LIVING ROOM MEMORIES  111 

(November 10, 2007)

Yesterday was another Living Room meeting. And it is truly amazing how I come away from those meetings feeling a wonderful, quiet joy – a rejuvenation. When I started facilitating Living Room I had never expected these deep feelings of peace – this holy joy – would be my reward. Something magical happens. And I have never been more stable or felt as complete as I do today. I know it’s because God is truly present at Living Room. He is in this work. I’m not doing it alone.

Other members of the group have similar reports. Those two session of Living Room each month help them stay well. They learn to cope. They learn to trust God. They learn not to be ashamed of their disorder. And we have a great time together, having lunch, studying scripture, and sharing from our hearts.

If you’re new to this blog you may be wondering what on earth I’m talking about. Living Room is a faith-based support group for people with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders. It’s a church ministry that’s in partnership with the Mood Disorders Association here in BC. There are now three groups and a fourth and fifth are in the planning stages.

If this sounds like an interesting concept to you, please check it out at the Living Room website. You will find the what, how, and why of it all. The manuals went online today in pdf format, ready for you to download. These will explain how to set up a group of your own and how to facilitate a group.

UPDATE FOR 2009 – Living Room is now with Sanctuary Mental Health Ministry. To learn more, go to https://www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org/peer-support/