Church launches free no-contact emotional support program for those struggling from pandemic

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North Hills has launched a new weekly service to help people grappling with emotional issues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Since this is an email subscription, it is not at all geographically limited,” said Susan Myrick, a volunteer with the church. “We invite people from anywhere to participate.”

“Hope4HeavyHearts” provides resources to help people with personal issues such as anxiety, grief, anger, fear and hopelessness.

“These problems are far more prevalent due to the covid-19 pandemic,” she said.

The free program is being offered in conjunction with the Institute for Biblical Counseling.

The subscription will cover a separate topic each week, which will then be posted on the church’s website where it can be viewed again or by people who join after the program’s March 19 launch, Myrick said.

To subscribe, send an email to H4HH@rpcnh.org, or call Chelsea at 412-522-6717.

The church conducts services in English and Chinese, which are being livestreamed during the pandemic.

During the past several years, the church also has become known for the free multi-level programs it conducts for non-native English speakers.

Those programs were halted because of the coronavirus restrictions, so church staff sought other ways to provide services to the community, Mayrick said.

“We felt the emotional support program was a good way for us to address very current problems people are experiencing without having to be in person,” she said.

Once the restrictions on public gathering are eased, monthly emotional support sessions might be conducted at the church along Thompson Run Road in Ross.