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Seth Perry, pastor at Elim lutheran Church in Scandia, is facilitating a Lenten mental Health campaign entitled, 'Give up the Stigma." The online campaign will provide opportunities to participate in dialogue about faith and mental health.
Seth Perry, pastor at Elim lutheran Church in Scandia, is facilitating a Lenten mental Health campaign entitled, 'Give up the Stigma." The online campaign will provide opportunities to participate in dialogue about faith and mental health.
Seth Perry, pastor at Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia, Minnesota, will be facilitating a Lenten mental health campaign entitled “Give up the Stigma.”
“It is common that people give something up for Lent,” said Perry. “This Lent I hope others will join me in giving up the stigma surrounding mental health issues. This online and inperson campaign will provide opportunities for churchgoers, lay leaders and clergy an opportunity to participate in dialogue about where faith and mental health intersect.”
Perry often asked himself, “Why, as a pastor, have I never felt comfortable and safe sharing my diagnosis of Bipolar type 1 to my congregation?”
“For 13 years I have successfully treated my mental health diagnosis and yet I have been reticent in divulging my mental health condition. If I feel uncomfortable sharing this part of myself then the folks in the pews must also feel uncomfortable as well.”
On Feb. 22, 2023, Perry will disclose his mental health diagnosis to his congregation and publicly on YouTube and Instagram.
“My hope is to enter into a valuable dialogue of empowerment and support once going public,” said Perry.
In partnership with The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Elim Lutheran Church will be hosting two special events in March:
In Our Own Voice
Elim Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall
20971 Olinda Trail N, Scandia, MN
Sunday, March 4, 2023
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
NAMI “In Our Own Voice” presentations change attitudes, assumptions and ideas about people with mental health conditions. This free, 90-minute presentation provides a personal perspective on mental health conditions, as leaders with lived experience talk openly about what it's like to have a mental health condition.
Creating Caring Faith Communities
Elim Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall
20971 Olinda Trail N, Scandia, MN
Sunday, March 26, 2023
12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn about mental illnesses, the impact of negative attitudes and five things each of us can do to make Minnesota a better place for people who experience a mental illness. This class is for faith communities interested in learning about mental illnesses and helping to change attitudes toward mental illnesses. We will discuss multiple ideas for beginning or enhancing a mental health ministry in your faith community.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.