Meets every Thrusday from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm on Zoom only.
What the Group Provides
Blakemore UMC provides a Depression Support Group for the church and community that is free and meets weekly on an ongoing basis. It meets every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on Zoom.
Depression and anxiety can be debilitating, often leaving those suffering with it feeling isolated and all alone. Our church family wants to support those in our community who suffer from depression and anxiety and lack support. All are welcome. We offer support to adults of all ages, and we have learned that intergenerational interaction can have its benefits. The group setting is designed to be a safe place where individuals can come and freely express their experiences and feelings without judgment.
A person attending this group can feel encouragement, support, and unconditional love from fellow group members. The only religious focus is that we love and care for each other as Jesus taught us to do. Blakemore welcomes all people regardless of age, race, gender, culture, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religious beliefs or none. We take pride that Blakemore is a Reconciling Church reaching out to all. The group is facilitated by Gayle Lembcke and Joe T. Hensley, who worships at Blakemore.
All people who are challenged by problems with depression and anxiety are invited to come and be a part of this loving, caring support group. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us physically apart, the group will meet using Zoom.
About the Group Facilitators
Gayle Lembcke
Gayle is a retired Social Worker originally from Western Kentucky. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Minor in Psychology from the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana. She worked many years in the Mental Health field, especially with chronic mental illness, providing Case Management and coordinating Day Treatment services. She has also been a Sexual Assault Counselor and worked in the Intellectual Disabilities field. She has participated in and coordinated several Support Groups through the years. Mental Health has always been her favorite area of Social Work, and she loves doing the groups. Gayle has been a member of Blakemore since 2008.
Joe T. Hensley
Joe is a longtime Blakemore member whose life has been shaped by counseling and listening. He worked for many years as a grief counselor at Woodlawn and has worked with Nashville Cares counseling people living with HIV/AIDs. He has provided compassionate witness to many during the darkest days of their lives.
All people who are challenged by problems with depression and anxiety are invited to come and be a part of this loving, caring support group. Everything said in the group is confidential. However if your depression and anxiety are complicated by alcohol and/or drug issues, this Group will not be an effective place to deal with your depression and anxiety at this time. A person needs to be clear of substances within their system to process their thinking clearly. It is expected that you first seek help through a substance abuse counselor or group treatment such as AA to get the appropriate treatment prior to coming to our Group. We support your efforts to prioritize your health and mental health through this endeavor.
Before joining the group, please contact Gayle either by email or by phone:
Gayle Lembcke at 615-305-4974.