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    • Christ is Our Peace - Emotional Wellness

    As we continue our Wellness Series, it is good to remember that “Christ is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14), which anchors emotional well-being for those who serve in the Church, especially those in the midst of burdens of stress and trauma that often accompany ministry. As a Deaconess and Parish Nurse, I understand emotional wellness not as the absence of struggles, but as a life rooted in Christ our Lord, who meets you and me in our struggles and weariness, restores our souls, and reorients our hearts. Our Lord meets us in every burden and lifts us with His Word: “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Emotional well-being, then, is nurtured as we receive His care, remain in His Word, and are supported within the Body of Christ, where He strengthens and sustains His church workers in every season. We also understand that this is not self-focused, self-centered emotional management, but a life shaped by repentance, faith, and the steady promises of God in the midst of the realities of joy, stress, grief, and vocation.

    The Lord does not dismiss our distress but speaks into it: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you… Let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:27). From this peace flows true joy and a Christ-centered resilience that endures through suffering. For church workers, emotional well-being is sustained as we receive His gifts, live in His forgiveness, and are strengthened to care for others.

    Vitality Challenge

    Biometric screening (4,025 points). Our physical health can and does affect our emotional health. Getting your biometric screening is a good place to start. Earn points for every screening you complete, plus additional points if the results you submit are in the healthy range.

    Concordia Plan Services Resources

    Evernorth Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides dedicated manager support to equip you with resources to help support your teams, including:

    • HR and manager referral information forms and resources for workplace concerns
    • Critical incident and disaster support tools
    • Wellness seminars and training to improve your workers' resilience and well-being
    • Resources to help promote the EAP to your workers

    Evernorth EAP also provides personal help, including:

    • Access to six free sessions per topic per year (e.g., stress, depression) through virtual, over the phone, or in person counseling.
    • You’ll get real solutions for a range of different topics, including emotional health and stress management, as well as grief and loss. Services for all these concerns and more are confidential and available to anyone in your household.
    • For more information, call 866.726.5267.

    Other Resources

    Devotion on Emotional Well-Being

    Key events

    Regional Pastors Conferences

    Mental Health and Well-Being Web Resources

    Mental Health and Wellness Book Resources

    Mental Health and Wellness Video Resources

    Rev. Dr. Richard W. Marrs - Broken Hearts and Broken Spirits – Honest to Neighbor - Session 1

    Rev. Dr. Richard W. Marrs - Broken Hearts and Broken Spirits – Honest to Neighbor - Session 2

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    Resource Info

    Deac. Christie Hansard

    Deac. Christie Hansard

    Deaconess Christie Hansard, RN, BSN serves as the Michigan District Parish Nurse Representative as well as the Case Manager for Mental Health resources for Commissioned and Ordained Church Workers.

    More by Deac. Christie Hansard
    Mental Health
    May 5, 2026

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