Care & Compassion Series
The Care and Compassion Series is a special program designed to equip the congregation with tools and insights for providing thoughtful, meaningful support to those facing life’s challenges. Through a series of discussions, participants learn practical ways to care for others through listening, prayer, or acts of service. The series also offers guidance on caring for oneself while caring for others, fostering a spirit of empathy and connection within the church community. This initiative helps deepen the church’s commitment to sharing Christ’s love through acts of compassion.
October 22
Changing Smiles, Changing Lives
10:45 - 11:30 AM | Lewis Room
Dr. Christian J. Vercler, Director of the Craniofacial Anomalies Program at UM, and Associate Director of Bioethics at the Center for Bioethics & Social Sciences in Medicine at Michigan
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Discussing how the practice of medicine can be an important part of Christ’s redemptive work in a fallen world, and how his theological understandings inform discourse on ethical dilemmas in contemporary medical practice. Dr. Vercler’s surgical practice is focused on children born with facial differences (e.g. cleft lip) and adults who have acquired facial differences from trauma, burns, or cancer. He was on the team that did the first successful conjoined twin separation in Michigan a few years ago, which is pretty interesting. I think a lot about our embodiment and how changing our appearance and structure of our bodies impacts human flourishing, which I take to be a part of what it means to “have life more abundantly.” He is currently working on conversation with physicians about the moral duty of surgeons to care for patients who have complications from “medical tourism” (flying to another country to have discounted or sketchy surgical procedures.)
November 3
The Worrisome Mental Health of our Youth: What can we do?
10:45 - 11:30 AM | Lewis Room
​Emily Laird Bilek, Clinical Associate Professor, UM
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Dr. Bilek is a board-certified Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. She is passionate about improving access to effective treatments for youth anxiety, obsessive compulsive, and related disorders. She pursues this passion by contributing to research to improve available treatments, by researching and reducing barriers to accessing treatment, by developing programming that is more accessible to youth, and by providing trainings in the community. She is also passionate about teaching and supervises trainees across disciplines through the Child OCD and Anxiety Disorders Program.
December 1
The Inevitable Winter Solstice: The Disorienting Darkness of Grief. Helping those who Mourn through the Holidays
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10:45 - 11:30 AM | Lewis Room
Christy Miller, LMSW, ACSW: Program Director, GrieveWell
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While the holiday season is filled with family, friends, and festivities, holidays can be a painful time for those who are grieving the loss – recent or past – of a loved one. This community gathering is an invitation to connect, learn and navigate challenging emotions during the holiday season. Christy is the programmatic key to the GrieveWell’s professional and thoughtful efforts to support those in grief. Christy is a licensed clinical social worker and has more than 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist for individuals, groups, and families. She provides a talented and professional perspective and ability as she trains and guides GrieveWell’s peer counselors to help our clients appropriately. Christy oversees their grief training and workshops, and ensures they reflect best practices and are informed by real-life experiences.
January 13
Understanding Vicarious Trauma: Recognition and Resilience Strategies for Caregivers
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7:00 PM | Monteith Hall & Livestream
Hava Zuidema, LPC
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Join us for an insightful lecture led by Licensed Professional Counselor Hava Zuidema. This session will delve into the concept of vicarious trauma—the emotional and psychological impact of caring for those who have experienced trauma.
February 10
Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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7:00 PM | Monteith Hall
Emily Laird Bilek , Clinical Associate Professor, UM
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Dr. Bilek is a board-certified Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. She is passionate about improving access to effective treatments for youth anxiety, obsessive compulsive, and related disorders. She pursues this passion by contributing to research to improve available treatments, by researching and reducing barriers to accessing treatment, by developing programming that is more accessible to youth, and by providing trainings in the community. She is also passionate about teaching and supervises trainees across disciplines through the Child OCD and Anxiety Disorders Program.
March 10
UM’s Alcohol Management Program
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7:00 PM | Monteith Hall
Bethany Lemm, MPH, MSW
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UM Health's Alcohol Management Program (AMP) offers brief, confidential health education and one-on-one counseling to anyone with mild to moderate alcohol problems. What is best? Abstinence or Moderation? The program serves anyone who wants to make changes to their alcohol use. Their clients include U-M faculty, staff, retirees, Michigan Medicine patients, and the general public. Through Zoom and phone options, they able to help clients nationwide.
April 14
The Relationship of Trauma and Substance Abuse
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7:00 PM | Monteith Hall
Kristal Reyes LMSW, MPH, CAADC
School of Social Work University of Michigan, University of Michigan - Dearborn
May 12
The Art of Spiritual Care in a Hospital Setting
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7:00 PM | Monteith Hall
Rev. Eileen Jewell, retired PCUSA clergy
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Rev. Eileen Jewell is a retired hospital chaplain from Tampa General Hospital in Florida. Married to Richard Jewell, she currently resides in Pinckney and Crystal River, Florida, where she can be near her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.