FEELING DOWN OR BLUE?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Our congregation has been offering a unique program to help lift your mood.

We received a grant from Gundersen Health System of LaCrosse, Wisconsin to lead a class called Raising Our Spirits Together.

Raising Our Spirits Together is a technology-assisted, engaging, small group program that provides people who are feeling down with new tools and skills to feel better. The small groups meet in local churches and are led by pastors. Raising Our Spirits Together is based on cognitive behavioral therapy, an evidence-supported approach for treating depression. This program was developed by Dr. Addie Weaver, a faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, with support from the National Institute of Mental Health. Raising Our Spirits Together has been tested in rural Michigan, with results suggesting the program improves mood and anxiety.

Gundersen Health System awarded this grant to our conregation because offering Raising Our Spirits Together reflects their mission of excellence in patient care, education, research and improved health in the communities they serve. Gundersen Health system is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and to support those activities that enhance the quality of life for the services region.

Raising Our Spirits Together will be offered once more this summer. Each group will meet once a week for 4 weeks. It is free and open to the public. If you join the group, you’ll be given a workbook and we ask that you plan to attend all sessions.

Pastor Laura Gentry will facilitate the Raising Our Spirits Together meetings following the curriculum developed by Dr. Weaver. Lansing’s integrative psychiatrist, Dr. Erica Burger, will serve as a consultant should any of the participants need a greater level of support during the process.

Could you or someone you know use emotional support? Please fill out the form below to get our our waiting list for the final session.

LEARN MORE

Would you like to learn more about this exciting new program? Click the button to email us. We'll get in touch with you to discuss if Raising Our Spirits Together is right for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at lansinglutherans@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

IS IT REALLY FREE?

Because of grant support from Gundersen Health System, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is offering the entire 8-week program to the community at no cost. We don't think cost should be a barrier to getting the support you need. So yes, it is totally free!

DO I HAVE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF DEPRESSION TO PARTICIPATE?

No. Raising Our Spirits Together is for people who feel down and would like to feel better. It is that simple. It will be facilitated by a pastor, not a therapist. Together, we’ll explore various tools and strategies to lift your mood.

CAN I DROP IN ANY TIME?

This is an 8-week, small group program not meant for dropping in. If you decide to participate, we’ll ask you to make a commitment to attend all the sessions. This will help you and the other group members to get the most out of it.

WHAT TOOLS WILL I GAIN?

You will receive a workbook that we’ll explore in our sessions with the support of curriculum videos. They will introduce you to a scientifically proven method for feeling better called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Together we’ll practice these strategies and find out how they can help us.

IS IT JUST FOR CHRISTIANS?

No. The Raising Our Spirits Together program was designed for Christian churches to share emotional wellness tools in their communities. Each session has a scriptural component to help participants relate the learning to their existing faith. We respect your beliefs and we welcome you with open arms.

WHAT IF MY DEPRESSION OVERWHELMS ME?

We know that the conversations and exercises of Raising our Spirits Together can bring up difficult emotions. It takes courage to do this kind of work. That’s why we have Dr. Erica Burger, Lansing’s integrative psychiatrist on board. You’ll meet her at the start of the program and she’ll be available to provide more support if you find you need it.

IS THIS PART OF A RESEARCH STUDY?

Dr. Addie Weaver at the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan developed the Raising Our Spirits Together program and has already tested it in churches through funding by the National Institute of Mental Health. We know it works! Now, the program will implemented for the first time in Iowa. Dr. Weaver and her team would like to gain more understanding of its efficacy. So you’ll have the option to complete online surveys at various times in the program to provide that data. If you choose to do so, you will be paid for your time.

CAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS JOIN?

Unfortunately, no. This program was specifically designed for adults, age 18 or order.

WILL THERE BE OTHER SESSIONS?

Yes. We plan to offer this program one more time.

SIGN ME UP!

REGISTER FOR RAISING OUR SPIRITS TOGETHER

We have a limited number of spaces in our next two classes, which will both be meeting on Wednesdays from April 26 until May 24. The Lansing class will meet at Our Savior's Lutheran Church from 12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. The Waukon class will meet at Veterans Memorial Hospital from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Please enroll now to save your space.