Episcopal Recovery Ministries

The Episcopal Recovery Ministries (ERM) Committee of the Diocese of Missouri exists as a resource for people seeking information, guidance, and consolation in their struggles with substance abuse. ERM focuses on the person who is addicted and on the people who are affected by another’s addiction. ERM offers information to enable all those affected by addiction to find the help they seek.

Please visit the ERM website at www.ermdiocesemo.org for links to resources throughout the state of Missouri, such as:

• Times and locations of meetings for addicts and family members
• Detoxification, rehabilitation, and housing facilities
• Pain management groups for chronic pain sufferers whose access to opioids has been adversely affected because of the addiction crisis

For more information please contact any of the members of the Episcopal Recovery Ministries team, appointed by the Bishop:

• Kay Fletcher, member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church - Ellisville - [email protected]
• Loretta Go, member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church - Ellisville - [email protected]
• The Rev. Earl Mahan, Rector at St. Luke’s – Manchester & Good Shepherd – Town and Country
• Michael Watson, member of All Saints and Ascension - Northwoods
• The Rev. Sally Weaver, retired priest and Chair - [email protected]
• Machelle West, member of All Saints and Ascension - Northwoods

Substance abuse is a major issue in American society. But there is help and there is hope.

News from the 2019 Diocesan Convention

The 180th Diocesan Convention passed a resolution (Nov. 22, 2019) reestablishing the Episcopal Recovery Ministries. Our Diocesan General Convention Deputation submitted this resolution in response to a call from the 79th General Convention to provide resources for training, pastoral care, and liturgy to address the opioid epidemic and all that of addictive drugs.

Read the complete resolution.

Recovery Sunday

The 167th Convention of the Diocese of Missouri designated the first Sunday of Lent as Recovery Sunday in the Diocese. The ERM committee will be offering resources for a Recovery Sunday for Lent 2021. The following prayer from the Book of Common Prayer (page 831) may be used during the “Prayers of the People” at any time:

O blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.

Diocesan Alcohol Policy

Download a copy of the Diocesan Alcohol Policy (2010).