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.
Liturgies for Hope: Sixty Prayers for the Highs, Lows, and Everything In Between by Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore
- When writers Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore were inspired to create an anchor of hope for their own local community, they moved forward by turning to the past, to a time when Christians looked at the collapsing world around them and resolved to offer something beautiful—something true—through poetic prayers.
On Hope by Pope Francis
- Pope Francis has a simple, life-changing message for you: God’s love can grace each of us with a lasting and sustaining hope, no matter how dark or confusing our situation. On Hope is Pope Francis at his most intimate and most inspiring.
Feel: A Collection of Liturgies Offering Hope for Every Complicated Emotion - by Anjuli Paschall
- In this beautifully illustrated collection of prayers and liturgies, spiritual director Anjuli Paschall helps you move from being stuck in your feelings to a place of peace by identifying and giving you words for every emotion--the good, the confusing, and the complicated--helping you name exactly what you feel,offering you 75 prayers to pray--one for every feeling and providing Scripture for every emotion.
You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Turbulent Times by Max Lucado
- We all fear that the depression will never lift, the disappointment will never stop, the pain will never leave. Here in the pits, surrounded by steep walls, we wonder if our gray skies will ever brighten. Though these unprecedented and challenging times may bring a load of uncertainty and fear that feels too heavy to bear, God gives us this promise: You'll Get Through This.
Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times by Elizabeth Oldfield
- In a world experiencing turbulent change, we need people who are resilient, kind, open, generous, and brave. How do we become those people? In Fully Alive, popular podcaster Elizabeth Oldfield uses the seven deadly sins as a framework.
Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep by Tish Harrison Warren
- Tish Harrison Warren, author of Liturgy of the Ordinary, explores themes of human vulnerability, suffering, and God's seeming absence. When she navigated a time of doubt and loss, the prayer was grounding for her. She writes that practices of prayer "gave words to my anxiety and grief and allowed me to reencounter the doctrines of the church not as tidy little antidotes for pain, but as a light in darkness, as good news."
Wish I Knew: Comforting Words to Strengthen Your Soul by Donna Ashworth
- Feeling lost in life can be so easy to fall into, yet harder to escape. Instead of listening to self-doubt, discover how one-of-a-kind you are through Donna Ashworth’s life-changing book. I Wish I Knew is a poetry book full of mantras, reflections, and affirmations for women that will redefine the chaos in your life into life-changing revelations. With this poetry book, featuring hopeful truths that will strengthen your heart, mind, and soul, you’ll be able to experience your journey with meaning and gratitude.
Show Me The Way: Daily Lenten Readings by Henri J.M. Nouwen
- Nouwen invites readers to join him on a 40-day Lenten path as fellow pilgrims, from the solemn beginning of Ash Wednesday to the joyous climax of Easter. This inspirational "search for the way" speaks directly to the heart during this time of reflection and prayer.
Feel: A Collection of Liturgies Offering Hope for Every Complicated Emotion by Anjuli Paschall
- But what if you allowed yourself to follow your feelings in prayer instead of trying to run from them? In this beautifully illustrated collection of prayers and liturgies, spiritual director Anjuli Paschall helps you move from being stuck in your feelings to a place of peace.
You'll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Turbulent Times by Max Lucado
- In You'll Get Through This, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado traces the story of Joseph as told in the book of Genesis. The Bible tells us that Joseph was tossed into a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten and dismissed. Yet Joseph's story is proof that we can flourish even in this broken world. On his darkest days, Joseph may have thought that the sun would never shine again, but God ultimately used these hardships for a greater purpose. Whether you find yourself in the pit of financial downturn, job loss, health crisis, or relationship stresses, God has a plan and a path forward designed just for you. Max reminds readers God doesn't promise that getting through trials will be quick or painless, but he does use our mess for good.
On Hope by Pope Francis
- Pope Francis has a simple, life-changing message for you: God’s love can grace each of us with a lasting and sustaining hope, no matter how dark or confusing our situation. On Hope is Pope Francis at his most intimate and most inspiring.
Liturgies for Hope: Sixty Prayers for the Highs, Lows, and Everything In Between by Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore
- When writers Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore were inspired to create an anchor of hope for their own local community, they moved forward by turning to the past, to a time when Christians looked at the collapsing world around them and resolved to offer something beautiful—something true—through poetic prayers.
Hope is a Rainbow - Hoda Kotb
- Hoda Kotb's new book is a lyrical celebration of hope in children and teaching the youngest readers how to reach for their dreams--whether they are as big as the night sky or as small as a bowl of purple ice cream. It's a lesson in optimism and what a positive outlook can bring.
An Easter Egg Hunt for Jesus by Susan Jones
- Beautifully illustrated by Lee Holland, this picture book will offer young children a fun, relatable story of a little rabbit who makes a mistake and learns how disappointment can transform into hope.
Jesus Listens: Prayers for the Season of Lent and Easter
- Walk closely with the Lord as you read through Jesus Listens—for Lent and Easter. This inspirational devotional prayer book also includes Bible verses and words of hope from God's heart to yours.
The Tomb is Empty by Chloe Gore
- Join Mary as she witnesses the greatest story ever told – from the sorrow of the cross to the joy of discovering the empty tomb. With beautiful storytelling and captivating illustrations, this book will inspire young hearts and help them understand the true meaning of Easter.
A Hope More Powerful Than The Sea: The Journey of Doaa Al Zamel, One Teen Refugee’s Incredible Story of Loss, Love, and Survival (Young Reader’s Edition) by Melissa Fleming
- Doaa’s eye-opening story, as told by Melissa Fleming, represents the millions of unheard voices of refugees who risk everything in a desperate search for a safe future.
- Unlocking Your Inner Peace: Embracing Spirituality and Finding Your Joy with Lisa McCourt, 52 Weeks of Hope Podcast
- Five Ways I’m Finding Hope and Strength Right Now, The Mel Robbins Podcast
- The Science of Hope with Dr. Jacqueline Mattis, 10% Happier Podcast, Episode 340
- Power in Perseverance with Lina AbuJamra, Living With Power Podcast
- Holy Week and Easter, The Liturgists Podcast
Book Resources - Adults:
- Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It - Jennie Allen
- The Cry of the Soul: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God - Dr. Dan B. Allender & Dr. Tremper Longman III
- The Road to Self Awareness: A Therapy Book for Christians - Ian Murphy
- The Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of Jesus - Rich Villodas
- Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body - Dr. Hillary L. McBride
- Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves - Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes
- Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to be Spiritually Mature While Remaining Emotionally Immature - Peter Scazzero
Book Resources - Kids:
- Big, Big Feelings - Perry Emerson
- My Body Sends a Signal: Helping Kids Recognize Emotions & Express Feelings - Natalia Maguire
- The Friend I Need: Being Kind & Caring to Myself - Gabi Garcia
- My First Book of Emotions for Toddlers - Orlena Kerek MD
- I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids - Gabi Garcia
Podcast Episodes:
- Learning Self Compassion and its Benefits - Inside Mental Health
- Mental Health 101: Terms to Know - Roadmap to Joy
- How to Be an Emotionally Present Parent - Roadmap to Joy
- Our God-Shaped Brains - Hidden Brain
- Where Do Feelings Come From? - Hidden Brain
Book Resources - Adults:
- In Search of You: How to Find Joy When Doing More Isn't Doing It Anymore - Kasey Compton
- Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself - Nedra Glover Tawwab
- Burnout Immunity: How Emotional Intelligence Can Help You Build Resilience and Heal Your Relationship with Work - Kandi Wiens
- Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence - Ruth Haley Barton
- Strong Like Water: Finding the Freedom, Safety, and Compassion to Move Through Hard Things and Experience True Flourishing - Aundi Kolber
- Made for People: Why We Drift into Loneliness and How to Fight for a Life of Friendship - Justin Whitmel Earley
- The Heart of Anger: How the Bible Transforms Anger in our Understanding and Experience - Christopher Ash & Steve Midgley
Book Resources - Kids:
- I am Enough - Grace Byers
- Breathing is My Superpower: Mindfulness Book for Kids to Feel Calm and Peaceful - Alicia Ortega
- Roaring Mad Riley: An Anger Management Story for Kids - Allison Szczecinksi
- It's Okay to Not Be Okay: A Rhyming Read Aloud Story for Children About Feelings of Sadness and Loneliness - Emily Hayes
- The Essential Stress Management Handbook for Teens: A Teen's Guide to Mastering Natural Techniques to Stress Less, Accomplish More, and Live a Meaningful Life - Richard Meadows
Podcast Episodes:
- How to Tame Stress - The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
- Maintaining Lasting Friendships, Episode 322 - Therapy for Black Girls Podcast
- Real Self Care with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, Episode 173 - The Psychiatry Podcast with Dr. David Puder
- Anger: Getting Comfortable with Uncomfortable Emotions - The Man Enough Podcast with Liz Plank and Jamey Heath
- Let's Talk About...Loneliness, Episode 15 - The Let's Talk About Mental Health Podcast
Book Resources - Adults:
- The Origins of You: How Breaking Family Patterns Can Liberate the Way We Live and Love - Vienna Pharaon
- But What Will People Say: Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures - Sahaj Kaur Kohli
- It Didn't Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who You Are and How to End the Cycle - Mark Wolynn
- Aging Faithfully: The Holy Invitation of Growing Older - Alice Fryling and Leighton Ford
- Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life - Fr. Richard Rohr
- Mothers in Waiting: Healing and Hope for Those With Empty Arms - Crystal Bowman and Meghann Bowman
- Miscarried Hope: Journeying With Jesus through Pregnancy and Infant Loss - Rachel Lohman
Book Resources - Kids:
- Somebody Cares: A Guide for Kids Who Have Experienced Neglect - Susan Farber Straus and Claire Keay
- When Sad Scary Things Happen: Coping with Childhood Trauma - Erika Arnold-McEwan
- Trauma Recovery Workbook for Teens: Exercise to Process Emotions, Manage Symptoms and Promote Healing - Deborah Vinali
- Grandma, It's Me: A Children's Book about Dementia - YY Chan
- What's Inside Your Backpack? Coping Skills for Kids Who Have Experienced Trauma - Jessica Sinarski
Podcast Episodes:
- Ten Tips to Navigating Family Relationship: Therapy Talks, Episode 42 - Tiffany Roe
- Difficult Parents: Let's Talk About Mental Health, Episode 221
- Families: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Theology and Therapy, Season 6 Episode 3
- The Best Years of Your Life: The Hidden Brain Podcast
- Infertility and Mental: Coping with the Mental and Emotional Side Effects: This is Infertility Podcast, Episode 2
Book Resources - Adults:
- Anxious For Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World - Max Lucado
- The Answer to Anxiety: How to Break Free from the Tyranny of Anxious Thoughts and Worry - Joyce Meyer
- Grieve, Breathe, Receive: Finding a Faith Strong Enough to Hold Us - Steve Carter
- Soulbroken: A Guidebook for Your Journey Through Ambiguous Grief - Stephanie Sarazin
- Out of the Cave: Stepping into the Light When Depression Darkens What You See - Chris Hodges
- Hurting Yet Whole: Reconciling Body and Spirit in Chronic Pain and Illness - Liuan Huska
- Healing What's Within: Coming Home to Yourself and to God When You're Wounded, Weary, and Wandering - Chuck DeGroat
- The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms - Dr. Michelle Bengston
Book Resources - Kids:
- Why Am I Feeling This?: A Teen's Guide to Freedom from Anxiety and Depression - David Murray
- The Kids Book of Worries: Understanding Anxiety and Managing Feelings - Catherine Stephenson & Jenny Stephenson
- Everywhere, Still: A Book about Loss, Grief, and the Way Love Continues - M.H. Clark
- When Someone You Love Has Dies: Talking to Young Children About Death - Stephanie Seidler & Robin Katz
- Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness - Julie Stamm
Podcast Episodes:
- Spirituality and Chronic Illness: A Grounded Conversation with Matthew Morse, LMHC: The Chronic Illness Therapist Podcast (Episode 28)
- Dealing with Anxiety: Theology and Therapy Podcast (Season 1, Episode 10)
- The Soul in Depression: The On Being Podcast with Krista Tippett, special guests Parker Palmer, Andrew Solomon, and Anita Barrows
- Breaking Free from Caregiver Overwhelm: Mindfulness and Self Care Tips: The Caregiver Podcast (Episode 228)
- Embodied Practices for Tending Grief with Camille Sapara Barton: The Grief Out Loud Podcast (Episode 293)
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.