S2E1 - Laura Hamrick

In this week’s episode, Rob and Rachel sit down with Rev. Laura Hamrick. Laura serves as Clergy Engagement Coordinator for both the Clergy Health Initiative and the Religion and Social Change Lab. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and Wesley Theological Seminary, Laura is a second career pastor who worked in the field of group health insurance prior to entering seminary. An ordained elder in the Western NC Annual Conference, she served churches of various sizes in urban, suburban, and rural settings for seventeen years prior to entering ministry beyond the local church. Prior to joining the team at Duke, she served with Life Around the Table, where she helped to design and lead creation-based Sabbath retreat experiences for ecumenical groups of clergy in North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. In her current role, Laura connects with UMC clergy and denominational leaders to offer support and evidence-based resources developed through our research in order to support their flourishing in life and ministry. In this episode, Laura talks about the Duke Clergy Health INiative, how pastors can prepare themselves against burnout and mental health, ways local churches can help with their clergy’s health, and info about the upcoming event, “Flourish.” Registration is now open for Flourish: A Day Away for Clergy Care. All clergy serving KYUMC churches and extension ministries are invited to join the Board of Pensions nad the Board of Ordained Ministry on October 22 to connect with leaders and resources on practicing mindfulness, your physical wellbeing, and rediscovering self-care in ministry. Join us also on Monday, October 21 for dinner, fellowship, and trivia hosted by Louisville Trivia! All events on October 21 and 22 will be at the Kentucky Conference Office located at 7400 Floydsburg Rd, Crestwood, KY. Register by September 22 to be entered into a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card. Deadline to register is October 15. This event is FREE and all clergy are encouraged to attend. Register here.