Leaders and advocates for from the greater San Antonio community gathered to discuss ways to break the stigma linked to mental illness at a conference titled “Pathways to Hope.” The conference which was free to the community was held at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts and 1400-plus people were in attendance. Therese Trahan-Edussuriya and Fr. Ram were in attendance.
Participants heard from local and state politicians, medical professionals who treat those with mental illness, ordained and lay church leaders and others. Kay Warren, wife of Saddleback Community Church founding pastor, Rick Warren (“40 Days” author) spoke eloquently about the importance of local churches taking the lead on helping those who suffer from mental illness and their families. Robert Emmet, founding pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, also shared his experience with depression and the way his faith, along with medical and psychological professionals, brought him through it.
Fr. Ram participated in a panel discussion alongside other clergy who have experience with mental health issues and serving those with good mental illness through ministries in their local church. Video of all the speakers and panel discussions can be found at this link.
St. George has a long history of ministering to those with mental illness and their families. This ministry was birthed here by Jerry and Betty Fulenwider, both now deceased, whose tireless advocacy of fighting the stigma surrounding mental illness resulted in NAMI Family to Family classes which served both church members and those in the wider community.
Future plans include the re-institution of mental health ministries at St. George. More information will be shared as plans are formed. “It is crucial,” said Fr. Ram, “that we restart our mental health ministries. As we heard over and over at the conference, stigma has to be broken if people are to find the help needed to find health through proper management of their mental illness. Medical and therapeutic intervention and the support of a faith community can bring about health and fullness of life to those who suffer. Stigma kills. And we, the Church, are in the position to help people. The Church is called to be a partner with Christ Jesus in the healing of those who suffer.”
If you are currently in need of support as you or a loved one struggles with mental illness, please reach out to our Pastoral Care Director, Marilynne Herbster, or Therese, who is one of our Community of Hope chaplains, or Fr. Ram.
Therese writes-
As Father Ram has stated, stigma kills. This may sound like a dramatic overstatement, but most people are so afraid of being judged or treated differently that they fail to seek the help they need, and thus suffer in silence. In many cases, the torture of stigma leads to suicide. We, the Church, can educate ourselves and others, removing misconceptions, and offering compassion as well as practical assistance to those who are affected by mental illness. As the conference’s keynote speaker, Kay Warren, shared, we all need a place where we don’t have to whisper, where we don’t have to pretend. The leadership of St. George is committed to providing such a place for us all, but it takes every one of us to truly be successful. The good news is that it doesn’t require any effort or special training, just the willingness to be a friend. “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Matthew 7:12
~Therese
To St. George School Parents, Parishioners, and Friends:
You are invited to attend a new Bible based study on John Ortberg’s book, “If You Want To Walk On 
Water, You Have To Get Out Of The Boat.” There will be a short video presentation followed by a brief discussion of the lesson led by Alicia Warr and Pat Whitehouse, both members of the St. George Family. The study will start Tuesday, September 27, 12 noon to 1:00 pm and will meet in St. John’s Room, upstairs in the Learning Center. Feel free to bring a lunch.
Hope to see you on Tuesday, September 27!
St. George will host Truckin’ Tomato Mobile Farmer’s Market on September 14th from 2:00 PM-7:00 PM. They’ll park in the Castle Lane lot for your convenience and they’ll return on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the Castle Lane lot. We’ve invited them to our campus to take a little crazy out of your week and to let you shop for healthy food right here! This isn’t a fundraiser, just a way for us to tell you thank you! You may pre-order using the Truckin’ Tomato website or just walk up and shop.
It may not be common knowledge that St. George has sponsored a 4-H shooting sports team for the past 9 years – The Bexar County 4-H Shooting Sports team – which includes a large Archery team. Over the past year the archery team has secured multiple National titles – 7 first place, 7 second place and 6 third place finishes – and even more State Championships. In addition, Wilson Watson, Grandson to Roy and Pat Thompson, earned a place on the 2016 US Archery Field Team. He earned the bronze medal in the qualifications and then clenched his place on the team in a single arrow shootoff against the 4th place archer. He is one of only 3 Junior Barebow Archers representing Team USA in Dublin, Ireland at the September 2016 World Field Archery Championships. Wilson was introduced to archery through 4-H shooting sports and has been competing for the past 7 years. Wilson, his parents, his grandparents and the Bexar County 4-H shooting sports club thank St. George for supporting the shooting sports program and making this amazing achievement possible.
-Roy Thompson
Each Sunday at 9:45 AM we will be doing a HANDS-ON service activity in our Gathering Area. To make each of these activities a success, we need your help! Please consider donating any of the following items from the list at the bottom of this email PRIOR to the Sunday when the activity is scheduled. You may drop off your donations at the front desk any weekday from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, or on Sunday morning prior to the date the items are needed.
Traveling and can’t make it to help? Please consider offering a cash donation so we can pick up the needed items for you. Click here to make the donation via PayPal. You can also give cash or check in an envelope marked with ‘Summer of Service.’
Donation Items needed by Friday, June 10
Magdalena House Activity #2: Newcomers’ Baskets or Hampers for New Residents.
- New twin sheet sets and twin size mattress covers
- New towel sets
- New pillows
- Other welcoming items that are easily stored.
- Collapsible hampers
- Small white boards or calendars
Magdalena House is a transitional home in San Antonio that serves mothers and children who have fled dangerous and abusive lives by providing transformation through education, nurturing community, and programming. Click here for our website for more information about Magdalena House and links to their site.
Click here if you would like to see the list of items that we need to have donated for the entire Summer of Service.
Each Sunday at 9:45 AM we will be doing a HANDS-ON service activity in our Gathering Area. To make each of these activities a success, we need your help!
Please consider donating any of the following items PRIOR to the Sunday when the activity is scheduled. You may drop off your donations at the front desk any weekday from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, or on Sunday morning prior to the date the items are needed.
Traveling and can’t make it to help? Please consider offering a cash donation so we can pick up the needed items for you. Click here to make the donation via PayPal. You can also give cash or check in an envelope marked with ‘Summer of Service.’
PRIORITY ITEMS NEEDED – by Friday, June 3
Back to School Packages for Mothers and Children at Magdalena House
Supplies for School Children
- Insulated lunch box with reusable containers for food and drink
- Backpacks
- Mats for naptime at school
- Crayons
- Pencils
- Markers
Supplies for Mothers Attending School
- Spiral notebooks and binders with notebook paper
- Weekly planner
- Pens/pencils/highlighters
- Reusable lunch box supplies
- Adult backpacks
Our new Connections Center in the Narthex is here to serve you! If you are in need with help or assistance with any of the following, we have iPads available and people ready to answer your questions.
- Check your Ministry Schedule
- Make an electronic donation
- Update your contact information
- Complete an electronic visitor card to request more information about St. George
- Register for an upcoming Baptism or Confirmation
- Submit an electronic Prayer Request (you may also request this through our Prayer Teams)
- Request a Letter of Transfer to become a member of St. George
- Submit a new or updated Promise Plan to St. George for your time, talent, and treasure.
Magdalena House is a transitional home in San Antonio that serves mothers and children who have fled dangerous and abusive lives by providing transformation through education, nurturing community, and programming. (Click here for more about Magdalena House).
We have three mission activities for Magdalena House in June. Please click here for the items that we need to have donated for the following activities:
- Back-to-School Supplies for Mothers and Children
- Newcomers’ Baskets for New Residents
- Birthday in A Bag Kits
- Notes of Support and Encouragement
This summer at St. George we will be expanding our on-campus service opportunities! Each Sunday in summer, we will be holding a hands-on service opportunity between worship services at 9:45 AM in the Gathering Area. Summer will be full of travel and fun, but God’s work is never done! When you and your family are in San Antonio, we invite you to be a part of the Good News and to participate in our projects for Magdalena House, Larkspur Elementary, and West Avenue Compassion before and after you attend worship. Watch the eSpear for more details.
The St. George community had a blast while supporting the Chain of Love! “Down for the Count” played some Texas classics and fun Bluegrass music while the kids played in our gorgeous courtyard last Friday night. Thank you to all who came out to have some fun and support the Chain of Love!
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- Down For The Count
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- Beautiful Night in Our Courtyard
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- Called to Serve!