As a faith leader, you have heard the stories--a parent grieving the loss of a child, a woman desperate to kick an addiction to pain medications, a man has been stopped and questioned by the police for the third time in a year because he "looked like he didn't belong" in the neighborhood.

And you've also heard these stories--congregational cooks rally to provide meals and encouragement; a group of elders meet weekly to pray for those who are hurting and alone; congregation members join a protest for racial justice.

In every faith community, stories of hurt, hope, life, and love blend together. Everyone carries experiences of hurt. And everyone connects to the power of love, connection, blessing, and hope that is at the heart of our faith traditions.

Advocate Health has published "Healing Congregations," a resource for faith communities who want to be thoughtful about how they mobilize their strengths in support of love, life and hope. It is rooted in real stories of struggle and overcoming that don't sugar coat how complex the journey to wholeness is, especially in faith-based settings. And it claims the beautiful things that happen when we listen well to each other and wrestle deeply with God's word to us.

Download the book for free!

Download the Companion Study Guide

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I said WHAT?

Common communication is fraught with opportunities for misunderstanding. Add hurt, fear, expectations, conflict and high emotion to the mix and communication can become explosive and divisive.

This will be an interactive workshop.