Mental Health First Aid – Free Training and Retreat
Mental Health First Aid USA Retreat
Mental Health First Aid USA teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, AD/HD, exposure to trauma and substance abuse disorder. Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling; rather, participants learn a core five-step action plan to support a person developing signs and symptoms of mental illness or in an emotional crisis.
Mental Health First Aid USA has been successfully offered to a variety of audiences, including hospital staff, employers, business leaders, faith communities, law enforcement, educators, and the general public. Upon successful completion of this program, participants will receive certification in Mental Health First Aid. Trainers are certified trainers of Mental Health First Aid USA and represent local organizations: Walden and On Our Own of St. Mary’s. For more information about this program, please contact Laura Webb, Recovery Support Services Director, Walden Sierra at 301-997-1300 x 804 or lauraw@waldensierra.org.
Coffee and Conversation — A Way to Share Life and Faith
On Sunday mornings at Good Sam, we gather during the Sunday School hour to visit while our younger ones are in class (10:30 – 11:30). We choose conversation topics based on group interest, current church activities, current world events, or however God is working. We respect each other’s input, debate, listen, learn and get to know one another.
In the near future, expect to see opportunities to lead and facilitate on the sign-up sheet that circulates at our Sunday service. You too can help keep this conversation zone alive and thriving. We hope you will join us for this sharing of life and faith at Good Sam.
Mocha Morning Bible Study Schedule
The Mocha Morning Bible Study meets at Martha R.’s home on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 9:30 am. Our schedule of upcoming meetings (adjusted for spring break): March 18, April 15, April 29. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Martha.
Humanitarian Assistance & Prospects for Peace in the Holy Land — March 14
**CHANGE OF LOCATION (effective Fri. 3/13)
Because of a major marathon in D.C. Saturday, the location of the Rev. Mark Brown’s talk has been moved.
Humanitarian Assistance and Prospects for Peace in the Holy Land
Saturday March 14 at 10 a.m. (Coffee and cookies will be served.)
St. Luke Lutheran Church at 9100 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910
(Plenty of parking; walking distance from Silver Spring Metro Stop on Red Line.)
Rev. Mark Brown is the Lutheran World Federation Regional Representative in Jerusalem. On Saturday, March 14 at 10 am, Rev. Brown will speak about Augusta Victoria Hospital and other LWF Humanitarian services, East Jerusalem and the peace process.
Location: Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill (212 East Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20003)
More information available in the flyer below:
Caregiver Support Class — March 15 and 22
Coming in March: “A Crash Course for Families with Aging Loved Ones”
Busy people can learn more about issues and resources as they take on increasing responsibility for aging or ill family members through this 2-part series called “Support U.” Normally a 6-week course, Support U will be conducted in two intensive sessions, at a convenient Prince George’s County, Maryland location.
The program is led by Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area and open to the public. The host site is: Grace Lutheran Church, 10928 Indian Head Highway, Ft. Washington, MD 20744.
Support U sessions provide important information and opportunities for peer group discussion. Topics: planning ahead, finding and using resources, self-care, family dynamics, dementia and chronic illness, and financial well-being.
**Updated March 2–DATES CHANGED due to inclement weather
Session 1: Sunday, March 15 2:30-5:30 PM
Session 2: Sunday, March 22 2:30-5:30 PM
A discounted tuition of $20 per session is available to attendees thanks to grant funding. Online reservation site: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D82SLTM
Please see the detailed flyer below: (flyer lists the original dates – notice the date change above, due to inclement weather on March 1)
New Mocha Morning Bible Study – Wednesday mornings
The New Mocha Morning Bible Study has begun! We are meeting at Martha R.’s house on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 9:30 am. Our next meeting is February 4 when we’ll begin studying the book of Ruth using Premium Roast with Ruth by Sandra Glahn. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Martha.
–Martha R.
“Coffee and Conversation” about WARM – January 25
Join us Sunday, January 25 at 10:30 am for some “coffee and conversation” about the WARM ministry. This is an opportunity to find out more about the ministry and the various opportunities to serve during Good Sam’s host week of February 15-22. We will have a conversation about the different volunteer positions and what they entail. (Click to read more about the WARM ministry.)
Even if you are not available to serve during the week, support is needed in other areas such as prayer, food and toiletry donations, and help with set-up and laundry. Please consider staying after church and finding out more about serving our homeless brothers and sisters. God calls us to serve the poor and homeless (Leviticus 25:35-36, Isaiah 58:7, Luke 14:13-14).
–Gail W.
No Sunday School — Dec. 28, Jan. 4 and 11
There will be no Sunday School or High School Youth Group on these Sundays: December 28, January 4, and January 11.
Become a St. Mary’s Life Coach
The St. Mary’s Life Coach program is ready to include you or someone that you know in this new program! See the flyer below for a detailed explanation of the program. You can contact Barbara Svenson at 3660barbara@gmail.com to sign up and get trained.
The commitment would be to keep in contact with the individual at least four (4) times/month for the period of one year.
Our targeted population are those individuals who are currently living in the Three Oaks Shelter, the Women’s Shelter, or are enrolled in the WARM program. You would be supported by the individual’s case advocate/social worker and the Department of Social Services. We will also meet periodically to engage in conversations about the challenges and rewards of being in this kind of relationship. Mentoring programs have become a way to help people break out of the cycle of poverty. I know that some of you are already engaged in a supportive relationship with a homeless individual, and I applaud you for making that effort. This would be the perfect time of the year to give the gift of friendship to someone who most likely has little to no family or support system.
Update about Wednesday Bible Study at Shirley’s
The Wednesday mid-day Bible Study that meets at Shirley’s home will not meet on November 26. We will resume on Wednesday, December 3 at 1:00 pm with a new study on Revelations using a Max Lucado study guide. All are welcome to join us. Just speak to Shirley C. or to Rich S.
