Bishop David Graves invites all clergy to join him in welcoming the Rev. Dr. Ronald Bell, Jr. to South Georgia for a Clergy Day Apart on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 10am - 3pm at Mulberry Street UMC in Macon.
Dr. Bell will focus on “Are You Breathing: Resilience Practices for Embracing Grief, Loss and Identity.”
As we all live through an unprecedented season in our ministry and in our denomination, it is important that we not only address and process this season in healthy ways, but it is paramount that we rest and restore our mind, body and spirit. Dr. Bell will provide us with ways in which to do this and asks that each participant brings with them a memento that represents their faith.
CEUs will be available. Cost for this retreat is being offset by a grant received from the General Commission on Religion and Race. A $10 registration fee will cover the cost of lunch for each participant. This event is being sponsored by the Office of Connectional Ministries and the Task Force on Mental Health.
Questions? Contact Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed at abra@sgaumc.com or Kelly Roberson at kelly@sguamc.com.
About Dr. Bell
Dr. Bell serves as Director of Healing and Resilience for Discipleship Ministries and The Upper Room. He is passionate about emotional formation and the intersection of faith and mental health. Dr. Bell has also served as both a new church plant pastor, Director over Congregational Development and SBC 21 for the Peninsula Delaware Annual Conference, and as a senior pastor of a UMC church.
He is an author and regular guest columnist for several publications. He has written articles for The Upper Room, UMNews.org and has published articles in the Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support quarterly journal, and Wesley Theological Seminary’s Lewis Center for Church Leaders’ Leading Ideas newsletter, among other publications. Three of his most popular books deal with his work with grief and trauma: Is There Space for Me Embracing Grief through Art, The Eagle and the Squirrel: Stories, Fables and Truths for Emotional Formation and The Four Promises Journeying through Past and Present Trauma. On his blog site www.DrRonBell.com, you can find many of his most popular articles on race, trauma, empathy, and grief. He has also created an ongoing webinar series on Trauma and Empathy that he has led with several universities including St. Paul College, Bethel University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Fuller Theological Seminary and several others, as well as with numerous nonprofits and county agencies.
He serves on many boards including Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support, National Social Justice Clinical Pastoral Education board and SBC21 national executive committee. Ron is married to Dr. Eboni M. Bell, and they have two sons.
Dr. Bell has a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Morgan State University, a master’s degree in Theology from Regent University School of Divinity, a doctorate degree in Ministry from Lancaster Theological Seminary, he has been certified in Trauma Response and Crisis Intervention from Rutgers University School of Social Work and he has a Business Leadership Certificate from Central Piedmont Community College. Ron is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.