Resources

TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP.

In our fast paced and increasingly chaotic world, the wellbeing of our souls are often neglected. But Bremerton UMC believes that our souls deserve to be cared for—we believe that our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being is an essential part of God’s plan for humanity. God’s desire for human flourishing is found in every part of the Bible, and so we look to these ancient stories, poems, and letters to guide our unique journeys towards greater self understanding and personal transformation.

In “Soulcare: Help for Heavy Times,” our worship services and engaging messages are designed to bring healing and support to your weekly rhythm. Each Sunday gathering is built around finding community, raising awareness about mental health conditions and needs, and growing in faith together–no matter your life experience or current situation. Every week, we’ll discover how to navigate the challenges of our culture with compassion, and how God is with us every step of the way.

For more information about the topics that we will cover and for additional support options in our local community, use the resources and links below. To connect with a member of our pastoral team for emergency or ongoing care, click here.

Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It - Jennie Allen

  • Summary: Feelings aren’t something to fix; they are something to feel. As we discover how to name and navigate our emotions, we’ll learn how they can draw us closer to the God who built us—soul, mind, and heart.

The Cry of the Soul: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God - Dr. Dan B. Allender & Dr. Tremper Longman III

  • Summary: All emotion―whether positive or negative―can give us a glimpse of the true nature of God. We want to control our negative emotions and dark desires. God wants us to recognize them as the cry of our soul to be made right with Him. Beginning with the Psalms, Cry of the Soul explores what Scripture says about our darker emotions and points us to ways of honoring God as we faithfully embrace the full range of our emotional life.

The Road to Self Awareness: A Therapy Book for Christians - Ian Murphy

  • Summary: Ian's story is both authentic and amusing, a journey into total and lasting healing that can be replicated by anyone who feels trapped in self-doubt or anxiety, toxic messages or addictions, lethargy or misspent energy. It's for all who seek a way out of the rut of simply existing or who are sick of merely reducing suffering and long to attain abundant life.

The Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of Jesus - Rich Villodas

  • Summary: New York pastor Rich Villodas says we must restore balance, focus, and meaning for our souls. The Deeply Formed Life lays out a fresh vision for spiritual breakthrough following five key values: Contemplative Rhythms Value, Racial Justice Value, Interior Examination Value, Sexual Wholeness Value, & Missional Presence Value. The Deeply Formed Life is a roadmap to live in the richly rooted place we all yearn for: a place of communion with God, a place where we find our purpose.

Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body - Dr. Hillary L. McBride

  • Summary: Practices for Embodied Living offers an experiential guide--centered on prompts, activities, and opportunities for reflection--to support readers who want to practice embodiment. This approachable, visually stimulating book helps individuals and groups resist cultural myths about ideal bodies, get in touch with the goodness of their bodies, and more fully inhabit themselves.

Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves - Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes

  • Summary: As a clinical psychologist, pastor, and activist, Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes has studied and worked with clients, clergy, seminary faculty, faith-based activists, and others to encourage them to think of self-care as both a divine right and a sacred obligation. She has developed a seven-week guide gathering activities, habits, disciplines, and practices that promote spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, and relational wholeness. Each day includes a story alongside short and simple prompts and scripture passages that help us shift behaviors in the short term and create lifelong habits.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to be Spiritually Mature While Remaining Emotionally Immature - Peter Scazzero

  • Summary: Peter Scazzero learned the hard way: you can't be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. Even though he was the pastor of a growing church, he did what most people do--avoid conflict in the name of Christianity; ignore his anger, sadness, and fear; use God to run from God; and live without boundaries. In this updated edition, Scazzero shares new stories and principles as he outlines his journey and the signs of emotionally unhealthy spirituality.

Big, Big Feelings - Perry Emerson

  • Summary: A sweet story about BIG feelings that encourages children to use their words to name their emotions when feelings become overwhelming.

My Body Sends a Signal: Helping Kids Recognize Emotions & Express Feelings - Natalia Maguire

  • Summary: This book is an excellent educational source that has is all. The book includes a cute story that kids can relate to, beautiful illustrations that capture children's attention, calming-down activities for kids, instructions to adults on the follow-up activities, emotions cards, feelings cards, coloring pages and related short stories to teach kids empathy.

The Friend I Need: Being Kind & Caring to Myself - Gabi Garcia

  • Summary: The Friend I Need helps children understand that the same qualities they look for in a friend— kindness, support, understanding, they can offer to themselves, especially when they’re having a hard time. Learning to be a friend to themselves helps children build emotional resilience, growth mindset, and well-being.

My First Book of Emotions for Toddlers - Orlena Kerek MD

  • Summary: Toddlers may be small in size, but they have enough emotions to fill an entire playground! This fun picture book introduces little ones to common emotions by explaining what they are, how they might feel in the body, and how to express them in positive ways.

I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids - Gabi Garcia

  • Summary: What kids tell themselves matters! It becomes their inner voice. It helps them connect with their power within. Help your child learn to tap into their inner strength and resilience when challenges arise. I Can Do Hard Things introduces children to the practice of using mindful affirmations for support and encouragement when they need it.

Sometimes we need assistance beyond what we are able to read or listen to, so we have listed a few local organizations below who specialize in mental health and wellness. Learn more by clicking a selected organization below!

 

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital immediately. To reach mental health professionals at any hour of the day or night, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: simply dial 988 to access free, confidential care.