ENP Blog

Wellbeing: CCDA National Conference

From November 2nd-5th, four of our new staff members travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina for the Christian Community Development Association National Conference, where they connected with and learned from other community leaders. This year’s theme was “Wellbeing” and Economic Wellbeing, Civic Engagement & Societal Wellbeing, Congregational Wellbeing, Organizational Wellbeing, and Wholistic Wellbeing were explored.

Here are a few of the takeaways from the team:

Andrea Ricci

“Wellbeing is centered and driven by the community.”

“Understanding ≠ Agreeing. You can affirm someone’s dignity without affirming their ideas.”

Christian Gonzalez

So many of us were taught to live by (J)esus (O)thers (Y)ou and therefore neglecting YOUR wellbeing.

As the theme for the conference was wellbeing, Sandra Van Opstal shared, “Healing does not come through Isolation, healing happens in Community”.

This resonated strongly with me, being that this has been very true in my overall healing and wellbeing.

Sabrina Rodarte

Even in the midst of storm, there is no need to panic because Jesus is on the boat.

Laqusha Locke

Jesus leads us to recognize that, It Is Well.

We don’t have to wait until things are all good – we can have wellbeing now in the midst of what we go through.

Justice is personal accountability and a collective responsibility.

Everyone should feel safe in the place we call safe.

When you take the text out of the context you’re left with a con.

We need interconnected committed friends who want to see us grow.

Are we answering questions that no one is asking?

Waiting on the Lord…
How to endure the waiting in a world of instant gratification.
Productivity in our culture is the way worth is measured.
Waiting is not dead or wasted time.
Waiting is…
watching
worshipping with hope
singing
praying
declaring
praising
hope begins to rise again.

The ENP crew and a couple of friends

gabrielle@everyneighborhood.org

Gabrielle was born in Fresno, grew up and went to college in Southern California, and moved back to Fresno in 2014. She has worked with churches and non-profits in Fresno, where she developed an interest in Christian Community Development and what God is doing in Fresno. She has since made Fresno her home alongside her husband Jordan. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Gabrielle PicenoWellbeing: CCDA National Conference

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