Jan 30, 2023 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
It’s easy to spot someone who is full of confidence, but what does that actually mean? Why does confidence seem to come easier to some people than others? And what happens to our mental well-being when we persistently struggle to feel confident?
In this week’s Stronger Together conversation we’re going to talk about what it means to be confident, where it comes from, and
how we can boost it when we need a lift. Perhaps just as importantly, we’ll talk about when it’s okay
not to feel confident, and how we can be at peace with that mental state.
Our warm-up question for this week:
If you could take as many free vacations as you want for the rest of your life, but you were only allowed to go to one place for those vacations, where would you go and why? (since I know you’ll ask: yes, you can bring other people with you!)
Jan 18, 2023 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hi friends,
This week we’re going to talk about
one reason why we tend to do things that are perplexing even to us. You know the frustration: you think about a behavior you engaged in or a decision you made a few days ago and ask yourself, “
why did I do that?“
The concept we’re going to explore is called the “
empathy gap,” and it turns out that it’s a part of how we’re hard-wired as human beings. The good news is that by being more aware of it, we might (occasionally) be less prone to its downside effects when it comes to mental well-being.
Our warm-up question for this week:
What’s the best dish, recipe, or meal someone has ever cooked for you, and what makes it so special?
Here’s the login info for this Thursday at 7pm:
Meeting ID: 939 9668 7354
Passcode: 11815
– Alex Trouteaud
Jan 15, 2023 | Fellowship, Mental Health Ministry
On January 14, St. James’ parishioners again gathered their supportive furry companions and kids and anyone else who wanted to come along for a walk on the C & O Canal towpath. We explored Carderock South this time. It was a cold windy day, but the ducks were swimming and the dogs were moving along at a good clip. Join us for our next walk on February 11! Watch your email and our events calendar for information.
Jan 11, 2023 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hi friends,
Our topic for this week’s
Stronger Together conversation revolved around
the video we’ll watch. We’re going to dive back into the “basics” of mental health: what it is, how we define it, and what that means for better understanding mental illness. It may sound like an elementary topic, but it’s definitely not.
The video is just a few minutes long, but it is packed with really useful information. I found it both valuable and interesting, and I’m pretty sure that like me, you’ll learn a thing or two when you watch it. To that end, I recommend watching it once by yourself ahead of time, and then again while we’re all together on the call. There’s a lot to absorb and discuss!
Our warm-up question for this week:
What’s one fact about you that most people are surprised to learn?
Here’s the login info for this Thursday at 7pm:
Meeting ID: 939 9668 7354
Passcode: 11815
See you soon,
Alex Trouteaud
Jan 4, 2023 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hi friends,
Our warm-up question for this week:
What’s the worst–or funniest–New Year’s resolution you or someone you know ever made?
Here’s the login info for this Thursday at 7 p.m.:
Meeting ID: 939 9668 7354
Passcode: 11815
– Alex Trouteaud
May 12, 2022 | Mental Health Ministry, Prayer
Once again the Mental Health Leaders Group has a new batch of videos for you. The content is a little lighter than last time. This month we invite you to pray while walking, with children, after an argument, and with a simple art project when words are out of reach.
These prayers can accompany those who would like a companion or some guidance in their prayer time.
All of our Prayers on Demand videos can also be found on our website here: Prayers on Demand: A Way to Pray Together.
- “Shall We Go and Worship God?”: Rev. Meredith Heffner leads the children of St. James’ Children’s School in prayer. Join us with hand motions and an exuberant AMEN!
Are there other ways you would like to pray? Specific topics you’d like prayer videos for? Please let us know. Send email to Rev. James Isaacs at
[email protected].
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Find support and fellowship with “Stronger Together.” This St. James’ group meets Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. by Zoom to discuss a new mental health topic each week. Access to the meeting is shared on Thursdays in our weekly parish emails. Contact us to be added to the parish email list.
