Faith & Mental Health

Yes. I've been to these services since a child @ENKELI . Everyone looks forward to getting their promise cards.

There's something I would like your input on...

The ladies in my church have a WhatsApp group and I don't like WhatsApp groups because anyone in that group can see anyone else's phone number in that group, and I have to be super careful with my details and have had good intentioned people share it with those with bad motives in the church (not this church).

I'm scared to leave the mums Bible study group because of this, I want to feel included and leaving even this small group, (where I don't really fit anyway), would mean being even more left out and excluded.

I can't help that I need to protect myself... including my phone number...

I wish my privacy could be respected without me feeling excluded.

@ENKELI @tyme

@avant-garde unfortunately technology has taken over the sensibilities of a lot of people. I refuse to give my number out on WhatsApp to anyone other that my family and even some of them are blocked.

I guess you have already voiced your concerns about your number being available to the church group?

Do you have a counsellor or psychologist that you see regularly?

Feeling excluded/rejected is a huge thing with me, I suppose in today's vernacular it would be called a trigger. I have been rejected by every male in my life except for my grandfather and brother. I feel very hurt when I feel excluded and this happened at the Christian school I volunteered at. Because of my ex friend almost destroying me I can no longer attend the church attached to the school - her kids used to attend the school until she pulled them out because I stopped paying the school fees.

For me I had to find another church but that may not be an option for you. I just pray that you have someone to talk to in real time.

I'm praying for you and you don't have to be scared, you have a hedge of protection surrounding you

xo

True @avant-garde ,

My church group uses Viber. I'm connected but I don't respond or anything.

What do they share on the Watsapp group? Do you NEED to be on it to find out things? What happens if someone doesn't have Watsapp, are they excluded?

Maybe it's about people knowing you 'don't have Watsapp' and they will find another way to correspond instead?

I'm like that with Facebook, Instagram etc. I don't have any of them and feel that if i NEED to know something, I'll find out.

@ENKELI

• I guess you have already voiced your concerns about your number being available to the church group?

Yes they are very aware of my concerns, more so since I changed it recently due to a breach within the church

• Do you have a counsellor or psychologist that you see regularly?

gah, the concept of therapy is too raw for me right now but yes.

@tyme

• What do they share on the Whatsapp group?

details about serving and women's events and prayer points, whether someone has had a baby, denominational women's events, asking people for help like with meal trains or flowers

• Do you NEED to be on it to find out things?

I've missed out on things due to not being in the group

• What happens if someone doesn't have Whatsapp, are they excluded?

yes, they don't think to tell you, assume someone else will or that you don't need to know anyway... it's not like they miss me...

• Maybe it's about people knowing you 'don't have Whatsapp' and they will find another way to correspond instead?

I have Whatsapp but with no way for them to not see my number when part of the group due to very few people knowing my history I can't warrant 40+ women having my number and potentially adding me to groups that further spreads my number, it's much too dangerous

But they don't get that... they'll never get it...

Leaving isn't an option, every other remotely similar church either results in me screaming or being found, or worse, being manipulated...

Awww @avant-garde , that's so hard.

Would you consider giving feedback to Watsapp so that they have the option of making your number private??

Potentially, but a bit tired right now to think beyond today and packing for my trip

@Dimity I wonder if the main diocese has details of your baptism.

I am very vulnerable atm.

Keeping my post to the minimum.

Hey @ENKELI @avant-garde @Bessie78 @tyme

Hugs ❤️ 🫂 @ENKELI , @Appleblossom , @avant-garde , @Dimity , @tyme