paws Force team. The work that volunteers provide is essential to everyday processes, which gives volunteers a sense of purpose.
Volunteering helps people stay physically and mentally active. Volunteer activities get you moving and thinking at the same time. One study found that volunteering among adults age 60 and over provided benefits to physical and mental health. Another study found that, in general, volunteers report better physical health than do non-volunteers. Older volunteers experience greater increases in life satisfaction and greater positive changes in their perceived health as a result of volunteering.
Volunteering may reduce stress levels.Volunteering may enhance a person’s social networks to buffer stress and reduce risk of disease. By savoring time spent in service to others, you will feel a sense of meaning and appreciation, both given and received, which can have a stress-reducing effect.
Volunteering may help you live longer. An analysis of data from the Longitudinal Study of Aging found that individuals who volunteer have lower mortality rates than those who do not, even when controlling for age, gender and physical health. In addition, several studies have shown that volunteers with chronic or serious illness experience declines in pain intensity and depression when serving as peer volunteers for others also suffering from chronic pain.
Volunteering helps you meet others and develop new relationships. One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to participate in a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people who share common interests with you. Dedicating your time as a volunteer also helps you expand your network and practice social skills with others.

Volunteers at Mayo Clinic Health System come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but share the common desire to help others. They are men, women, retirees, teenagers, former patients, professionals, homemakers and students. They volunteer for different reasons: to explore health care careers, sharpen skills to re-enter the work world, stay active during retirement and put their free time to good use.

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer? Join Mayo Clinic Health System’s team of volunteers, and make a difference in the lives of patients and staff. Sign up to volunteer at a location near you.

View full article here .

Book Review “The Boy Between” | Susan Thigpen

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:50:16 GMT

The Boy Between, by Amanda Prowse and Josiah Hartley

This book published in 2020 is a memoir by both mother and son about the son’s (and family’s) journey through depression. The dedication of the book reads “My dedication is for all those who are living with depression. For all those who are thinking about or who have thought that suicide might be the best option. I am proof that there is a life to be lived after depression and a life to be lived with depression – though it might not always feel like it. Don’t give up. – Josh”

Beautifully written, heart wrenching and poignant, this book tells the story of a young man who grows up in a loving household in the UK and was afforded many of life’s advantages. His mother recalls how smart and witty he was as a young child yet as the years passed problems surfaced at school. He began to encounter difficulties keeping up and was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. He also endured anxiety at an early age and recounts stories of bullying and embarrassing shame-evoked episodes by teachers in his early school years.

This narrative of his early life could have been that of any of thousands of children. Josh then begins to describe his successes as he matured, even saying his brain was at its best as he approached the end of his senior year and began the application process for university. And then without warning, he says, his brain “switched off” in his words.

This book is written with a back-and-forth style, one chapter by Amanda then one by Josh, as they share their personal perspective of this difficult illness; one living with it and one living it.

Book review by Susan Thigpen

Book Review “Friendship Matters” | Lauren Monroe

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:46:00 GMT

Friendship Matters by Karen Riddell

In these unsettling COVID times when many of us feel lonely and isolated, Karen Riddell’s book Friendship Matters is poignant and timely. It is a well researched and fun book to read. The book takes a hard look at women’s friendships and the skills, and planning of these relationships. By demystifying the elements of friendships, the book provides a workbook style format that acts as a “ friendship roadmap” for cultivating and maintaining close relationships.

The early part of the book cites the many amazing health benefits linked to women in supportive relationships with other women. According to the studies, women increase endorphin and serotonin levels when they are in community with each other. Laughing, crying, sharing, dancing, smiling, hugging, listening, caring all come together to make women happier and more content. Evidence concludes that lasting friendships are life-prolonging, too.

The author interviews hundreds of women about their friendships. Each chapter weaves an example of someone’s story. Her research shines the light on reasons many women struggle with friendships: lack of time, rejection, shyness, acceptance, and underestimating the intrinsic benefits of friendship. Chapters outline different personality types and the roadblocks that they might encounter while trying to make new friends. She encourages positivity throughout the process of acquiring new friends while recognizing that good friends are not hard to find, but do require time, energy, and a solid plan.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is enlightening, uplifting and encouraging. The real life stories are relatable and engaging for any reader. Although it’s beneficial for any age, I believe it is particularly relevant for young women who are beginning careers and/or moving to new places. The friendship roadmap that is outlined is very practical and can yield results that can be life-changing and life-giving because friendships really do matter! The book would be very useful in a group study, too, because it has thought-provoking questions that create an opportunity for sharing.

Kudos to Karen Riddell for tackling and celebrating women’s invaluable connections with other women.

Karen Ridell Bio

PBS Podcast: On Our Minds

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:41:33 GMT

PBS Podcast: On Our Minds

On Our Minds — a podcast made by teens, for teens, all about teens — and mental health. Hosted by high school students Noah Konevitch and Zion Williams, On Our Minds fea tures personal stories from students across the United States, and conversations with experts about mental health issues like anxiety, depression, isolation and more.

Book Review “The Hidden Life Awakened” | Martha Tate, LCSW

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:30:02 GMT

The Hidden Life Awakened
By Kitty Crenshaw and Dr. Cathy Snapp
Book Review by Martha Tate, LCSW

When Betty Walthour Skinner was 42, her doctor told her, “You have a hole in your soul.”

Clinging only to her faith and a glimmer of hope, she journeyed from desperate clinical depression to wholeness and profound wisdom-well before anti-depressants and mindfulness were mainstream. Emerging science now affirms that the organic path Betty traveled in the following decades has the power to heal the broken body, mind, and spirit. By changing her thought patterns, Betty changed her life. – Excerpted from www.thehiddenlifeawakened.com

“The Hidden Life Awakened is a work of love, revealing the many facets of this remarkable woman: her life story, her insights and guidance, and her beautiful poetry. Betty Skinner will touch your heart in profound and healing ways.” says Gerald May, PhD., Psychiatrist and author of Dark Night of the Soul; Addiction and Grace; and The Awakened Heart.

Betty Skinner was a modern-day Christian mystic whose life story shows us how an ordinary person can evolve through a life time of dedicated spiritual practice from the depths of despair to the height of spiritual joy, love, and wisdom.

95 years ago, Betty Skinner was born into a genteel Alabama family whose social standing was prescribed and girls were expected to be pretty, steel magnolias devoted to the social graces of pretty dresses, lovely parties, donning coquettish smiles and shunning any kind of work. Her sociable mother fit the mold perfectly and expected Betty to do the same.

Trouble was, Betty didn’t.

She hated those pretty dresses. Betty preferred the company of her introverted father, the only parent who truly understood and valued her.

They were made of the same cloth.

She loved him with her whole heart and with him she felt seen and accepted. He was the sponsor of her true-self.

Betty’s mother was relentless in her campaign to train Betty out of being herself.

Betty adapted as best she could.

She did what we do. She built a false self in attempts to please and win the affection she craved.

Thus was the formation of her false-self.

Betty’s grandmother, Nannie, was a quiet, unassuming woman who was deeply in love with God. She was Betty’s spiritual mentor and guided Betty right into the heart of God.

Betty’s God-self was formed.

Betty’s early life was shaped in the conflict between these different aspects of herself. It was a shaky foundation. One that could not cope with the subsequent suicides first of her father and years later her beloved brother. Over time, Betty buried herself in her false self and, though she appeared successful and accomplished to the world, internally she was slowly collapsing into depression.

Finally, at the age of 42 she checked herself into a psychiatric hospital and began her decades long healing journey.

Through years of Christian contemplation, study, prayer, mediation, walking and developing healthy life patterns, Betty healed.

She says this about her journey; “I had to learn to trust the darkness of new birth. I didn’t always see it, but new life was being birthed; it was underneath the darkness and the pain. But trusting this ground underneath, I began to find so much hope that there was no longer the need to run or the possibility of hiding. My real work was to stop my resistance and be willing to go through the pain of inner death before the end of my physical life. What was dying was my false-self. What was being birthed was my true-self.”

Betty Skinner died this year, 2022, having birthed her true-self through realization of her God-self.

Her message to each of us is this:
“The wondrous reality is that you are a marvelous spiritual being freely embodied with the Holy Spirit and the power to transcend yourself and perform miraculous acts of love and courage and creativity.” HLA

Kitty Crenshaw and Dr. Cathy Snapp, co-authors of The Hidden Life Awakened, were mentored by Betty Skinner throughout their young adult life and ensuing decades. Together they bring Betty’s life and teachings to us in this uniquely designed book. Each chapter weaves together the story of Betty’s life, poetic illuminations from Betty, and a summary section by Dr. Cathy Snapp which teaches us the science underpinning the practices that led Betty finally to her desired state:

“Healthy body. Serene mind. Powerful spirit.
Created in love and recreated in mercy.”
Dr. Paul Tornier

Book Review “My Son…My Son…” | Ray Segars

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 14:48:02 GMT

My Son … My Son … – A Guide to Healing After Death, Loss, or Suicide – by Iris Bolton

Book Review by Ray Segars

As one might guess from the title, this book is about a very somber subject matter. While the loss of a loved one to a sudden death or suicide is serious, the author provides a hopeful pathway for those that survive to deal with the tragedy. The author, Iris Bolton, is a trained councilor and Director Emeritus of the Link Counseling Center in Atlanta writes of how she and her family dealt with the suicide of her son Mitch. The book is part memoir of their experience and part handbook for dealing with the grief.

One of the first questions she addresses is how a trained counseling professional missed the signs prior to her own son’s suicide. One of the reasons was that, until recently, most that was known about suicide was hypothetical. However, rather becoming deeply immersed in grief and guilt, she directed here energy in learning more about the subject so she could help others.

During the process of dealing with her grief and learning more about suicide, she identified two challenges survivors deal with to heal from the loss. These include the attempt to answer the question of why it happened and dealing with the guilt of somehow failing your loved one. The challenge of the attempt to answer the why question is falling into the “blame game.” Survivors of loved ones that die from suicide often look for something to blame. What caused this? Was it them, me, or someone or something else? In some cases, there are clear answers, but often she indicates we often never learn all of the answers to what causes one to take their life. The guilt of survival is another difficult feeling. Survivor’s guilt can cause one to feel the will never have joy again due to the loss. How can I be happy and joyful when my loved one has died? She offers several strategies, both mental and spiritual, to regain joy in one’s life.

One of the most profound revelations she provides in the strategies to cope and survive the sudden loss of a loved one was provided by another mental health professional. This colleague told her and her family that the tragic loss could bring their family closer and be a potential gift to the family. Both sound like strange outcomes considering most families fracture and see it as a loss. In her case, the family was open, honest, and supportive of each other in their grief and strengthened their bonds. She indicated it is possible for others to do the same. Her gift came in two ways. First, with the family’s commitment to face the issue head on, they learned to celebrate the positives and support each other’s mental and emotional needs. Her real gift came in a commitment to learn more about suicide through more formal mental health education. With this training, she pivoted her counseling practice and learned how to help others deal with their own grief from suicide of a loved one and more critically, council those considering suicide and heal mentally.

This is a very personal narrative of one who dealt with the tragic loss of a precious loved one. While it was written forty years ago, it has been revised and still has very relevant truths and resources for those dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one regardless of where it is suicide or another cause. She provides an accurate description of the journey, the feelings that come with it, and strategies of how to deal with the grief. I recommend this book to anyone dealing with the tragic loss of a loved one.

Book Review “When Things Fall Apart” | Katie Mori

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 14:33:57 GMT

When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron
Book Review by Katie Mori

A therapist recommended I read When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron. Now if you’ve ever been in or if you are in a dark place, it is hard to concentrate on anything, especially reading a book. As I delved into this book it provided a new perspective on how to bring peace to my life. A book I continue to reread, not because it is an enjoyable book per se, but as a reminder to help work towards the wisdom it provides.

Pema draws from traditional Buddhist wisdom to offer a way to rethink our lives and lean into discomfort and struggles in order to live a more peaceful life. Life is not a destination or fitting together a beautiful puzzle for success. Life comes together and falls apart and repeats itself. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen. Room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.

You don’t have to be Buddhist to connect with this book. It is more about looking at your fears and using mindfulness to connect to our spiritual self; for me this is connecting to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. In my own life our family suffered several traumatic events over a little more than a year. Some were deaths of beloved family members and some were the deaths of what I dreamt life held for me and my family. I spent my life being good, doing the right things, worked hard – tirelessly, but at the end of the day events, out of my control, happened and now my life was on a different trajectory than where I had worked to go. You may have felt similarly on March 11, 2020 when the pandemic was declared. You were a good person, but you were confined like a prisoner to your house for what you thought was a few days or weeks. You may have felt groundless not being able to know what lies ahead or if you could even buy necessities such as toilet paper. Who would have thought this could happen? But even more, how do we get through it?

After reading this book you will learn…

Samsara – thinking we can find some lasting pleasure and avoid pain is what in Buddhism is called samsara, a hopeless cycle that goes round and round endlessly and causes us to suffer greatly. When you are absorbed by the ego, you will constantly seek more things on your path to fulfillment. You falsely believe what you seek will fulfill the emptiness you feel inside, but in reality, the ego constantly seeks more and you will always feel hollow.
Groundlessness – If we stay in perpetual motion we are groundless. We need to learn how to sit and be with ourselves. Stop trying to avoid what is happening right now.
Fear – when we encounter fear (heartbreak, daily ickiness, a loss/death) do not run away from it. Move yourself into the present moment and do not run away.
Learn how fear of change and death is at the root of all our misery. Everything is always changing and ending. Trying to escape this truth is what causes anxiety. We are addicted to hope. By trying to avoid suffering, we suffer more.
The goal is not to find constant pleasure and security or to finally arrive. There is no constant and no final destination. Life brings us ups and downs. You do not have to accept misery or bad times, but realize that “suffering is inevitable for humans as long as they believe that things last…we need to learn to relax in the midst of chaos.”
Loving-kindness towards ourselves builds the strongest foundation. Stop telling ourselves everything is going to be perfect. See ourselves for who we really are and cultivate unconditional friendship with ourselves.
Tonglen – a breathing practice. Using poison as fuel is at the core of tonglen. Breath in the suffering of this world, but when we exhale we send peace, love and security to all.

As I conclude this book review I will close by asking you to sit/stand still for a moment. Feel the weight of your body to your chair or your feet to the floor. Wrap your arms around yourself. Take a deep breath in, hold it, and let it go. Hug yourself. Feel the breath and light and love from others filling you up and send forth your breath and light and love to others.

Bruce And Janet Street – Trauma

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 14:26:19 GMT

Bruce And Janet Street – Trauma

reverend Mace Hall with PRUMC members Bruce and Janet Street has an in-depth and personal conversation about trauma. The Streets lost their son Cam to bone cancer at age 15. They share about the importance of adjusting normalcy, giving grace, and the power of community during a traumatic time.

one-lamb-initiative

Emily Wingfield – PMAD

Dr. John Constantino, Chief Director of Behavioral and Mental Health talks about the mental health challenges affecting children and the ways CHOA is addressing these issues.

Dr. John Constantino, Chief. Behavioral and Mental Health Director at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, talks about the mental health challenges affecting our children and what CHOA is doing to address and improve mental health care for our most vulnerable.

This is for Parents of Graduating High School Seniors as Their Precious Teens Ready Themsleves and YOU to Launch Into the Next Chapter of Their Lives

The Transition from High School is Exciting but can also be Filled with Uncertainty, Anxiety and Fear. Below is Some Salient Advice.

Rev. Mace Hall interviews Betsy Stephenson about her 22 year old son's suicide. Betsy rips the bandaid off the topic of suicide with her raw candor re: its affects on her, her family and the community

Suicide is a terrible, growing epidemic. Betsy Stephenson, author of Blackbird knows the horrible pain and shares her gripping grief in this very honest interview.

Book Review of Betsy Stephen's BLACKBIRD, a memoir about the loss of her college student son, Charlies, to suicide. With raw honesty, Betsy describes her deep grief

Review of Blackbird, a mother's candidly reflectsoss of her son to suicide beautifully written by Kim McCollam, a long-time Peachtree Road member

Guides for Mental & Emotional Well-being

PREPARING FOR WORLD MENTAL DAY:

10 DAYS OF GUIDES FOR MENTAL & EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

BY RON GREER

Kay Warren, Co Founder of Saddleback Church, talk s about the death of her son to suicide, alleviating the stigma, deep grief and her evolving faith

Kay Warren presents her story of losing her adult son to suicide and how she learned to grow in her faith while simultaneously and forever grieving the tremendous, devestating loss.

Pathways to Peace: Dr. Cathy Snapp, UGA Director of Behavioral Health and Professor at UGA Medical School discusses the neural-science explaining health spiritual practices and emotional well-being

How Positive Spiritual Practices contribute to emotional wellbeing

Strength to Strength: Wit Hall and Steve McCollam discuss how to find purpose, meaning and happiness in retirement that can be as rewarding, if not more, than when we were younger.

Finding Purpose, Meaning and Happiness in Retirement

Nancy Kriseman Presentation "When A Loved One Has Dementia." Nancy will share guidance from her program 'Meaningful Connections: Positive Ways to be Together When a Loved-One Has Dementia.'

Nancy Kriseman, MSW, offers practical tools and heartfelt support for navigating the emotionall journey of dementia care.

Heart Math: A Videao Explaining the Amazing Connection Between Our Hearts and Our Brains Providing Science to Explain How feelings and Emotions Are Embedded In Our Bodies

HEART MATH: A Video Describing the Amazing Connection Between Our Hearts and Our Brains.

Mace Hall Interviews Mary Bridges Waters About the Emotional Challenges of Raising an Autistic Son Which Led Her to Drink to Escape the Difficulty. Her Amazing Love for Him Inspired Her Recovery

STEP UP AND SPEAK OUT SUICIDE PREVENTION SUMMIT: FEBRUARY 1 KEYNOTE KAY WARREN, FEBRUARY 2 SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAININGS AT PRUMC FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

STEP UP AND SPEAK OUT SUICIDE PREVENTION SUMMIT AT PEACHTREE ROAD UMC FEBRUARY 1: KEYNOTE KAY WARREN, FEBRUARY 2: 3 CONCURRENT TRAININGS FOR COMMUNITY, CLERGY AND CLINICIANS.

NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Health) FAMILY TO FAMILY Mental Health Class is led by NAMI trained and certified instructors to help families dealing with a loved-one with a mental health issue.

Grace-Filled Grieving: starting January 28. 6-7PM in the PRUMC Hospitality Suite- led by Martha Tate - Grief is a complicated but important process to bring healing after loss.

Grace-filled Grief led by Martha Tate

When a Friend Takes His Life; Interview with Owen McDaniel. In this conversation, Owen talks openly about the impact of losing 2 close friends to suicide

When a Friend Takes His Own Life:

﻿ An Interview with Owen McDaniel

Interview with David Asbury Discussing the Loss of His Son Sam to Suicide

Interview with David Asbury Discussing the Loss of His Son Sam to Suicide

CHOOSE JOY BECAUSE HAPPINESS ISN'T AN OPTION BY KAY WARREN - 2 BOOK STUDIES: EMILY MILES - THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 630-730PM / ZOOM & SUE ALLEN WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 6-8PM -ROOM 300 NORTHSIDE CHURCH

Two offerings to read and discuss KAY Warren's book: CHOOSE JOY

Video of Dr. Beverly Armenta Chronicling her Childhood Experiences of Abuse and Neglect: As her mother's sight worsened so did her treatment of Beverly

Video of Dr. Beverly Armento Chronicling Her Childhood Experiences of Abuse and Neglect

Longest Night Prayer Service: Sunday, December 21 530-630pm in the Moore Chapel. Remember, Pray Connect with God as you recall difficult memories the holidays can bring with the hope Christmas brings

The Longest Night Prayer Service: December 21: 530-630PM

The Chapel - RON GREER PREACHING

PRESENTATION BY RON GREER: WHAT'S NEXT? FINDING EXCITEMENT, PURPOSE, FULFILLMENT AND JOY IN ONE'S LATER YEARS ONCE RETIRED- OUR ENCORE CHAPTER CAN BE A TIME OF SELF DISCOVERY JUST AS OUR YOUNGER YEARS

PRESENTATION BY ROM GREER: OUR NEXT CHAPTER. FINDING PURPOSE, MEANING AND FULFILLMENT AFTER RETIRING.

STEP OUT AND SPEAK UP SUICIDE PREVENTION WALK IN PIEDMONT PARK NOV. 2. PEOPLE OF FAITH UNITING AGAINST SUICIDE

STEP UP AND SPEAK OUT SUICIDE PREVENTION WALK. ON NOVEMBER 2, PEACHTREE ROAD AS WELL AS OTHER FAITH GROUP WILL UNITE WITH ATLANTA'S 'OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK' to show our solidarity for ending suicide.

VIDEO PRESENTATION OF DR. STAN SONU DISCUSSING CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND HOW IT CONTRIBUTES TO ADULT MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ILLNESS

VIDEO PRESENTATION BY DR. STAN SONU AS HE DESCRIBES HOW CHILDHOOD TRAUMA CONTRIBUTES TO BOTH ADULT MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ILLNESS WITH A HOPEFUL MESSAGE AS TO HOW WE CAN HEAL FROM ADVERSE CHILD EXPERIENCES

Evening Yoga Thursdays October 2-30, 530-630 pm, C208 led by Ann Strader, a certified yoga instrustor and health and wellness coach

Evening Yoga led by Ann Strader

30 DAYS OF KINDNESS- Research shows that acts of kindness improve the mood and emotional well-being of both receiver and the giver. Kindness is free and easy and will makes everyone feel better!

COMMIT TO 30 DAYS OF KINDNESS- Research shows that acts of kindness improve the mood and emotional well-being of both receiver and the giver. Kindness is free and easy and will makes everyone feel better!

Rev. Mace Hall interviews Arlene and Paul Samuels where the couple speaks honestly about Paul's diagnosis of Bi-polar while in his 50's. Since they have been to mission to de-stimatize the diagnosis

INTERVIEW BY REV. MACE HALL WITH ARLENE AND PAUL SAMUELS DISCUSSING PAUL"S BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS IN HIS 50'S, Since the diagnosis, Arlene and Paul have been on a mission to eductae and de-stigmatize the topic of mental illness.

INTERVIEW WITH DR. STAN SONU describing what led him to specialize in understanding/treating persons affected by Adverse Child Experiences and how these contribute to adult mental &physical illness

Rev. Mace Hall interviews Dr. Stan Sonu about what led him to become a childhood trauma specialist

Dr. Stan Sonu: September 14 at 10Am 'The Invisible Wounds that bind: how understanding the science of adversity and resilience can guide us toward a journey of healing an wholeness'

Dr. Stan Sonu: The Invisible Wounds That Bind

Video “My Ascension” | Emma Benoit Story

What Every Parent Should Know about the Student Mental Health & Substance Abuse Crisis

What every Parent Should know about the Student Mwntal Health and Substance Abuse Crisis

Special Guest Speaker: David Magee

PRUMC

Video Presentation: Raising Resilient Children in a world filled with Anxiety and Stress

VIDEO: RAISING RESILIENT CHILDREN IN A WORLD FILLED WITH ANXIETY AND STRESS

VIDEO: From Worried to Well: Dr. Ben Hunter, Chief Medical Officer at Skyland Trail Mental Health Facility, discusses symptoms and causes of anxiety, coping skills to relieve worry and stress.

VIDEO PRESENTATION BY DR. BEN HUNTER, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AT SKLAND TRAIL MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FACILITY, DISCUSSING THE SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES OF ANXIETY. DR. HUNTER EXPLAINS WHAT WE CAN DO TO COPE WITH STRESS REDUCING ANXIETY THEREBY LEADING TO BETTER WELL-BEING.

Making Connections: A VIDEO Discussion of Aging and Well-being

VIDEO of PANEL DISCUSSION WITH RON GREER, CAROLYN CURRY, GAYLE CUMMINGS - MODERATED BY ANDREA DEWALT

Raising Resilience: Parenting Anxious Children

Raising Resilience: Parenting Anxious Children

The Dreaded C-Word: CANCER

THE DREADED C-WORD: A conversation with Rev. Mace Hall

Meredith Hydrick – Anxiety

Chris, Maria and Isabella Moffett talk about disordered eating: VIDEO

Chris, Maria and Isabella Moffett - Trauma

Interview with Kenya Phillips about her adult diagnosis of Bi-Polar 2, her treatment, her recovery and her self discovery as a NAMI trainer, Life Coach and spoken word artist

Rev. Mace Hall interviews Kenya Phillips about her adult diagnosis of bi-polar 2, her treatment, her recovery and self-discovery

Video of interview of Kate Bowler by Claire Bowen discussing our terrible beautiful days

VIDEO OF KATE BOWLER BY CLAIRE BOWEN DISCUSSING OUR TERRIBLE, BEAUTIFUL DAYS

An Interview with Owen McDaniel

Saint Luke's Presbyterian Church

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church