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BIP: Mental Health and Spiritual Support in Times of Permacrisis

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BIP: Mental Health and Spiritual Support in Times of Permacrisis

Mental Health and Spiritual Support in Times of Permacrisis

6–10 January 2027 | Estonian Free Church Theological Seminary, Koskla 18, Tallinn, Estonia

Join us for a five-day international symposium (plus one online meeting in February), part of our Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), exploring how faith communities can support mental health and offer spiritual care in times of ongoing crisis.

Building on the January 2026 BIP on mental health in faith communities, the 2027 programme shifts the focus from understanding individuals to supporting communities under pressure. We welcome both returning lecturers and students and newcomers to our learning community.

Together, we will deepen our theological understanding and broaden our awareness of the human experiences that shape mental health amid war, displacement, disasters, polarization, economic insecurity, and other forms of collective trauma. Our aim is to explore how faith communities can respond with compassion and build communities of care.

Contribute to the programme
If you would like to lead a workshop or seminar relevant to the theme, please send your proposal to Professor Meego Remmel at meego[a]ekklesia.ee by 31 October 2026.

Erasmus enquiries
For Erasmus-related information and arrangements, please contact our Erasmus coordinator, Helina Voogne, at helina.voogne[a]kogudused.ee.

Practical information

Syllabus
Registration

Location: Estonian Free Church Theological Seminary, Koskla 18, Tallinn.

Dates: January 6 – 10 (virtual part on February 9th)
Teachers: Meego Remmel (KUS, Estonia), Adrian Sarbu (University of Bucharest, Romania), Karmen Maikalu (Estonia), and others
Course Fee:
For Erasmus participants the training is free of charge. The cost of two dinners will be paid in cash on site. 
For others the cost is 135 euros (includes training, coffee breaks and two dinners). 

Credits: 3 ECTS

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme participants will be able to:

  1. Explain how permanent crises affect individual and community mental health from psychological, spiritual and social perspectives.
  2. Demonstrate basic competencies in psychological first aid, spiritual care and supportive communication in risk societies.
  3. Design practical strategies for strengthening resilience and hope within churches, educational institutions and local communities.

Accommodation

Participants are responsible for booking their own accommodation. 

We have secured special offers from two nearby hotels: 

1) City Hotell Tallinn (Paldiski mnt 3-2, about 25 min walk away)
Single room 39 EUR per room for a night.
Twin room 45 EUR per room for a night. 
Breakfast 15 EUR per person in the hotel next door.

2) Centennial Nexus Hotell Tallinn (Endla 15, about 20 min walk). 
Single room 60 EUR per room for a night.
Twin room 70 EUR per room for a night. 
Breakfast buffet included.

For bookings please contact the hotel directly by e-mail reserv@uhotelsgroup.com and mention the code “BIP” in your e-mail in order to secure the special price. 

You will have to pay for the reservation yourself (or depending on how your institution is handling the Erasmus funds).

NB! make your reservation before 8.12.2026!

Schedule

  • Wednesday  |  January 6
    – Arrival and Introduction
    Theme: Hope in Times of Social Crisis

Morning–Afternoon
International arrivals
Accommodation
Registration
Orientation

  • 17:30–18:30 Dinner together
  • 18:30–20:00 Opening Session: How Do Churches Matter in Times of Permacrisis?
     – Opening worship
     – Welcome from the Estonian Free Church Theological Seminary – Einike Pilli
     – Introduction of participants & overview of the programme – Meego Remmel
     – Panel: Mental Health, Faithful Church and Social Responsibility
     – Speakers: Maire Latvala, Andrey Puzynin, Adrian Sarbu, Mihail Ciopasiu, Petri Patronen
  • Thursday  |  January 7
    Theme: Understanding Trauma and Community Resilience
  • 09:00–09:20 Morning devotion
  • 09:20–11:00 Lectures: 
    Trauma, Stress and Resilience in a Contemporary European Context
             – Lecturer: Merike Sisask
    Recognising Trauma Responses in Individuals and Communities
             – Lecturer: Karmen Maikalu
  •  11:15–12:45 Panel and Group Workshop: Best Practices for Supporting Trauma Survivors  
  • 13:00 Lunch 
  • 14:00–16:30 Study Visits
  • 16:30–17:30 Reflection groups: what did we learn from today’s visit?
  • 18:00 Dinner & free time
  • Friday  |  January 8
    Theme: Spiritual Care During Social Crisis
  • 09:00 Morning prayer
  • 09:30–11:00 Dialogue: Psychological First Aid and Pastoral Presence
                     – Lecturers: Elina Kivinukk & Andrey Puzynin
  • 11:15–12:45 Workshops:

                  – Proclaiming the Resurrection in a Funeral Sermon – Milos Masarik
                  – Boundaries of pastoral care – Meego Remmel
                  – Referral to professionals – Adrian Sarbu
                  – Mental and spiritual challenges of the digital and AI world – Karmen Maikalu
                  – Deeper Walk practices – Andrey Puzynin

  • 13:00 Lunch

    Afternoon – Tallinn Cultural Programme

  • 18:30 Round table dinners in regional-linguistic reflection groups
  • 20:00 Free time
  • Saturday  |  January 9
    Theme: Building Caring and Resilient Communities 
  • 09:00 Morning devotional
  • 09:30–11:00 Mini-lectures: The Church as a Community of Hope 
             – Speakers: Andrey Puzynin, Mihail Ciopasiu, Kristiina Krabi, Ago Lilleorg
  • 11:00–12:45 International Roundtable
             – participants from different countries present examples of churches serving in times of crises in society
  • 13:00 Lunch & free time
  • 16:00–18:00 Workshops in regional-linguistic reflection groups
                – How to:
                   1) design local mental and spiritual health initiatives?;
                   2) develop church support networks?;
                   3) respond to crises together?
  • 18:00 Dinner together
  • 19:00–21:00 Closing Evening: Stories of hope
                –     Worship & Prayer
                – Reports & Reflections – representatives of the regional-linguistic reflection groups
                – Evaluation and Visioning
  • Sunday  |  January 10
    Theme: Sent to Serve
  • 11:00–13:00 Participation in worship services in Tallinn ja Harju county churches
    Possible contributions:
             –  Scripture reading
             –  Testimony
             –  Music
             –  Prayer
             –  Short sermon or reflection
             –  Children’s message
             –  Assisting local congregations
  • 13:00  onwards departures to Tallinn Airport or toward homes on the road/rail
  • February 9 
    Virtual component via Zoom tentatively on 09.02.2027 15.00-17.15
    Reading seminar based on required reading. Solving case studies in groups.

Required readings:

  • Barker, Paul A., ed. 2019. Tackling Trauma: Global, Biblical, and Pastoral Perspectives. Carlisle: Langham Publishing.
 

Dual alternative:

  • Brueggemann, Walter. 2014. Reality, Grief, Hope: Three Urgent Prophetic Tasks. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 234.25 B889
  • Koenig, Harold G. 2018. Religion and Mental Health. Research and Clinical Applications. Oxford: Academic Press.