Pentecost 20

Lectionary Bible Readings

Job 23:1-9,16-17
Psalm  22:1-15
Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:17-31

In the closing words of the passage[Mark 10:27], Jesus makes it clear that own efforts can never put us in possession of eternal life. What we cannot do, Christ has done for us, and does in us. We pray for the grace to reject what stands between us and him and surrender ourselves to him, so that eternal life will enter into us here on earth.

https://www.sacredspace.ie/scripture/mark-1017-27-0

Mental Health Day, 10 October

People struggling with mental health issues often find themselves isolated, lonely and left to cope on their own. This month reminds us how important it is to reach out and support those in the community who suffer in silence. Simple things, like paying attention, listening carefully, and offering support, can mean much to someone having a mental health episode.

The best guidance for attending to someone struggling in this way is not to judge, not to dismiss their concerns as trivial, and not to try to cheer them up. Deep listening, quietly empathising, compassionate support, are the best things to offer such a person.

Within the Uniting Church, we have a long partnership with Lifeline, which provides Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. In fact, Lifeline started as a ministry outreach from the Methodist Church, a precursor to the Uniting Church; it began in Sydney as an initiative of the late Alan Walker, superintendent minister of the then Central Methodist Mission. Lifeline (13 11 14) is always just a phone call away. See https://www.lifeline.org.au/

On their website, Lifeline states that when you ring them, you will talk with a person who will: “Listen without judgment — Provide a safe space to discuss your needs, worries or concerns — and Work with you to explore options for support”. That’s a model that we each can seek to implement in our own interactions with people we know who may be experiencing a mental health episode.

Excerpt from article from Rev Dr John Squires, Presbytery Minister – Wellbeing
https://mailchi.mp/6ee1de5cb008/crp-notices-5313239?e=4b238d7729