Wyoming Interfaith Network Sunday Message, August 12, 2019

I am re-sending this message, it appears to me that the article did not fit on a phone screen, with the right side being chopped off. If you are like me, I get most of my emails on my phone. I will contact our email server and try to get that straightened out. I have not heard from anyone about that being a problem, but I’d rather fix it now so everyone has adequate access to the full body of the message. There may be a slight change in the schedule on Friday, with the possible addition of another speaker. I will continue to keep all of you up to date. Hope to see you at the meeting! Hello all, welcome to the Sunday message, I have some exciting news to share with you. The annual meeting for the Wyoming Interfaith Network has been scheduled for Thursday, September 5th, 8:30AM to 4:00PM, then 6:00PM to 8:00PM, and Friday, September 6th, 8:30AM to noon. It was decided by a poll of the Board of Directors to have the meeting on Thursday and Friday, rather than the usual Friday and Saturday. We all hope that this does not create a problem for you so far as attendance goes. So, we’ll see how this works. I do invite you to visit the website, (just google Wyoming Interfaith Network) There is lots of good information to be found there. It may take a little searching around, as the site is still a work in progress. Nevertheless, please feel free to check it out. We have a great slate of speakers lined up, and the focus will be, as directed by the Board, on mental health, both for children and adults, and some specific work aimed at just childhood issues. For the Thursday afternoon session, 2:30PM to 4:30PM, we have lined up Lillian Zuniga, from the Wyoming Office of Health Equity, (who happens to also be a past Peace and Justice team member), along with Rosa Salamanca, U.S. Dept. of Justice, Senior Conciliation Specialist for the Community Relations Service. The two of them will present together on the subject of inequities in Wyoming. They will highlight the work of the Office of Health Equity (Lillian) and of the Community Relations Service (Rosa). They will re-visit programs completed with partners in the community to assist in moving health equity forward and addressing the social determinants of health on the Wind River Reservation. The partnership collaborated on issues around poverty, discrimination, mental health, housing, food deserts and access to care. For Thursday evening, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Sharon Weber from Magellan Health will speak about a method of supporting and empowering families. High Fidelity Wraparound is a process that brings together a family’s support to empower and promote self-efficacy, creating a family and community system for healing and supporting youth who have mental health challenges. This presentation will look at how High Fidelity Wraparound works, how a community fits into the process and possible next steps for your respective communities. Then, we have Rob Johnston, Executive Director of the Wyoming Health Council, and who also is a representative to the LGBTQ Governor’s Behavioral Health Advisory Commission. Rob is scheduled for Friday morning, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and will speak on “Mental health Issues in Wyoming: An Air View of the Under or Marginally Served and the Critical Parachute that can be provided by the Faith Community The meeting will be at First United Methodist Church in Casper, 302 East 2nd St, 82601. Phone 307.262.7872, the church office in case you get lost. Lunch on Thursday will be an “on your own” at a local restaurant of your choice, and dinner is still in the planning stage. So come one, come all, and take advantage of this unique opportunity for listening and learning, and absorb some interesting and useful information and understanding of how many people are confused and lost when it comes to mental health and children, as well as pertinent information as regards how Faith Communities and local communities can work together for a common solution to common problems. Please pass the word around, share with friends, neighbors and your particular faith community members, inviting them to come and be a part of this great opportunity to share information about your own interactions with any or all of these issues in your own community, or even in your own life. There will be time for questions after each presentation. Attached is the agenda, and if you want to experience the Board meeting goings ons, or if you wish to have your voice heard at the Annual Meeting, please be sure to attend the Thursday morning sessions. If you are a member in good standing, you have a voice and vote at the Annual Meeting. I so look forward to seeing you all there (some of that is wishful thinking, but the more, the merrier!) I do ask one thing, if you can, please RSVP to me so I can get a head count for seating and meals. Peace and blessings to all, Carl R. Carmichael, member Wyoming Interfaith Network Board of Directors, United Methodist faith community representative WIN Peace and Justice team leader. 307.421.7575 cell (call anytime, I am generally available or will get back to you shortly if you leave a message.) carmichael.carl@gmail.com (again, email anytime, I check it regularly)