Intentional and Interruptible |
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Recently amid a busy day, I was about to do what I had been longing to do for hours. Being the introvert I am, I like to sit down with a book, think deeply for a half hour, and recharge my batteries for the rest of the day. However, within three seconds of opening my book someone came over to me, apologized for interrupting and asked if we could talk for a bit. At that moment I had two thoughts run through my mind. The first thought was frustration; “I thought being intentional around self-care was a good thing that others should respect?!” The second thought was conviction; “Shouldn’t I be willing to be interrupted by people I care about?!” Which of these two thoughts should we listen to in such moments? For those at the intersection of faith and mental health, the answer is both. The mental health field espouses both self-care and community. The faith community encourages the spiritual disciplines of both solitude and service. Wellness and spiritual maturity require being both intentional and interruptible. We see a great example of this combination in Jesus. He was intentional about time away in that “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying” (Mark 1:35). However, he was also interruptible in that when others “searched for him”, he left his solitude and said, “let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too” (Mark 1:38). The summer months will bring increased opportunities to be intentional in slowing down for self-care. However, this season will also bring additional moments of interruption as we often spend more time with family and friends. Whether on a summer vacation or just trying to find a healthy work/life balance, may we develop the discernment to be equally intentional and interruptible. |
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David Eckert, Director of Intersect |
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Recommended Resources
Below are resources for the purpose of wellness, education, and service. |
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The Care Ministry Podcast Building a culture of care in your church can feel as complex as the people you serve. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Laura Howe offers listeners practical resources and actionable strategies to support leader’s well-being, strengthen volunteer teams and equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to care for your community.
With over 15 years of experience as a community mental health clinician, Laura, founder of Hope Made Strong specializes in Community Development Strategies. You will be encouraged as you listen to expert guests get real with how they overcame challenges and developed best-practice methods of reaching and caring for your church and community. If you want to develop a culture of care in your church and support your community without burning out your leaders, this is the podcast for you. Listen to the latest episode #42. How to Build Community Partners with Dave Eckert at the link below. |
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The Campaign to Protect the Unhoused in Montgomery County With the closing of the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center – CHOC – Montgomery County no longer has a year-round shelter for single adults. A new facility could take up to 2 years until opening. A temporary shelter needs to be opened now to provide a safe place for those in need of housing. Join us for a rally to raise awareness & advocate for a temporary shelter. When: Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 10 am Where: The Courthouse Steps, Swede Street Norristown, PA For more information or to get involved, please call Bill England at 215-874-7136 or email Bill@pahealthaccess.org "The Campaign to Protect the Unhoused" is a project of the Here For Us Advocacy Coalition and partners. |
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Looking for a way to help those in your community? |
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Intersect: Community Needs Facebook Group This Facebook group functions as a care portal for faith communities who are looking to meet local needs in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. We will post needs specific to the individuals supported by Access Services. These may include needs for relational support, material resources, and/or monetary donations. We encourage you to share this page with your family and friends. While we started this page to provide concrete service opportunities to local faith communities, we encourage any community members who are interested in giving back to join! |
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Become a Foster Parent You can help a child make memories for a lifetime. There are many children and teens in your community who need people like you to open your heart and give them a safe, loving place to call home. Foster parents can make a difference in a child’s life by setting a good example and providing the time, care, and attention that every child deserves. |
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Become a Lifesharing Provider By becoming a Lifesharing Provider, you will have the opportunity to open your home and share your life with an adult with an intellectual disability. Your support and assistance will enrich an individual’s life by affording them the opportunity to become a fully participating member of their community and empowering them to reach for and achieve their goals and aspirations. |
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- What are ways you need to be more intentional about solitude and self-care in how you schedule your day, week, and year?
- What will help you become more graciously interruptible when people’s needs arise at the least convenient times?
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Do you have something to contribute or a question to ask? |
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Intersect is brought to you by: |
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Access Services
500 W Office Center Drive, Suite 100 | Fort Washington, Pennsylvania 19034
215-540-2150, x1286 deckert@accessservices.org |
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