AFRICAN AMERICAN FAITH-BASED BEREAVEMENT INITIATIVE 

While African American families are disproportionately affected by stillbirth and infant mortality, they are, overall, less likely to access bereavement support resources. Families often cite a lack of recognition of their need for support within the network of support in their own faith community. To respond to the needs of families within their faith community, the National Center for Cultural Competence - SIDS and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Project and National SIDS/SUID Program Support Center at First Candle have partnered to create the African American Faith-Based Bereavement Initiative (AAFBBI.) Funded by NICHD and MCHB, this curriculum was created specifically for the African American Christian faith community to improve supports for families experiencing these losses. The curriculum was developed in partnership with an expert group of clergy knowledgeable about bereavement support 

There are eight modules in the interactive distance learning experience. There is no cost for using this resource. 

It is designed for several audiences. The training can be used by clergy in churches, those who serve as chaplains in health care settings and those who may serve as pastoral counselors to enhance their support for families who experience pregnancy or infant losses. It is also designed for use by lay leaders within churches who want to improve their communities’ responses to grieving families. The modules can be utilized in seminary courses and seminars to assure that clergy in training are prepared to support the unique bereavement needs of families that experience infant and pregnancy loss. 

You can access this curriculum at: http://nccc.georgetown.edu/AAFBBI/index.html 

 PASTORS ACHIEVING TOTAL HEALTH  (P.A.T.H)     

Too often clergy forsake their own care in order to care for others. As a result of this self-neglect, clergy often suffer silently with poor physical health as evidenced by obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease as well as poor psychological health as evidenced by depression, anxiety, and burnout. On the interpersonal level, the self-neglecting leader’s family also suffers, resulting in strained relationships, divorce, and unhealthy attention-seeking behaviors from children. On the congregational level, self-neglecting clergy can harm their congregations by crossing emotional and sexual boundaries and by modeling unhealthy behavior, yet clergy can also be harmed by their congregation’s unrealistic expectations and lack of understanding about the pastor’s needs and the pastor’s role. 

The P.A.T.H. Program is a 6-month educational and transformational program structured to provide Christian clergy with the encouragement, support, and resources needed to actively engage in on-going self-care. By participating in this pilot program, clergy will gain tools necessary to constructively address their individual, relational, and congregational health needs. Visit and access the  PATH Program  

Relationship Repair and Care Clinc 

Is there tension, confusion, or frustration in your home or in your heart? If so, counseling may be helpful for you. Repair and Care provides short and long-term counseling for individuals, couples, children, families and groups. Visit  Repair and Care to schedule an apointment.