Breaking the Silence:
A Certified Recovery Congregation’s Mission in Motion
EBPC was one of the earliest faith communities in Williamson County to become a Certified Recovery Congregation through the TN Dept. of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services-Faith-Based Initiatives program. Since 2017 the church has been collaborating with this state agency to advance these shared goals through a series of information campaigns and community events entitled “Breaking the Silence,” (“BTS”):
View addiction as a treatable disease, not a moral failing
Embrace and support people in recovery and walk with them on their journey
Have a visible community outreach
Understand the continuum of care and collaborate with it
Provide spiritual/pastoral support
Promote a better understanding of substance use disorder treatment and recovery.
Host recovery support groups
Spread awareness about Certified Recovery Congregations.
The gatherings are designed to educate and empower individuals and families around the issues of substance use disorder and mental health challenges and destigmatize the topics through these public conversations. Through the BTS-sponsored events, community organizations are able to directly share information about their resources with those who are struggling and the families who are trying to support them through treatment and recovery. The success of these events mirrors 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. Following the most recent event in August 2023, BTS has engaged a wider network of community organizations including treatment centers, mental health support agencies, governmental entities, and local congregations.
On August 31st, an unseasonably comfortable late summer afternoon and evening in Brentwood, EBPC’s campus was blessed to witness the Prayers of the People being joined with intentional actions in real-time. During the four-hour IOAD Middle TN 2023: Reflections of Hope and Healing gathering…
…We celebrated the 30+ community organizations that gave of their time to share resources available to anyone struggling with substance use disorders or mental health challenges.
…We appreciated the organizations and individuals who made financial gifts or gifts-in-kind.
…We supported individuals and families who can feel so isolated when facing these issues and invited them to our safe harbor at the corner of Concord Road and Wilson Pike where they can feel welcomed and worthy.
…We honored those loved ones lost to one of the most baffling and misunderstood diseases and public health crises facing our communities with our candles and our commitment to being difference makers going forward.
…We volunteered our time to plan, organize, set up and take down the event; greet friends (old and new); direct parking; plant pinwheels and corner signage; bake desserts; play musical instruments, compose and sing songs of both lament and hope; take photos and videos; curate an interactive Reflections Gallery; create websites and printed materials; and extend an open invitation across our vast networks of family and friends.
…We took time to learn about how to save a life with the “Lazarus-like” miracle called Narcan.
“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 listened to the powerful stories of lives transformed on the many Damascus roads traveled by those who have found long-term recovery, and we are inspired to believe there might be a future where 3,814 Tennesseans lost annually is no longer the reality felt across the three Grand Divisions of our state.
…Most of all we chipped away at the stigma surrounding substance use disorders and mental health challenges, one interaction at a time.
Next Steps…
Please stay tuned for announcements about how EBPC hopes to expand “Breaking the Silence’s” presence throughout Middle Tennessee.
You can follow the "Breaking the Silence Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080769849709 for ongoing substance misuse disorders and mental health issues awareness-related information and event notifications.
Podcast: 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.
“Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital was proud to participate in the IOAD Middle TN 2023: Reflections of Hope and Healing in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day. We are honored to be a part of a strong community who honors those lost to overdoses, as well as provide education and uplift those impacted by the issues of substance misuse disorder and mental health challenges.”
“A pinwheel also needs wind. And with our actions, and our intentions, we can be that wind. We have to be those agents of change for the young people and their families in our communities.”
All photos by John Philbrick
“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”
