Financial Assistance for Counseling and Mental Health Needs
Salem-Zion Mennonite Church
April 2025
For many years, Salem-Zion church has had a strong connection with the Wellspring Mental Health services in our community. SZ church members on the Wellspring board have related to our Outreach and Service Committee, shared reports from Wellspring meetings, and communicated information regarding counselors to our congregation. Wellspring has received financial support both from our Salem-Zion offerings and gifts from our Outreach and Service team.
In recent years, Salem-Zion has also contracted with Wellspring to offer three free counseling sessions with Wellspring counselors for any SZ church member/attendee. This was done as a way of encouraging mental health awareness and practicing self-care.
Because of changes within the Wellspring network, we have experienced some difficulty in hearing back from counselors, uncertainty as to who to call, and confusion as to what role the Freeman Clinic plays in making these connections. In addition, the Wellspring Board has met more inconsistently or not at all, leaving us to wonder about its efficacy in providing counseling services to those seeking help. Changing times require adaptability, even in church.
A NEW SEASON BEGINS FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AT SALEM-ZION
After the return of money from Wellspring that SZ had given them a few years ago for counseling services, the Outreach and Service Team, in consultation with the Deacons, decided that Wellspring (and all related mental health services) would no longer be under the Outreach and Service Team umbrella but would be managed by the deacons. The Deacon’s Sharing Fund will continue to exist for the purpose of helping our church members with financial assistance for surgery, physical needs, and other challenging situations. An additional fund, the Deacon’s Mental Health Fund, will be utilized for counseling and mental health needs. The deacons anticipate replenishing this fund through regularly scheduled offerings.
If you are in need of counseling and would benefit from financial assistance, the deacons are able to help, using funds from the Mental Health Fund. It does not matter whether you are receiving counseling from Wellspring (or any other qualified counselor), you are eligible to receive assistance for mental health care. Rising Hope is a reputable service that has many branches in southeastern South Dakota and is utilized by many in our community.
Let Pastor Corey or the deacons know of your need, and they will confidentially write you a check which you are trusted to use toward the expense of your counseling session(s).
This assistance for mental health is part of the way our church is fulfilling our mission of “living and sharing the good news of Christ’s Kingdom.” We are glad that Salem-Zion has funds and a clear mechanism for providing people the help they need.
In Christ’s healing love,
Pastor Corey on behalf of the deacons
Salem-Zion Mennonite Church
April 2025
For many years, Salem-Zion church has had a strong connection with the Wellspring Mental Health services in our community. SZ church members on the Wellspring board have related to our Outreach and Service Committee, shared reports from Wellspring meetings, and communicated information regarding counselors to our congregation. Wellspring has received financial support both from our Salem-Zion offerings and gifts from our Outreach and Service team.
In recent years, Salem-Zion has also contracted with Wellspring to offer three free counseling sessions with Wellspring counselors for any SZ church member/attendee. This was done as a way of encouraging mental health awareness and practicing self-care.
Because of changes within the Wellspring network, we have experienced some difficulty in hearing back from counselors, uncertainty as to who to call, and confusion as to what role the Freeman Clinic plays in making these connections. In addition, the Wellspring Board has met more inconsistently or not at all, leaving us to wonder about its efficacy in providing counseling services to those seeking help. Changing times require adaptability, even in church.
A NEW SEASON BEGINS FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AT SALEM-ZION
After the return of money from Wellspring that SZ had given them a few years ago for counseling services, the Outreach and Service Team, in consultation with the Deacons, decided that Wellspring (and all related mental health services) would no longer be under the Outreach and Service Team umbrella but would be managed by the deacons. The Deacon’s Sharing Fund will continue to exist for the purpose of helping our church members with financial assistance for surgery, physical needs, and other challenging situations. An additional fund, the Deacon’s Mental Health Fund, will be utilized for counseling and mental health needs. The deacons anticipate replenishing this fund through regularly scheduled offerings.
If you are in need of counseling and would benefit from financial assistance, the deacons are able to help, using funds from the Mental Health Fund. It does not matter whether you are receiving counseling from Wellspring (or any other qualified counselor), you are eligible to receive assistance for mental health care. Rising Hope is a reputable service that has many branches in southeastern South Dakota and is utilized by many in our community.
Let Pastor Corey or the deacons know of your need, and they will confidentially write you a check which you are trusted to use toward the expense of your counseling session(s).
This assistance for mental health is part of the way our church is fulfilling our mission of “living and sharing the good news of Christ’s Kingdom.” We are glad that Salem-Zion has funds and a clear mechanism for providing people the help they need.
In Christ’s healing love,
Pastor Corey on behalf of the deacons