What’s Happening at Emsworth U.P.? Fall 2014 Edition

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Fall Schedule Begins on September 21

Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.

Fellowship/Coffee Time at 10:30 a.m.

Announcements at 10:55 a.m.

Worship at 11:00 a.m.


New Adult Sunday School Class Begins on September 21 at 9:45 AM


Mental illness in all of its manifestations is a common occurrence in many, many, many families.  Making no distinction between age, class, race or income level, mental illness is amazing pervasive, yet it is one of those topics that seem taboo in our culture and, most particularly, in the church.  The media portrays people with mental illness as violent or dangerous people, and many find it difficult to access the services and care they need.

While most people will speak openly of their struggles with physical disease, very few feel comfortable disclosing their struggles with depression, schizophrenia, and other sorts of mental illness.  Some people suffering from illnesses such as clinical depression do not speak about their illness because too often they have heard unhelpful or hurtful advice such as, “If you were more faithful (or prayed more or trusted God more), you wouldn’t be so sad” or “Why can’t you just cheer up?”  or “Maybe you need more exercise (sunlight, vitamins, etc., etc., etc.)

We will spend four weeks talking about mental illness — from biblical representations of people who suffer and the ways in which they are treated by their communities, to conversations about how congregations can be safe and supportive places for people who suffer from mental illness or who have family members who suffer.

Two books will be guiding our conversations —

Darkness Is My Only Companion: A Christian Response to Mental Illness by Kathryn Greene-McCreight

Blessed Are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness, Family and Church by Sarah Griffith Lund  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anAW2ZqsejE

New Beginnings/Unglued Church — Monthly Dinners/Discussion Groups 

Will Begin On October 13 –New Date!



Many thanks to all who participated in the 6 weeks of weekly conversations about the New Beginnings assessment for Emsworth U.P. Church.  Particular thanks to our leaders:  Jean Ackerman, Donna Hunter, Tom and Marti Smart, Jon and Bez Stellfox, and our Adaptive Change Apprentice, Rev. Sarah Robbins.
The next step in the Unglued Church process is to begin our work in discerning what adaptive changes we will undertake as a church to become a blessing to our community.  Many possibilities were discovered during the New Beginnings house meetings, all of which require our continuing conversation, prayer and discernment.
We will gather for a series of meals, at least monthly, over the next 9 – 12 months to continue dreaming and talking together.  The first meal will be held on Monday, October 13 at 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.  More details to come but please mark the date on your calendar!

Time To Spruce Up Our Fellowship/Meeting Space

Come out on Saturday, October 4 at 9:00 a.m. to join our crew in painting the mini-meeting room downstairs.  There will be donuts!  Coffee!  Did we mention donuts?!!  Come out and give us a hand.  This is part of our continuing effort to update our spaces to make our building useful and attractive for the community.