Friday, 31 October 2014

Yes it did get done by Synod .....

.... and the Launch was great!


Click here to see full Tootlkit


For those of you who are regular readers of this blog you may remember a post earlier in the year about a joint project with UnitingCare Mental Health Project Team to produce a toolkit for congregations with a bit of information about mental illnesses and how congregations and individuals can help. Click here to see this story
After the first draft the Toolkit was focus tested on a number of congregations and their comments, alongside comments from selected others, were put together and whole project then handed to the design team. The result is visually stunning with many of Phill's photos, and full of great ideas and information.

The deadline was the Synod meeting so it could be launched with the 400 representatives from across NSW and ACT. And we made it.

Tina McManus, Operations Manager, and Lisa Kinsey-Smith, Project Manager, and myself had the privilege of being able to present the project during the Rural Ministry Unit session. We were able to talk about the how the project came about and what was in the kit. Afterwards copies of the Toolkit were handed out to all participants.

Tina, Julie and Lisa


And even nicer were the wonderful comments we received on the Toolkit after the launch. A few people shared their own experiences and how much they could have used it when they were having difficulties. Others talked about the need in their communities.

Mental illness is very prevalent and the effects can be devastating on individuals and families. Hopefully this toolkit  will encourage people to think about how they can help those around them. As Christians we are called to follow Christ's example and be alongside those who are hurting.

So where to from here?  Now we start Phase 2 that will look at backing up the Toolkit with other resources, short courses for congregations and more. Stay tuned to the blog or the facebook page for updates.

If you would like to download a copy of the toolkit then click here.

Julie


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