A Conversation for Those Standing at the Intersection of Faith and Mental Health |
|
|
Walking Slowly Together Towards Wholeness |
|
|
|
Humans love stories. We’re storytelling creatures. And one of the stories we love most are stories of lives being changed. We see those stories in Intersect and we love telling them. However, these stories are rarely as quick or as linear as we like. I was reminded of this when I asked our Intersect team to share some inspiring stories of their work with those we serve. After thinking about my request, one of our chaplains reflected, “we have a lot of broken people that are further along on their broken journeys”. If he’s right, and I think he is, a few things become clearer about how to support people still in the midst of their story.
First, the journey from brokenness to wholeness often takes time. Our job isn’t to get people all the way to the finish line today, but to simply help them get further along. Second, people typically don’t get further along by themselves. Any of us experiencing the brokenness that comes from shattering trauma or mental health struggles will need companions on the journey toward wholeness. This is no surprise since our Creator not only designed us as storytelling creatures but as relational beings in need of a relationship with both God and fellow humans. My own journey of change as a follower of Christ involves trusting in the biblical promise that one day complete wholeness and restoration will arrive. But until that day comes, patience is required to live out what Euguene Peterson called a long obedience in the same direction. While this kind of incremental growth over time might not always feel like an exciting story, we’ve discovered in Intersect that it’s often the path and pace of real change. So, where might you need to adjust your speed and expectations to help someone in your life to get just a little further along?
|
|
|
|
Dave Eckert, MDiv., Senior Director of Intersect |
|
|
|
Ministry at the Edges of Memory: Pastoral Care for People Living with Dementia |
Exploring how faith leaders and their congregations can offer meaningful and effective pastoral care to people affected by dementia. Faith communities have a unique and vital calling: not only to welcome and care for the forgetful in our midst but also to serve as memory-keepers for the larger society. Seen through a pastoral lens, dementia becomes not merely a clinical diagnosis but a sacred invitation—to connection, compassion, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be human. Wednesday, May 6, 2026
8 - 8:30 am | Hot Breakfast
8:30 - 10 am | Presentation St. Luke's Penn Foundation
Loux Healthcare Center | Univest Community Room
807 Lawn Avenue, Sellersville |
|
|
|
Spiritual Tools & Resources for Substance Use Clinicians - May 14th from 10AM – 11:30AM |
This training will provide clinicians with tools and resources for navigating the faith and spirituality of those they serve in a way that’s consistent with recognized principles of recovery. Particular attention will be given to the practices of spiritual assessment, spiritual support/skill building, and connecting people to external resources and faith communities. |
|
|
|
Bucks-Mont 2026 Community Summit |
Bold On Purpose - Leading Audaciously On Purpose
A one-day summit featuring inspiring keynotes, practical breakout sessions, and purpose-driven conversations and networking. Come for courage and community; leave with partners, tools, and bold next steps to advance your mission. Wednesday, May 20
9:30AM - 3:30PM
$45 for Bucks Mont Members
Gwynedd Mercy University, Frances M. Maguire ’55 Healthcare Innovation Center 1325 Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437 |
|
|
|
Intersect Missional Partnership |
|
|
|
Every day, we encounter people who struggle silently with anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges. Many of these people are participating in congregations while carrying burdens they do not or cannot name. Intersect exists to provide them with spiritual support, connection to resources and greater integration into a local church.
Intersect is sustained through the generosity and partnership of churches who recognize that caring for those with mental health conditions is a vital part of the Church’s calling. Your support directly enables us to serve those who might otherwise go without care, and we would be honored to explore how your church might collaborate with us.
Contact Dave Eckert 215-816-9608 deckert@accessservices.org to discuss partnership opportunities or make an immediate donation below. |
|
|
|
| Intersect is brought to you by: |
|
| |
|
|
