September is National Suicide Awareness Month. This year, World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10. Scroll down to access articles and resources about suicide prevention, and how to spread awareness about suicide prevention in your congregation and community.  

If you or someone you know is in crisis or at risk for suicide, call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.

Gather magazine

"Deaths of despair occur with every age, gender and ethnicity," writes Elise Seyfried in "Who dies by suicide?" an article in the May/June 2024 issue of Gather magazine.

Boldcafe.org In the latest issue, the Rev. Minna Bothwell shares her story of the grief and trauma she continues to experience two years after the death of her brother to suicide. Read "Post-traumatic living after suicide" in the August issue.

National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) Digital Toolkit

Recognize the warning signs of suicide and learn how to get help. Share digital resources about suicide prevention posted in the Digital Toolkit.

"We are called to be stewards of God’s creation, which means giving of our time, talent and treasure to support and uplift the communities we call home." Read this month's stewardship devotion written by the Rev. Ralen M. Robinson.

Read the September stewardship devotion.

Have you ever had to start over? What does it mean to start over? Join us to talk about this topic during our next Boldcafe Monthly Dinner (B. Y. O. D.) via Zoom, Thursday, September 5, at 7 p.m. CDT. The Rev. Meredith Harber will lead our conversation. You are encouraged to bring a friend!

Please use the link below to register, and be sure to pass this invitation along!

https://boldcafe.org/dinner

Do you know about WELCA events? Check out our calendar and see how you can get involved!

WELCA interim executive director Jennifer Hockenbery asks that question every Thursday on the WELCA Facebook page. So far, two Churchwide executive board members, Maria Lokensgard, Southwestern Minnesota SWO (3F), and Merrily Burmeister, Northwestern Minnesota SWO (3D), have answered. It has been a joy to learn more about their interests and ways they engage in WELCA. If you would like to tell us what kind of WELCA woman you are, please follow our Facebook page and leave a comment! Read Jennifer's post about it in our blog.

Did you read last month's issue? You can find recent issues of Bold Connections on our publications page on our website.

Christian discipleship is a lifelong journey of living out and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ so that others may believe. Download this resource to discover your spiritual gifts.

Download "Gifts for you"