News from us [link removed] August 3, 2021
Encouraging Mental Health
Addressing mental health issues looks different for everyone. Laypeople and clergy alike have stepped up to share how seeking counseling has affected their lives.
“Your mental health is really important. It was one of the biggest decisions I’ve made in my life, to go to a professional,” says Rev. Chris Abel, pastor of First UMC in Blue Springs. “It’s made me a better pastor. It’s made me a better husband. It’s helped me be the leader that God is calling me to be.”
Others see the need for counseling from the other chair in the room: Christina McLewin, MA, LPC, is a preacher’s kid and grew up with four United Methodist pastors in her family. Her calling led her not to be a pastor but to be a counselor to pastors.
“Growing up in the church, I saw all of the good, the bad and the ugly,” she says. When she went into practice as a counselor, she decided to focus on helping pastors. McLewin says counseling can give people a rare opportunity to reflect on the whole trajectory of their life.
[link removed] Read more, watch more counseling testimonies and learn about next steps →
Upcoming Events
Walk Justly Conference
Building on our rich Wesleyan heritage of social holiness, Manchester UMC will host Methodists from across the connection in a two-day conference dedicated to the topic of “Just Missions.” The Walk Justly Conference is a NEW annual gathering of Methodist pastors, ministry leaders and congregants who are dedicated to creating change in their local communities.
[link removed] Learn more and sign up →
Other Upcoming Events
Aug. 10 and 12 - [link removed] We Gather Together: How Small Groups Bring Connection to the Post-Pandemic Church Webinar
Aug. 24 and 31 - [link removed] Developing Online Faith Communities
Sept. 9 - [link removed] Leading in Uncharted Territory with Tod Bolsinger
Sept. 11 - Oct. 9 - [link removed] Festival of Sharing ShareFests
See the full events calendars at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/events
Featured Resource
Free Small Group Study Options
Many of you are likely planning for your fall small group studies. Check out these free options from the Conference resource library:
[link removed] The Bible and Emotional Health: Small Group Series
[link removed] Fruit of the Spirit series from LEAP 2021
[link removed] 5+ Cups of Coffee, based on the 5 Cups of Coffee discipleship tool
[link removed] Finding the Sweet Spot: Holy Conversation
[link removed] Discipleship Toolkits [link removed]
More Resources
[link removed] 4 Types of Mental Health Support
There are several different types of trained mental health professionals. Each kind of provider has a different title and level of expertise. These providers offer psychotherapy, aka talk therapy, a method for helping you explore your feelings and behaviors and learning to cope.
[link removed] One + One Handbook
One + One Partnership Handbook is a tool created by the North Texas Annual Conference that assists churches in building one on one relationships with children and families through local schools. The Partnership Handbook provides valuable information about how to start a partnership, engage volunteers and measure success. It also offers information regarding the dos and don’ts of forming a partnership.
[link removed] Advent Worship Series Materials
Free materials for Advent 2021 are now available for download from the UMC Discipleship Ministries website.
See the full resource library at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/resourcelibrary


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Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
3601 Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202 | 573-441-1770
www.moumethodist.org