Lancaster ‘Churches Care’ program aims to help leaders support those with mental illness, addiction

The first place many people go to seek help for mental illness or addiction is not the hospital, or a counselor or treatment center, according to Linda Witmer, director of Eastern Mennonite University’s RN-BSN program. Instead, it’s their local church.*

“Church leaders and health professionals in congregations need to be educated and prepared to respond, support and know when and how to refer people to additional community support services and treatment providers,” said Witmer, based at EMU’s Lancaster, Pa., site. 

Now a program sponsored by We Rise International, GOAL Project F.A.I.T.H Initiative Program, Everence and hosted by EMU Lancaster invites church leaders to learn more, tap into resources, help reduce stigma and increase acceptance for individuals with a mental illness or addiction.

The ‘Churches Care’ three-pronged program for church leaders (pastors, parish nurses, nurses, social workers or other lay persons) hosted by EMU Lancaster will strengthen churches and communities in their support of people in their congregation who have mental illnesses and addictions.

Participating churches receive:

  • Two Saturday workshops 
    • Increase your knowledge and skills in responding to mental illnesses and addictions
    • Reduce stigma and strengthen the ability of your church to support people who are experiencing  mental illnesses and addictions
    • Provide appropriate referrals and partner with community services 
  • 18 months of professional clinical mental health and addictions guidance to help church leaders address individual needs that arise in their churches
  • Educational resources for congregational education and ongoing online network connection with churches in the program 

The program is offered in Lancaster on March 7 and 21, and in Chambersburg, May 2 and 16. Each meeting is from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Cost is $120/ person and includes

  • 2 Saturday training dates
  • 15 contact hours (7.5/day)
  • continental breakfast, snacks and lunch both days
  • 1 1/2  years (18 months) of on-call professional clinical mental health and addictions guidance to help church leaders address individual needs  that arise in their churches printed resources for congregational education

Contact Hours: Available for registered nurses, and CEUs for pastors. EMU is an approved provider by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for non-credit continuing education for registered nurses. 

Presenters

Janelle Bitikofer is a mental health and addictions counselor and educator with more than twenty years of experience assisting individuals and families. She has worked in all levels of mental health and addictions treatment, from psychiatric hospitals and inpatient drug treatment programs to outpatient counseling and emergency response services. Janelle is the Executive Director of We Rise International and the author of “Streetlights” a mental health and addictions guidebook for Christians. She’s served in leadership roles in various churches since 1996.

Scott Theurer is a person in long term recovery from addiction.  He is also a Recovery Support Specialist working within the Center of Excellence Program at T.W. Ponessa and Associates Counseling Services in Lancaster, an opioid treatment and recovery program.  He is also a trainer for the GOAL PROJECT, a global organization that assists faith organizations and congregations build sustainable addiction prevention or recovery support ministries. He is the chairperson for the Lancaster County Recovery Alliance, has been involved with the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission’s Advisory Board, Project Lazarus Lancaster, Lancaster County Joining Forces, and is on the Board of Directors with the Elizabethtown area Communities That Care.  He works with individuals to establish and maintain recovery from opioid and heroin addictions.

Linda E. Witmer is the director of the RN-BS in Nursing program at EMU Lancaster. She has 18 years of college-level teaching experience in nursing programs: Linda international experience, serving under both Mennonite Central Committee and Eastern Mennonite Mission with the K’ekchi’ Maya in Guatemala.  Her work as a community health nurse in Coatesville, PA led to the initiation of Bridge of Hope, Inc. a non-profit organization serving homeless women and children. Linda is also a trained spiritual director and leads retreats. She is involved in leadership roles at Laurel Street Mennonite Church.

Everence logo