Act 39/40 #TIME

Feeling a little burnt out after 38 days of being intentional about your generosity? That’s ok… We’re human, we get tired. We can’t do it all. Not in our own strength, anyways. Sometimes it’s important to rest. Today we look at how even in our state of rest, we can be generous with our presence, and our prayers.

Several years ago, as part of my recovery from a mental health crisis, along with my local church we set up a wellbeing space in Nottingham.

After years of trying too hard to be a good Christian, to “help” or “fix” others, I was completely burnt out. Together we learnt how to give more sustainably whilst also learning to receive from God and others. I was so delighted to find that the simple space, with its warm welcome, shared hobbies and prayerful rhythms ended up not being about me "giving" to others but more about me "receiving" from each person who came through our doors. I began to see each person as a gift not as a problem to be fixed.

God began to teach me slower, steadier rhythms of life

and what started out as me wanting to give to those who struggled with their mental health ended up being about us all seeing that giving and receiving is good for our wellbeing and being willing to be the receiver sometimes is important too.

There are now nearly 300 such centres around the UK and beyond. Each space begins with our own simple habits of wellbeing and the willingness to share these with others. Our prayer habits are part of this offer to our communities. A Renew Wellbeing space can be run by any local church and is simple, safe and sustainable.

There are three principles. Be present. Just give a little of your time each week to show up and attend to wellbeing together. Be prayerful. Be willing to share simple prayer rhythms and quiet spaces of peace. Be in partnership. Work with mental health services and other organisations locally to see wellbeing renewed in your area.

Giving that keeps on giving. Receiving that keeps on receiving.

Ruth Rice, Renew Wellbeing

Reflect

"God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:6 (NIV)

Pray

Pray for churches as they serve the most vulnerable in society, asking you for wisdom in decision-making and pastoral care. We pray for the leaders of local welfare provision, that they would know joy in their work and support from the communities they serve.

Act

Acts for you to consider today:

			Have a proper chat! Phone Granny, cousin or a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.
			Offer a few hours of your expertise to a church, charity, or school, it might be just what they need.
			Book some leave and offer your time and talents to an organisation that would benefit from having you volunteer your time.

Share

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About Renew Wellbeing

Renew Wellbeing is a Christian charity that wants to see an end to isolation and better mental health for all. We help churches to open wellbeing spaces based around quiet prayer. Being present, being prayerful and being in partnership with local mental health teams, we have found these quiet shared spaces, where its OK not to be OK, to be simple yet effective in addressing some of the huge isolation issues around mental health and wellbeing.

Any church regardless of size or denomination can get in touch and we will help you get started. We are excited to see churches hear God's call to bring all that is great about wellbeing in church community out of the box and onto the high street.

With one in four having a diagnosed mental illness, it's time for churches to partner with local services to bring hope and belonging through this simple strength-based approach.

Support Renew Wellbeing