A WISE church in the United Church of Christ (UCC) is one that is Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged in caring for mental health and wellness. It means that the church is committed to creating a safe, inclusive space for individuals and families living with mental health challenges—reducing stigma, and promoting support and understanding. Becoming a WISE church involves education, dialogue, and taking intentional steps to make mental health a priority in all aspects of church life.

Under the wise leadership of Emily Whigham and Gayla Hager, First Congregational Church of Ramona is excited to embark on the journey of becoming a WISE congregation. It’s vital to have awareness around mental health because, sadly, there are places—even (especially?) churches—that still look negatively on people who suffer from challenges like anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, or other mental health struggles. Too often, people are discouraged from seeking the help they need, being told to "just get over it" or to "pray it away." This not only dismisses their very real experiences but also makes them feel unwelcome, isolated, and unsupported.

At First Congregational Church, we want to create a different kind of space—a space where individuals are encouraged; where mental health challenges are met with compassion, understanding, and support. We believe everyone is a gift just as they are, and we want to empower and accommodate those living with mental health challenges to know they are deeply loved, both by God and by this community.

While we already have a strong foundation of compassion, care, and support for one another, we recognize the importance of deepening our commitment to care. Our goal is to increase awareness, education, and understanding about mental health challenges within our church and the wider community. By working together, we can break down stigma, offer meaningful support, and ensure that everyone feels safe, valued, and included. We invite you to join us in this important work as we take intentional steps toward becoming a more fully welcoming and engaged community.

Emily Whigham invites you to consider being a part of this: “I am looking to create a team to help make FCC a Welcoming Inclusive Supportive and Engaged place for everyone who is living with or affected by someone with a mental health issue. The goal is to help educate our community to reduce the stigma that can come with mental illness, continuing to create a welcoming environment while learning how to better support those who are affected.”

If you are interested in joining the WISEst team at church please email Emily Whigham directly at StephenMinistry@fccramona.org.