Since the COVID pandemic, clergy, lay leaders, and congregations are experiencing the challenges of ministering to the mental health needs of church members and others for whom congregants and leadership care about and love. Beginning with our scriptural direction to care for body, mind, and spirit, this workshop will discuss the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual health with psychological well-being, co-led by an experienced rector and educator (Todd FitzGerald) and a bivocational psychiatrist/Episcopal priest (Mary Lynn Dell). Suggestions for recognition of mood disorders, referrals for formal mental health care, and how the church ministers to and includes those with depression and other concerns will be discussed. Useful resources will be shared with attendees.
FACILITATORS: The Rev. Mary Lynn Dell, MD, MTS, ThM, DMin, MHA, is Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Living/Hartford Healthcare, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut, and Professor of Psychiatry at the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University. She graduated from Milligan University in Johnson City, Tennessee, and Indiana University School of Medicine, where she completed general psychiatry residency. She also completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Emory University, and has served on the faculties of several medical schools. She maintains board certifications in general, child and adolescent, consultation liaison, and forensic psychiatry. She obtained theological education at Emory’s Candler School of Theology, Virginia Theological Seminary, and Columbia Theological Seminary. An ordained Episcopal priest, she currently serves as non-stipendiary Priest Associate at St. John’s Episcopal Church in West Hartford, CT, focusing on adult faith formation.
For most of his 30 years in ordained ministry, the Rev. Todd FitzGerald has served as a chaplain in several Episcopal schools. While school chaplaincy is primarily focused on the spiritual lives of young people, its broader lens is educating the whole person to excellence. Thus, chaplains must collaborate across disciplines in pursuit of spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical flourishing for each child. Currently, Todd serves as rector of St. John’s, West Hartford, where he is attentive to opportunities to practice ministry in as many holistic ways as possible. At St. John’s, Todd is working with other leaders to explore possibilities for ministry that address the whole person thriving in mind, body, and spirit. To improve his skills and augment his knowledge for holistic ministry, Todd is currently pursuing a master’s degree in counseling for ministry at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago.
Event Timeslots (2)
April 30
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Session One (9:45–11:15 AM)
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