Comfort My People
Pathways to Congregational Mental Health Ministries
Session 4 - Suicide Part I: Listening to the Silence
 
April 20, 2021
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Webinar via Zoom
 
Suicide is a topic that can be difficult to talk about. However, throughout the country, and particularly in rural communities, it has become an increasingly important topic to be discussed. Join LeaderWise psychologist, Dr. Tom Allen and therapist, Rev. Sarah Parker on April 20th as they walk through suicide risk factors to look and listen for and highlight particular factors impacting suicide in rural communities. Together with your colleagues in ministry we will address the following topics:
  • Explore what psychological sciences teach us about suicide. 
  • Identify particular factors impacting farmers and rural communities.
  • Use vignettes to sharpen our collective sensitivity to suicide prevention.
  • Reflect and learn from our own vast and varied experiences.

Registration is open on the websites of Missouri Union and Northern Kansas Presbyteries.
 
Note: This program is brought to you through a partnership of the Presbyteries of the Synod Mid-America, a grant from the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation, and the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Pastoral leaders from the presbyteries of the Synod of Mid-America are invited to attend any or all sessions of interest to them personally and/or to their ministry settings.
Celebrating 200 Years of Ministry!

The Presbytery is invited to join the First Presbyterian Church of Booneville to a worship service on April 25th at 10:45am for a celebration of their 200th anniversary. A potluck luncheon will follow.
Columbia Coaching Program
April 12-14 and October 4-6, 2021

The Leadership in Ministry Workshop at Kansas City is a twice-a-year, peer-based clergy leadership development program. It is part of the Pastoral Excellence Programs of the Center for Lifelong Learning of Columbia Theological Seminary. Each annual workshop meets for two sessions (fall and spring). Some participants have attended for several years, with some participating for almost a decade, reaping the benefits of long-term commitment to personal and professional growth. 

The Leadership in Ministry workshops will apply Bowen Family Systems Theory as further developed by Edwin Friedman, author of Generation to Generation and A Failure of Nerve, to ministerial and organizational leadership. The majority of time is spent in small group case studies led by participants and facilitated by experienced faculty coaches. As such, participants work to apply the theory to the “real world” realities of their ministry context.

The Leadership in Ministry workshops in Kansas City are continuing with a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the spring session. This session will include group and individual coaching sessions and theory presentations. A decision about the fall will be made in summer 2021. 

NOTE: Missouri Union Presbytery will provide $400 grants for any pastor who wants to attend. Contact the Presbytery office for information.
Earth Day 2021
Join with Presbyterians around the country to celebrate Earth Day on April 22!

Ideas for worship, mission and ministry can be found at:
 
Coffee with Colleagues
Missouri Union Presbytery continues its Zoom meetings for pastoral leaders.

Join us on those Wednesdays at 9:00 AM. The event is called “Coffee with Colleagues”. An announcement with the Zoom link was sent to pastors. If you did not receive the announcement and would like to join in, call the Presbytery office for log-in information.
Save the Date:
Next Presbytery Meeting will be held virtually on May 18th
MUP Prayer Basket
The 2021 Prayer Calendar is now online. Download a .PDF version of the calendar HERE: https://www.mupresbytery.org/prayer-calendar

  • Prayers of healing and comfort for those who have been victims of violence, racism, and/or prejudice
  • Continued prayers of healing for Rev. Randall Cone 
  • Prayers of guidance and discernment for pastors and congregations in transition

This is Our Prayer Basket. If you have prayers of intercession or thanksgiving, please submit them via the e-mail link below.