 Serious Mental Illness is the term used
for a group of disorders causing a severe disturbance in thinking, feeling
and/or relating. The result is a substantially diminished capacity for
coping with the ordinary demands of life. Today in this country,
approximately one in four people, in all age groups are touched by this
illness.
Read more...
Learn more about
Serious Mental Illness Awareness Sunday
Resources for inclusion and support of people living with
severe and persistent mental illness:
Read the
Presbytery/North Church Partnership
Covenant
 |
History: Kalamazoo North was
founded in 1864 by four young women of First Presbyterian who began a
Sabbath School for people settling in the north east side of Kalamazoo at
the corner of what is now Gull Road and Riverview. From the beginning those
who came to the weekly gatherings included low income immigrants from other
parts of the United States coming north for opportunity and to live in
freedom. The Presbytery of the time officially chartered the congregation in
1878. From its founding days, the congregation has placed itself in the
midst of residents who are poor and struggling with all the issues that
poverty exacts on people. It has been a congregation whose members represent
many caring professions: social work, nursing, teaching, community based
work such as feeding the hungry. The congregation with its pastors has been
instrumental in establishing a wide array of community ministries including
Ministry with Community, Habitat for Humanity, Housing Resources, Inc., and
now a ministry of accompaniment, inclusion and support with people living
with severe and persistent mental illness. This ministry, The Togetherness
Group, began in 1988 under the pastorate of Rev. Fred Cunningham. Facing the
end of state support for community based programs of social support, several
members of the congregation asked Rev. Cunningham if it would be possible to
begin a social group for members of the church dealing with mental illness
issues. With consultation and support from the Session, the congregation
embarked on what has been a life changing journey for the congregation and a
life affirming ministry with people living with mental illness and other
disabilities. |
Intentional
Mission
