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Suicide Prevention Ministry
By Pr. Lisa Rygiel

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide impacts people of all ages, especially youth and young adults. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It is also the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 10 – 44. Suicide continues to take more and more lives each year.

Worldwide about 727,000 people die by suicide each year globally, according to the World Health Organization's latest estimates. WHO also states that more than 720,000 people died by suicide in 2021, the most recent year for which comprehensive global estimates are available. [who.int],[cdn.who.int]

In the United States, the CDC reports 48,824 suicide deaths in 2024 (the latest national figure currently published on its suicide statistics page). [cdc.gov]

Researchers with the Trevor Project analyzed data from 61,000 transgender and nonbinary young people. They found that after states passed anti-LGBTQ+ laws, young people in those states were more like to attempt suicide.

Everyone should be aware of the signs of someone potentially contemplating suicide:

  • have a history of suicide attempt(s)
  • suffer from mental illness, often depression
  • abuse alcohol or drugs, including prescription painkillers
  • have health problems or chronic pain
  • have employment or financial problems
  • feel as though they are alone or isolated and lack social support
  • have relationship problems
  • have family members who have died by suicide
  • are victims of discrimination, violence, or abuse
  • experience feelings of hopelessness

Help is available. If you are dealing with someone you believe to be suicidal, available options are:

  • the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988
  • the Crisis text Line at 741741 if you'd prefer to send a message
  • a school counselor or spiritual leader such as a priest, pastor, or rabbi
  • the person in crisis’s doctor
  • 9-1-1 (if you feel the person is in immediate danger)

The ELCA has a ministry devoted to suicide prevention. You can get a lot more information at Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry. Their mission is to call on faith communities and equip them to reduce stigma, promote awareness, and provide training and resources to prevent suicide, and to help those who struggle with mental illness, their family, and their friends.

Announcements

  • Fellowship: Join us after worship on Sunday for our First Sunday Potluck. Come and enjoy food and fellowship, all are welcome.
  • Summer Supper Gatherings: Our final summer supper is at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. We look forward to seeing you there.
  • Zion’s Book Club: Our Adult Study opportunity resumes at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15 in the Fellowship Hall with “What if Jesus was Serious about Prayer”.
  • Proverbs Study: First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Raton/Trinidad has invited Zion’s to participate in September’s study of the Book of Proverbs (see the September newsletter for details). The study begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at FUMC in Raton and at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at FUMC on Broom Street in Trinidad.
  • Save the Date: God’s Work Our HandsSunday for Zion’s will be Sept. 13. The plan is for a special GWOH worship and fellowship at Zion’s before a sing-along at the Legacy. We also will assemble hygiene kits for the unhoused, which will be distributed through Keep Trinidad Safe. We are grateful to Jody Alford who already has procured 30 toothbrush/toothpaste packets. Please review the lists below for items needed. For more information, talk to Pr. Lisa.
    • Basic Hygiene Kit include: Toothbrush & toothpaste, shampoo, body soap, razors (men and women), combs, mini deodorant, alcohol-free hand sanitizer, band aids, cleansing towelettes, ChapStick, nail clippers.
    • Feminine Kits include those items as well as: tampons, mini and full-size pads, and feminine wipes.
    • One-Gallon plastic zip bags are needed.
  • We’re Here for You: For pastoral care, call Zion’s at 719-846-7785 or send an email: zionsluth@gmail.com.

15th Sunday in Pentecost, Sept. 6 is Creation in Christ Sunday

Creation In Christ Sunday: Since the seventh century, September 1 has symbolized the day of the creation of the world in the Byzantine tradition and has been the opening feast of its liturgical year (known as the Feast of the Indiction), in parallel with Rosh Hashanah marking the Jewish New Year. Creation in Christ celebrates the ongoing creation of the world in and through Christ, who sustains, unites, and holds all created things. We hear today of the triune God who creates all things: sun and moon, shining stars, sea monsters, creeping things and flying birds—and, yes, even human beings. God-in-Christ still takes care of all things and invites us to join in as caretakers of God's good creation.

Zion's Lutheran Church
zionsluth@gmail.com
719-846-7785