The Sanctuary Course

The Sanctuary Course equips churches as they seek to become sanctuaries where people with mental health challenges feel safe, supported, and a sense of belonging. Designed as a study guide for small groups, the course offers participants the opportunity to redefine their understanding of mental health, learn about various experiences of mental illness, consider the impact of stigma, explore the process of recovery, discover the importance of companionship, reflect on the experience of caregiving, and examine self-care practices. Each session is accompanied by a compelling film that features the story of a Christian with lived experience of a mental health challenge, along with the insights of church leaders, theologians, and mental health professionals.

Schedule: 


January 9 - Session 1: Mental Health

January 16 - Session 2: Mental Illness

January 23 - Session 3: Stigma

January 30 - Session 4: Recovery

February 7 - Session 5: Companionship

break (Feb 14 is our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper!)
Feb 21 - Session 6: Caregiving

Feb 28 - Session 7: Self-Care

March 5 - Session 8: Reflection

We will meet on Zoom from 7-8:30pm and our time together will include an opening psalm, watching a short film together, some discussion in breakout rooms, and a concluding exercise and prayer. Before each session, there will also be a little bit of reading (8-10 pages) to prepare us for that week’s material.