Descriptions of Available Workshops, Seminars and Sermons

If you would like Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder to speak at an event, please contact her by going to our Contact Page, or email her at sgschroed@cox.net. To view pictures from Past Events, click here.

NOTE:  Workshops, seminars and sermons are designed in consultation with those organizing the event.   The options below are FLEXIBLE and can be put together in a variety of ways to meet the unique needs of each group.

Mental Illness as a Spiritual Journey

As a consumer and a member of the clergy, Rev. Gregg-Schroeder brings the wisdom of her ongoing journey and struggles with depression to offer universal truths about spirituality during difficult times.  In sharing the gifts of the shadow, she encourages others to discover opportunities for growth, change and transformation.  Using the concept of the "dark night of the soul," as described by St. John of the Cross, Gregg-Schroeder shares how opening up to the "fertile darkness" can bring transformation and a deepened sense of the Divine.

Gifts of the Shadow

Rev. Gregg-Schroeder discovered six "gifts of the shadow" that she discusses in her book, In the Shadow of God's Wings: Grace in the Midst of Depression.   In sharing the gifts of vulnerability, discovering one's authentic self, patience with the process, paradox and mystery, creativity and hope, she encourages others to discover how the dark times in their lives can be opportunities for growth, change and transformation.

Creating Caring Congregations and/or Models of Ministry

Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder will offers concrete ways clergy and other faith community leaders can minister to and with persons and families coping with mental illness.   Using the video, "Creating Caring Congregations," she will present a five-step program of education, covenant, welcome, support and advocacy.   The Models of Ministry workshop builds on the five step program to give concrete examples of what faith communities are doing across the nation to educate and create programs to erase the stigma of mental illness.   Models of partnering with other community based groups are also explored.  

Mental Illness and Families of Faith  

Mental illness causes great suffering for individuals and families, striking one in four families in our country.   Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder will use the video, "Mental Illness and Families of Faith," to share how faith communities can support family members.   Families do not cause mental illness, yet they are burdened by the great social stigma that surrounds mental illness.   This workshop gives guidance and encouragement to families and shows how families can contribute to their loved one's recovery.  

Worship and Preaching

This workshop demonstrates how mental illness can be addressed in worship.   Utilizing the Mental Health Mission Moments resource, Rev. Gregg-Schroeder presents sermon starters, liturgical material additional scriptural resources and other resources to help educate congregations about mental illness.   The model is to present an issue related to the experience of mental illness, put a face to the issue and offer a message of hope.

Mental Illness in Different Age Groups

Workshops can be designed to focus on mental illness in children and adolescents, adults or older adults.   Depression in women, especially postpartum depression, can also be addressed.

Sermon Titles

Who Cares? 

Based on Elijah's story form 1 Kings 19:1-16a, Rev. Gregg-Schroeder offers insights on how we can be a caring presence to those suffering with depression and other mental illnesses.   This topic can be used as a sermon or as an education opportunity for Stephen Ministers, Parish Nurses and other lay caregivers.

My Son Jethro

Susan uses a first person narrative to tell the story of a boy supposedly possessed by a evil spirit being healed by Jesus as told in the Gospels of Mark (9:13-29), Luke (9:37-45) and Matthew (17:14-21). Jethro's mother tells the story of how her hopes and dreams for her newborn son are dashed as his behavior becomes more bizarre.   It dramatically portrays the Biblical understand that mental illness was the result of sin or some other offense to a wrathful God.   This sermon lifts of the shame and stigma that families deal with when a family member has a mental illness.