Jan. 31 training to show churches
how to aid addiction recovery

“It is a story about the power of God through the church to educate congregations about the ‘miracle of recovery from addictions,’” said J. Robb Bartlett, member of UM Church of the Servant, Oklahoma City.
“The result of our recovery worship service and education forum is that members came forward for more information, and the team started receiving referrals from clergy.”
Cheryl Coltrin, team facilitator of the alcohol and drug ministry at Coker UMC, San Antonio, said, “Someone approaches one of our team members each Sunday asking for information or for privacy to have a conversation. We have started a weekly parent support group, Parents of Adult Children who are Addicted, because of the expressed need.”
The Rev. Jim Mardock of Colby (Kan.) UMC, said, “Until recently, I, along with other pastors in this community, have been totally unaware, totally in denial about the extent of addiction’s impact on our community. I attended AlAnon to help my son and then slowly realized it was all about helping me recover from the effects of addiction.”
All three of these UM congregations have a Faith Partners team ministry. The ministry endorsed by the General Board of Church and Society is being expanded through a partnership with the Special Project on Substance Abuse and Related Violence housed at the General Board of Global Ministries.
Faith communities in Austin can turn pain and suffering into hope, healing and celebration, and congregations can prepare parents to provide important guidance and assist young people to make responsible decisions.
St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 606 W. 15th St., Austin, is hosting a Faith Partners leadership training on alcohol and other drug team ministry approaches Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
This session will introduce clergy and congregational leadership to a successful step-by-step model for developing the prevention and recovery support team ministry currently used by numerous congregations in several states.
Trish Merrill, director, and Drew Brooks, project coordinator, of the Rush Center of Johnson Institute will be the presenters. The center, based in Austin, provides tools, training, materials and technical assistance to equip congregations with an effective, comprehensive and sustainable lay ministry.
Call the Rush Center at (512) 451-9504 or (888) 451-9527 to register. Registration deadline is Jan. 24.