“Caring for the Community” is a community based educational program committed to training local clergy to support and respond to the emotional and spiritual needs within their congregation and community.

The objectives are to enable congregational spiritual caregivers to:

1. Establish or enhance partnerships with other congregational leaders to build healthier communities
2. Provide theological resources for health management
3. Receive and provide health and wellness education
4. Address social determinants of health including health disparities
5. Demonstrate a positive impact on lives in our communities by augmenting their spiritual care of communities with wellness support
6. Participate in a safe cohort in order to enhance the wellbeing of the congregational leaders

Training and Orientation

“Caring for the Community” will provide a series of six (6) training sessions to offer some basic preparation for spiritual care starting on September 27 and ending on November 1, 2022. The sessions will be held each Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. via ZOOM. Attendance is required at all training sessions. Cost will be $25, payable upon acceptance.

Topics may include:

• Trauma Informed Care: Leadership during Crisis
• Advanced Care Planning
• Congregational Health Assessments
• Grief and Loss
• Mental Health First Aid Training
• Caring for Caregivers
• Depression and Suicide
• Medical Insights from Healthcare Professionals

We are accepting applications starting Monday, August 22 through Monday, September 19. To apply, please return your completed application and a letter of recommendation to Linda Johnson-Harvey ([email protected]). For more information, please contact Rev. Dr. Paula Teague ([email protected]), Rev. William E. Johnson, Jr. ([email protected]) or call the Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Office at 410-550-7569.