Dear brothers, sisters and friends,
I hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather as much as I am.
At First Light Care, we are deeply grateful for the opportunities we have to connect with various church fellowship groups. In reflection, this year, I’ve noticed most of my invitations focused on family relationships—an area that forms the bedrock of our lives. Families can be a wellspring of strength and joy, but they can also present significant challenges.
Many pastors and leaders have shared that their congregations are seeking guidance on a range of family relationship issues. These include communicating effectively with adolescents, navigating marital conflicts, setting boundaries with elderly parents while preserving relationships, and motivating young children without relying on bribes or threats.
Through our discussions, we often find that these family challenges are possibly intertwined with underlying mental health concerns. For instance, a grandmother described as domineering may be struggling with generalized anxiety disorder. A child labelled as lazy and irresponsible could be dealing with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A young woman who finds it hard to form close relationships may be dealing with the impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Relationship issues are complex and frequently linked with mental health problems that may not yet be fully understood. Addressing these concerns is crucial for fostering meaningful relationships and achieving lasting recovery. This has been central to our mission at First Light Care for 25 years. We are committed to using our mental health expertise to address these deeper issues and support long-term positive change, all grounded in Christian values.
In the coming months, we are excited to launch our “Living Through Sunshine” series, offering support and treatment groups for various mental health challenges. Each series will feature five to six face-to-face sessions in a small group setting (up to eight participants) and will be available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin. All proceeds will support the First Light Care fund and our ministry. We are also seeking volunteers, or Journey Companions, to support participants during and after these groups. This role is ideal for those studying 4th year or postgraduate psychology. Volunteers will receive weekly support from an experienced registered psychologist and will commit 1-2 hours per week over 5-8 weeks. For more details, please visit “Journey Companions“.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in this vital ministry. Your involvement makes a profound difference, and we are grateful to journey alongside you in this work.
Lastly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our admin team for their dedication and hard work during the recent transitions in admin support, accounts, and service planning. Your serving hearts and kindness have made First Light Care a special place in the community. I am humbled and honoured to lead such a remarkable team and am so proud of all that you do.
Warmly,
Cherrie