Breaking the Silence:
A Certified Recovery Congregation’s Mission in Motion
EBPC’s Breaking the Silence Ministry is excited to launch its newest initiative…
The GRACE Table is a
A Place where Faith Communities and the Recovery Community will
Gather…as a supportive community. (on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month)
Rejoice…through fellowship, faith and individual expression to lift spirits and provide hope.
Accept…addiction as a treatable disease and not a moral failure and erase stigma by providing a welcoming environment.
Connect…people together in a supportive community of individuals challenged by addiction alongside their loved ones.
Empower…the community through education and awareness opportunities to better understand the disease of addiction and support it with empathy and compassion.
The GRACE Table Mission Statement:
Establish a welcoming community for individuals impacted by addiction (active recovery and their support community) that generates spiritual nourishment, healing, enlightenment, and mutual support.
The GRACE Table’s Vision Statement:
That a community emerges where individuals impacted by addiction (active recovery and their support community) experience transformation, healing, grace, and hope and are freed from stigma.
The GRACE Table’s Core Values:
The Grace Table believes…
That addiction is a treatable disease, not a moral failing.
That connection within a community promotes healing and recovery from the impacts of addiction.
In providing a safe environment that is free of stigma and moral judgment.
That grace is a gift we extend to all in our community, just as God has extended the gift of grace to all of us.
Scriptural Basis:
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2)
How to support the GRACE Table Ministry:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4EA8A92BAAF94-55435034-thegrace#/
Highlights in EBPC’s Recovery Ministry History
EBPC also joined the Williamson Prevention Coalition in 2023 to support the collaborative efforts of organizations across the county to reduce substance misuse and address mental health challenges by providing resources and education. One of the resources created by the WPC is the “You Are Not Alone” series of videos featuring professionals, public figures and recovery advocates sharing stories and tips while sharing messages of hope.
2017: EBPC began its “Breaking the Silence” (“BTS”) ministry with community forums and an interdenominational collaboration with other area churches, including Holy Family Catholic, Our Savior Lutheran and Brentwood United Methodist. It brought together hundreds of parents, youth, mental health and addiction professionals, teachers, preachers and other members of the community to become educated, empowered, and engaged in honest conversations around addiction and mental health challenges. The success of these events mirrored research findings by SAMHSA proving local, grass-roots partnerships between faith-based and community organizations to support resilience and recovery in substance use prevention and treatment and mental health services are extremely effective.
2018: EBPC formally became a Certified Recovery Congregation through the
Tennessee Department. of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services’
Faith-Based Initiatives program.
Certified Recovery Congregations meet six criteria:
Provide Spiritual/Pastoral Support
View addiction as a treatable disease, not a moral issue
Embrace and support people in recovery and walk with them on their journey
Provide a visible outreach in the community
Share recovery information
Host recovery support groups
“Thank you to East Brentwood Presbyterian Church for hosting a wonderful International Overdose Awareness event last evening and being such a dedicated partner in recovery. Healing Housing’s Cash Lambert had the honor of being a featured speaker to share her incredible story and be a resource to many. The beautiful evening offered many different community resources, support and remembrance of those lost to an overdose.”
“We are honored to have been a small part of such a special night! Brooke Stephens and Jessie Louverture attended the Reflections of Hope and Healing event in honor of International Overdose Awareness day. It was such a special night getting to hear everyone’s stories. We especially loved getting to hear the wonderful Jaime Gibbons from Integrative Life Center share”
2023: International Overdose Awareness Day EBPC’s “Reflections of Hope and Healing” program drew 32 community organizations, speakers, musicians and 150-200 participants from across Middle Tennessee. We supported individuals and families by connecting them to resources, educated the community, honored loved ones lost to one of the most baffling diseases of our time with powerful testimonials and stirring music, offered education on the reversal medication “Narcan,” and most importantly inspired hope.
2024: EBPC hosted a viewing of the Oscar-nominated documentary, “HEROIN(E),” with an expert panel-led community discussion around the topics of addiction and the impact on communities and first responders. This event continued EBPC’s mission to engage the community in respectful discussions around challenging issues.
“Very grateful for your willingness to talk about these “uncomfortable” topics and for helping others remove the stigma and to start understanding we can all play a role in supporting others in need.”
Community Resources
All photos by John Philbrick
Reflections of Hope and Healing, Part 1
East Brentwood Presbyterian Church's Pastor John Hilley invites two incredible people who have helped hundreds of individuals and families navigate addiction and recovery. Join us as Tracey Levine of Healing Housing ( www.healinghousing.org) and Jaime Gibbons of Integrative Life Center (www.integrativelifecenter.com) share a wealth of wisdom around addressing misconceptions, barriers, and resources in this time when we are losing a generation of people due to mental health disorders and substance misuse. If you are a leader in a church community or if you are an individual who struggles with addiction and has faced religious trauma, Jaime and Tracey provide wise and accepting words of advice. Their organizations are just two of the 30 community organizations that will be available at the IOAD Middle TN 2023 overdose awareness event, hosted by EBPC, on August 31st with representatives and info on available mental health and substance misuse-related services.
Reflections of Hope and Healing, Part 2
Rev. John Hilley is joined by two special guests, Dr. Stephen Loyd and Dr. Monty Burks. In addition to briefly sharing their personal stories, they discuss the science of addiction and the barriers to gaining and maintaining long-term recovery including stigma and shame, deep-seated trauma and how communities of faith can play a significant role in opening the doors to those who are struggling and the ones impacted by that struggle. Dr. Lloyd and Dr. Burks will also be available at the IOAD Middle TN 2023 overdose awareness event, hosted by EBPC, on August 31st with representatives and info on available mental health and substance misuse-related services.
Parents Navigating Their Youth’s Addiction: One Father’s Story
Are you a parent struggling with a youth or young adult who is suffering from substance addiction? This episode features Yarnell Beatty, a Tennessee parent who lost his oldest son, 24-year old Alex, to a drug overdose in 2016.
Yarnell discusses the dos and don’ts for parents wishing to pierce the anger that substance use disorder and mental health challenges can impose on families and how to preserve a loving relationship with a child who is struggling. Parallelling the parable of the Prodigal Son, hear how this father found self-forgiveness and a way to honor the life of his son by helping other parents avoid his tragic mistakes.
If you are a parent with a youth or young adult struggling through addiction, Yarnell knows what you are going through, but more importantly, what you will go through. If you are an addiction treatment facility with programs for parents of addicted children, Yarnell is willing to tell his story and help parents navigate through inevitable anger. He is not a licensed counselor or mental health provider, just a parent who knows the effect of the disease on families and grief for the loss of a beloved son. You may contact him through East Brentwood Presbyterian Church, jhilley@ebpctn.org or directly at yarnellbeatty2021@gmail.com.
In today’s podcast, Pastor John brings in Becky and Noah Walton as conversation partners, who, when asked what people who are struggling need to hear, responded with, “I SEE YOU.”
Here’s what else Becky shared:
“My son is an addict—the hardest words I’ve ever spoken. I want to take this opportunity to speak to caregivers and anyone who feels lost and invisible, to say ‘I see you.’ I feel your pain. I know what it’s like to walk the halls at night doing overdose and suicide checks, praying with every step that tonight is not the night, and praying for peace. I understand the isolation of shrinking myself smaller and smaller, trying to preserve every ounce of strength just to keep my child alive, while watching other families go on vacations, watch their kids graduate, and tour colleges. There are no GoFundMe campaigns, 5Ks, or community events rallying behind the addict and caregiver who are just trying to survive. You feel alone. I know what it’s like to stand in the dark, but I also know what it’s like to see God’s love, the only pinpoint of light, saying, ‘I’m still here, and so are you."
After the interview, you'll hear Nate Strasser's upbeat arrangement of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” sung by Briana Tyson.