ELCA NEWS SERVICE May 13, 2004 Lutheran Network on Mental Illness Renews Dedication 04-097-FI CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran Network on Mental Illness/Brain Disorders (LNMI) renewed its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, revisited some of its accomplishments and made key decisions about its future work. Network leaders met here April 29-May 2. The Rev. Stewart D. Govig, LNMI chair and retired pastor of the ELCA, Tacoma, Wash., said the two churches continue to show a mutual interest in their congregations assisting their members who are affected by serious mental illness. He said that interest shows itself through the involvement of both churches in the network. "The group has ongoing joint projects like the All-Lutheran Candlelighting for Mental Illness, and it's beginning new joint projects," said the Rev. Lisa T. Cleaver, director for disability ministries and deaf ministry, ELCA Division for Church in Society. One of the new projects is a brochure that describes the work of LNMI, what "mental illness" is -- the signs and symptoms -- and the church's role, she said. The past eight Octobers, LNMI has provided a candle-lighting liturgy for Lutheran congregations across the United States and Caribbean to draw attention to Mental Illness Awareness Month. The rite, which could be used any month of the year, included a short litany of prayers for people living with mental illness and their families. LNMI developed educational workshops for parish nurses in both church bodies, Cleaver said. The network is working on workshops for Lutheran seminaries and for the triennial gathering of Women of the ELCA, she said. Jim Gerhard, network member, San Antonio, Texas, presented a history of LNMI -- a "rearview" look at the network's accomplishments. W. Paul Hunter, network member and assistant to the bishop, ELCA Allegheny Synod, Altoona, Pa., summarized possible "steps to take in the future." Govig said Hunter's report "defined our intentions, our purposes." "We want to educate clergy. We want to educate congregations. But what does that mean? How does that take place? What's the content of that?" Govig said. "We are still searching," he said. Govig analyzed the results of a research project he conducted among Lutheran pastors and "how they respond to circumstances of serious mental illness among members of their congregations." "Lutheran pastors learn more from family members affected by mental illness than from anywhere else," Govig said, such as from seminary courses or special education events. Govig is the author of "In the Shadow of Our Steeples: Pastoral Presence for Families Coping with Mental Illness" and "Souls Are Made of Endurance: Surviving Mental Illness in the Family." The Rev. Bob Dell, a pastor of the United Church of Christ, Sandwich, Ill., talked with the network about possible partnerships beyond the Lutheran churches. He chairs the board of Pathways to Promise: Interfaith Ministries and Prolonged Mental Illness, St. Louis, a resource center offering information to promote ministry with people with mental illness and their families. The Rev. John Fale, director of chaplaincy, pastoral counseling and clinical education, LCMS World Relief and Human Care, Saint Louis, is liaison to the network for the Missouri Synod. Other LCMS members are the Rev. Barton Gray and Laura Gray, Alpena, Mich., and Linda Preus, St. Louis. In addition to Cleaver, Gerhard, Govig and Hunter, ELCA members of the network are Jane Carlson, Westlake, Ohio, and Laura Rorem, Juneau, Alaska. Josselyn Bennett, director for education and program resources, ELCA Division for Church in Society, oversees the ELCA's relationship with the network. LNMI planned its next meeting for May 2005 in St. Louis. -- -- -- Information about the Lutheran Network on Mental Illness/Brain Disorders is at http://www.elca.org/dcs/epr/disability/mentalillness.html on the disability ministries' Web pages of the ELCA Division for Church in Society. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news