Valley Episcopal Churches will hold a non-denominational Service of Remembrance on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 6:30 pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 182 Coram Avenue in Shelton.
“We would like to welcome all members of the community, families who have a loved one struggling with a substance use disorder and families who have lost a loved one to a substance use disorder,” said Reverend Deacon Thomas Mariconda. “It is important for us to acknowledge and support families to help reduce the stigma and shame associated with substance use disorders and overdose deaths. Last year 1,036 people died in CT from an accidental drug overdose.”
An important part of the Service of Remembrance will be offering up the first names of those who continue their work of recovery, the first names of family members who are affected by addiction, and the first names of those who have died from addiction. Anyone can submit a person’s name by mail to Church of the Good Shepherd, % Service of Remembrance, 182 Coram Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484.
Following the service, an educational presentation conducted by representatives from BHcare’s, Alliance for Prevention & Wellness will be in the church hall to answer questions, provide Narcan training, and encourage parents to walk through experience a “hands on” search for clues of high-risk behaviors in a typical home environment known as “Hidden In Plain Sight.” After exploring the exhibit, adults can engage in a dialogue to understand the hidden clues, risky behaviors, and how to have tough conversations with youth.
The mission and purpose of the Episcopal Churches in the Naugatuck Valley, the South Central Region and throughout the State of Connecticut is to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom, to teach, baptize and nurture new believers, to respond to all human need by loving service, to seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation, and strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
