|
|
Michèle-Kelly and MCA News
Onward Together Into Mission for Jesus!
Join with us!
Summer 2022 Update
Confidential--Please do not share/circulate.
We provide and develop member care/mental health resources
to support mission personnel and senders around the world.
----------
We emphasize those working among the least-reached peoples and places
and connect/contribute broadly in light of major global issues.
Together again!
Photo April 2022 in Virginia at our nephew-cousin's wedding.
Hi friends and family,
We hope you and your loved ones are well during this summer (and very hot) season! Here is a short update about our family and work as psychologists in mission (five parts--featured item, work news, family news, prayer requests, MCA information). We are very grateful for your support as we in turn support those who are sharing their lives--the good news and good works--among the peoples of the earth.
This summer marks 35 years (1987) since we ventured full-time into mission. We said farewell to friends and family and life in California--Michèle left her work at Camarillo State Hospital and Pepperdine University and Kelly left his work at Loyola Marymount University and private practice. Over the years we have based our work in four countries in Europe plus the USA and have been actively involved in the pioneering and practical development of member care and mental health globally focusing on least-reached peoples and places. Thank you all and thank you Lord!
 And now in 2022--Onward together into mission for Jesus! We are seeking additional friends and colleagues to join with us in our work and financial support. Please consider this if you are not already a regular or periodic financial supporter. Or perhaps you might want to help with specific projects-needs. Our MCA donations have dropped by 50% over the last few years as several supporters have either died or retired. MCA is a registered charity in the USA (501c3) and we have a five-person Board. Information for giving and about our work is towards the end of this update along with a short description of three current projects-needs. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Thank you! MCAresources@gmail.com +1 860 514-6202
Featured Item
Edna with Jesus!
 
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2
Edna, Kelly's dear mom, went to be with our Lord in March, dying peacefully in her home in Virginia with several family members at her side (Kelly included). She lived to be 93! Edna (originally from the San Francisco CA area and then moving to the LA area) loved and was loved by her family and so many friends. Yet surely no one loved her more than her beloved husband, Richard, as seen in one of his many letters to her (2014): “How lucky I have been to have you as my one and only! I still think you are as beautiful as you were on that San Jose State campus. I shall always love you during any winter, summer, fall, or spring.” And so shall we! Here is a short overview about Edna and her life.
The ODonnell siblings--at Edna's funeral in Virginia, March 2022
A time of sadness and joy--solidarity and hope
Maureen, Tim, Patty, Kelly, Katy, Mike
Member Care Associates
Highlights of our Work
Join with us!
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.
My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:26
  
We continue with our usual work, consulting, writing, and training for member care in mission along with global mental health and integrity/anti-corruption. In spite of a lot of attention the last year to our parents' estate matters (and grieving the loss of both of our moms) we have stayed quite busy in our work. Some highlights are below (organized in two parts--Strategic Resources and Strategic Relationships):
Strategic Resources
Publications
O'Donnell, K., Eaton, J., & Lewis O'Donnell, M. Global mental health: Collaborating for sustainable development and wellbeing). In M. E. Congress, D. Meister S. Osborn, & H, Takooshian (Eds.). (2022). Behavioral Science in the Global Arena--Volume Two: Global Mental, Spiritual, and Social Health (pp. 3-21). Information Age Publishing.
O’Donnell K. and Lewis O’Donnell M. Living in global integrity: Moral wholeness for a more whole world. In R. van Rensburg, Z. Erdey Z., & T. Schirrmacher (Eds.). (2022). Essays on Holistic Biblical Ministries (pp. 335-354). Volume 22 of the World Evangelical Alliance’s World of Theology Series (free download). There are additional Multi-Sectoral Resources that we have done to accompany this chapter.
Strategic Relationships
Psychology Professors in Global Psychology-Mental Health. Kelly facilitates this group of 14 Christian colleagues (from 10 graduate psychology-mental health training programs). We continue to regularly send resources to this group and have met three times so far by zoom during the past year. Our purpose is "to support one another by sharing about our international, cross-cultural, multi-sectoral interests and work in psychology/mental health--research, practice, training programs, etc. as well as sharing some personal updates about ourselves."
Global Integrity Network (GIN). Kelly is on the Executive Team of GIN---comprised of 15 colleagues from around the world. It is a special issue network of the Lausanne Movement and World Evangelical Association. Our mission is "Empowering the people of God to champion the value and practice of integrity and effective anti-corruption campaigns."
Community of Practice. Michèle continues into the second year with a diverse group of colleagues to support each other's wellbeing and work in the peace-conflict sector. The group is organized by the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation at George Mason University. Michèle co-presented at a recent zoom meeting on how the use of language and terms can accurately describe or distort issues and hence help or hinder one's peace-related work.
International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC). This is the 20th conference, organized largely by Transparency International, and to be held 6-10 December 2022 in Washington D.C. Kelly is helping to spearhead the formation of a group of senior Christian leaders who could attend. Our purpose is to "actively participate in the IACC by a) presenting a workshop-panel about the strategic relevance of Christian efforts, b) attending workshops, c) meeting with and encouraging colleagues—especially Christians—who are involved in pro-integrity and anti-corruption efforts, d) building a greater network(s) of Christian colleagues and groups, and e) considering ways to actively network and be involved within the anti-corruption sector and the international Christian community for ongoing mutual benefit. We want to glorify God by working together more collaboratively to promote integrity and counter corruption as Christians who are committed to following Jesus Christ and sharing His love with the world.”
Family News
For I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work among you
will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
Erin--I continue to live in Los Angeles, working at the House Institute Foundation as the Associate Director of Education and Global Health. Recently I went on my first solo backpacking trip in the Eastern Sierras, continue to perform and record music with fellow musicians, and have taken up surfing. I am also part of a vibrant and growing community group at church. Pray for my work and my witness as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Ashling--I completed the requirements for my master’s in July and will be graduating in September from the Geneva Graduate Institute with a degree in development studies with a focus on forced migration. I have enjoyed spending the summer traveling in Europe, reading biographies, and learning obscure historical facts. I am also beginning to consider next steps and job opportunities working with refugees. Pray for doors opening for work and future involvements.
Michèle--I enjoy morning walks with a local group of ladies, cycling, reading about and researching many things such as health and nutrition, and spending time most days going through the devotional Jesus Always. Pray for me in my life/work as a follower of Jesus Christ and to maintain my good health.
Kelly--I continue to enjoy running, cycling and sipping morning coffee with Michèle, and our Monday night prayer group. One of my monthly work "rhythms" is compiling/writing the Member Care Updates and Global Integration Updates. Pray for further guidance for which areas to prioritize in work and for my ongoing good health.
It is God who is at work in you
both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13
Prayer
Pulling it all Together
Coming confidently into God's presence
with praise, petitions, intercessions, and thanksgiving
Point Mugu, CA USA. Image courtesy Erin
From the rising of the sun until its setting the name of the Lord will be praised.
Psalm 113:3
Ongoing Work
--To continue to leverage our practical and visionary impact via our writing, providing resources, consulting, and training (including the group forming to go to the International Anti-Corruption Conference in December).
--For ongoing and new ways to support the member care/mission community in view of the major issues and opportunities in our world (including the group of Christian professors involved in global psychology-mental health).
--For connections and wisdom in putting together a few short videos (three minutes) to promote our work at a large scale.
Family
--For our family's protection and spiritual vitality in Jesus--for Ashling, Erin, Michèle, Kelly.
-- For our daughters' relationships with friends near and far and Ashling finding a good job in the migration-refugee and related fields.
Support Team
--For additional friends-colleagues who would want to join together and support us in what we are doing. Remember, we are planning to continue our work in mission and member care for at least four more years. And then hopefully more! Feel free to contact us for more information--mcaresources@gmail.com +1 860 514-6202
--For three current projects needing funding:
1. Michele really needs a new computer (MacBook Air)--$900
2. Kelly is attending the International Anti-Corruption Conference in December in Washington DC and spearheading the formation of a team of senior Christian leaders (integrity champions) to attend--$1200
3. Our annual costs to keep our IT-based work flowing (internet service, websites and blogsites, telecom for consultations, etc.)--$1200
And prayer for you? Let us know.
May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. (2 Thes. 3:5)
Lots of love and our warmest greetings,
Kelly and Michèle
Information about MCA
--We provide and develop member care/mental health resources
to support mission personnel and senders around the world.
--We emphasize those working among the least-reached peoples
and connecting/contributing broadly in light of major global issues.
Donations
USA donations are tax-deductible. Thank you!
Please make checks payable to: "Member Care Associates."
Member Care Associates
17238 SE 85th Willowick Circle
The Villages, Florida 32162
-----------
MCA Overview: Kelly and Michèle
Member Care Associates, Inc. (MCA) is a faith-based, Christian organization committed to providing and developing resources for workers and sending groups within the mission community, especially those focusing on least-reached peoples/places (LPPs). We also connect and contribute to the overlapping health, humanitarian, development, human rights, and peace sectors.
Our MCA work as psychologists is primarily based in/from Geneva as well as the USA and emphasizes member care along with global mental health and integrity/anti-corruption. It includes regular interactions with personnel/events in the United Nations, World Health Organization, international NGOs, and faith-based groups—and hence there are several materials, perspectives, and news items that we review to inform our work and share with colleagues.
Our travel to consult and train also offers important opportunities for supporting workers, sharing resources, networking, and mutual learning. In line with our Global Integration framework and our Missio Dei global member care model (see below), we encourage collaboration and the emergence of new emphases-entities in light of global realities and the mission of the church, with three examples being global mental health (mental health as mission), global integrity (moral health for a more-whole world), and humanity care (wellbeing for all—people-planet).
|
|
|
|
|
|
