Faith Partners

House of Hope Faith Partners ministry is designed expressly for our church members by volunteers and pastoral staff. Our ministry was created in 2004, based on the positive results of a congregation-wide survey. Our program is part of a national effort underway in more than 100 places of worship.

FAITH PARTNERS ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
January 29, 2012 at 11:15 am – 12:00 pm in the Assembly Room
 
Introduction by Kris Stenson, Faith Partners Member
 
Michelle Goldberger, COR Program Director
COR Program Director Michelle Goldberger is a food addict with over seven years of stable recovery, who has maintained a sixty-pound weight loss for six years.  A recovered alcoholic as well, she has been clean and sober for seventeen years.
 
Michelle’s battles with addiction and experience with the solution she found in the 12 Steps answered for her the mystery facing so many others:  “Why does this keep happening to me?” Through COR she passes on what she has learned about a new way of living for those seeking freedom from compulsive overeating.
 
She is a conference speaker on addiction and has facilitated recovery groups and workshops at prominent treatment centers, such as The Retreat, for over ten years.  In addition to her duties at COR, Michelle is currently a graduate student at the University of Minnesota.  She holds two teaching licenses in the State of Minnesota and has taught children and adults in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan public schools (District 196) since 2006.  And through it all, she also raised five boys.
 
COR was founded by Burt Nordstrand.   “Cor” is the Latin word for “heart” or “soul.”  COR is a residential retreat that teaches a way to live free from the obsession with food and the excess weight it causes.  It is a proven method to stop overeating.  COR is affiliated with The Retreat and is located on the Wayzata campus.
 
 
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Susan Koll and Carol Pine pictured with the 2010 David Hancock Award

House of Hope Faith Partners ministry was the recipient of a national honor when the Presbyterian Church of the U.S.A.held its 219thGeneral Assembly in Minneapolis July 2010.  The David Hancock Award was given to Faith Partners for its work in addiction and recovery education. This award is sponsored by the Presbyterian Health, Educational and Welfare Association (PHEWA), a program of the PCUSA.

 

Our Mission:

The House of Hope Faith Partners Ministry serves the needs of our congregation, and the broader community, by addressing addiction in our midst. We will provide educational programs, resource information, outreach and support to people affected by addiction.

As members of the Houe of Hope Faith Partners team, we will be informed and active, always advocating for compassion, understanding and a safe, open setting in which to serve. 

Addiction is a destructive relationship with a substance, activity or person.
Recovery is a life-long journey and not a quick fix, requiring – with God’s help – a strong personal commitment and daily effort.

 

Recovery Sunday:  Recovery Sunday is held annually during the month of November.  Well-known speakers in the community deliever the sermon during worship service and meet with members and guests of House of Hope during the Adult Education hour afterwards. 

Faith Partners Team:  Susan Koll (Chair), Carol Pine, Dennis Anderson, Jan Favorite, Rev. Tom Forster-Smith, Debbie Jones, Larry Koll, Maren Mahowald, Jean McCahey, Cate Murphy, Mary Cardinal Peterson, Kelli Porthan, Kris Stenson, Nancy Stephan, and Don Vandenberg.