Faith, Family, and Resilience for the Holidays

Thursday, November 4, 7:00-8:30

We look forward to this opportunity to gather with you soon! This private web page contains the Zoom link for joining Faith, Family, and Resilience, as well as some additional resources you might find helpful as we head into the season of holidays.

Should you need help with this page, please reach out to Tracy Methe, Missioner for Baptismal Living, at Tracy@EpiscopalColorado.org or 720.677.9016.

Getting Ready

Here are some tips to help you get ready for our time together:

  • Give yourself permission to be fully present for the 90 minutes.
  • Find a comfortable and if possible distraction-free location to participate. Consider adding a candle, and bring a paper and pencil or pen should you wish to jot down something you wish to remember.
  • Know that you will be invited to share your thoughts and experiences, but that this is an invitation and you are always welcome to pass.
  • Be prepared to accept the gifts of what others might share without comment or judgement.

Course Flow

Thank you for joining us for Faith, Family, and Resilience for the Holidays on November 4.
We are grateful to the Rev Elizabeth Denham Thompson for sharing her slides with us.

The Rev. Elizabeth Denham Thompson is an ACPE psychotherapist, clergy coach, and congregational consultant. She is the founder of Eremos Consulting Group, a company devoted to consulting with and coaching clergy and congregations. Eremos is Greek for “wilderness desert.”  She chose this image because the wilderness desert is a complex place of desolation as well as a place of renewal and transformative encounters with the sacred. She is also a Pastoral Counselor, a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, a congregational consultant and coach, a spiritual director, a non-profit consultant, and a facilitator for board retreats, leadership development, workshops, and other kinds of events.

The Lamplight Mental Health Support Group was founded at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Boulder, Colorado. As a community, St. Mary Magdalene made a commitment to making mental health a safe topic for conversation. This confidential group meets two times per month via Zoom, one time as a support group and one time for an educational presentation. (Lamplight is not intended to replace any mental health treatment.) The group is facilitated by St. Mary Magdalene members Doreen Miller and Carly Fox.

All are welcome! For questions, contact St. Mary Magdalene’s office at 303-530-1421.

“The Lamps are different, but the light is the same.” – Rumi

Some Resources

  1. Prayer and reflection are a great place to begin. Start the day with 15 minutes just to be quiet, breathe and calm your spirit. Talk to God, read scripture or draw on the other spiritual practices that are most nourishing to you.
  2. Make sure to remember the basics and getting plenty of rest, as this will make all the difference in what energy you will have each day.
  3. Plan to eat regular meals, with the healthiest foods you have available. Remember that we all may be less active in these days of more isolation, so be sure to adjust your portion sizes to reflect this.
  4. Find ways to exercise and move your body and keep your muscles active. Exercise in your home or take a walk, hike, run, or bike ride. Perhaps check out an online yoga class.
  5. Tend to your feelings of stress and anxiety during this time. Meet with your spiritual director or therapist by Zoom or phone. Here are guidelines from the CDC on managing your stress.
  6. Begin reading that book you have been wishing you had time to enjoy, simply for pleasure.
  7. Connect with family and friends regularly by phone, text, Zoom or Skype.
  8. Find ways to do those things that bring you joy.
  9. Consider how God is present to you in new ways. This could be a great time to begin journaling about how you are being inspired and challenged.

Are you dreading an upcoming family gathering? Read this helpful (and humorous) article containing tips for getting through challenging family events. Read now >

In Western Christian tradition, Blue Christmas is the day with the longest night of the year. Increasingly popular, Blue Christmas liturgies are services of comfort, where people grieving or experiencing challenging life circumstances can gather with others for a time of prayer, singing, and reflection, and find hope knowing they are not alone.

Blue Christmas and Other Special Services You May Wish to Attend (If you have service you would like to include in this list, please contact Tracy Methe.)

Service of Lament, St. Mary Magdalene, Boulder – November 18, 7:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82730537839?pwd=UnhYMEZDZ1lmWWJkem5IQWRjdmRRQT09
Join by Phone: 253-215-8782, Meeting ID: 827 3053 7839 Passcode: 5267

Blue Christmas, St. Mary Magdalene, Boulder – December 4, 5:00 pm
Join online: https://zoom.us/j/3035301421?pwd=RTkrUXNBeGNGQy9WeWFCdGhLY0hhQT09
Join by phone: 253-215-8782, Meeting ID: 303 530 1421 Password: 5683