WISE Covenant
The WISE Congregation for Mental Health Resolution was adopted at the United Church of Christ (UCC) General Synod in 2015 with an objective to encourage congregations to provide a warm welcome, promote inclusion, and offer support for all who live with mental health challenges, brain disorders, and substance abuse issues. Metanoia Church of Transformation UCC has embraced UCC’s call to be Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged (WISE) in the mental health of each other and the greater community by welcoming and offering inclusion, support, and encouragement to people with the above concerns and those who love and support them. We strive to promote understanding and compassion, reduce stigma through education and support activities, and partner with local community agencies that support and advocate for those living with these challenges.
At Metanoia, we seek to be a community that cares for the whole person. We recognize that mental wellness is on a continuum and that stressors, loss, and life events can challenge us at any point. Since one in four people is living with a diagnosable mental health condition, it is safe to say that many among us and those we encounter in our lives are dealing with mental health and substance abuse challenges every day. Others may struggle with brain disorders such as dementia, autism, and traumatic brain injury. Our congregation’s atmosphere of openness and acceptance makes members, friends, and visitors more likely to feel safe and free from judgment. This acceptance and sense of safety can create a place of belonging where truly everyone, no matter where they are on life’s journey towards mental wellness, is welcome.