The Language We Use in Faith Spaces: Naming Addiction, Recovery, and Healing

National Recovery Month is a time dedicated to promoting evidence-based treatment, celebrating the resilience of recovery communities, and honoring the dedication of service providers who support recovery in all its forms. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Over 46 million people in the U.S. aged 12 and older (16.5% of the population) had a substance use disorder in 2021. Despite this staggering reality, many continue to suffer in silence due to stigma, shame, and inaccessible or unsafe support spaces. 

This special webinar will explore the power of language in faith communities when addressing addiction, recovery, and healing. Together, we will discuss and examine how the words we choose can either build bridges of compassion or reinforce stigma. Participants will gain insights on using faith-rooted, person-centered language that honors individual journeys while promoting healing, inclusion, and hope. 

Speakers: 

Cameron Cunningham, M.Div., NBA Mental Health and Wellness Program Coordinator, is a dedicated clergy, religious educator, and social advocate with a strong commitment to building faith communities and advancing holistic and social equity. Cameron’s work is driven by the belief that faith can serve as a catalyst for creating and nurturing strong unified communities. He brings exceptional dedication and meticulous preparation working at the intersection of faith and mental health as he has collaborated with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), to further enhance his expertise in addressing mental health and substance use disorders within faith communities. 

Rev. Kristin Peters is the minister of Garner United Methodist Church in Garner, IA, as well as a Board Eligible chaplain currently serving in Mason City, IA. Prior to that she served as the pastor of United Trinity Parish in Humeston, IA; as the interim minister at Chariton Christian Church in Chariton, IA; and worked as the Interfaith and Member Organizer at the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition in Fairbanks, AK. Kristin previously served on the board for The Poor People’s Campaign, 2020-2022; and on the Clergy Advocacy Board for Planned Parenthood, 2020-2022 (National). She holds a M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary and was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia in 2017.