CARING FOR HEALTH:
OUR SHARED ENDEAVOR
Health
Ministry at St. Mark's
God’s work.
Our hands.
During his
life, Jesus devoted much of his time to healing physical, emotional and
spiritual
brokenness. His charge to the Church included healing.
As you go, preach this message:
“The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those
who have
leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Mathew
10:7-8).
Health
Ministry enhances health and healing by empowering the faith community to
incorporate
health and healing practices from a faith perspective.
Under the direction of the Parish Health
Committee this is accomplished at St. Mark’s through monthly blood pressure
screenings, a
walking program, a weight loss support group, bulletin/newsletter articles,
meals to shut-ins,
tapes of the Sunday service, prayer shawls, an updated health information
bulletin board, and
grief support.
Through
congregational health ministry, the nurturing and care of the whole person
becomes
part of our response in faith to the gift of life we have been given.
The existence of this ministry
is a powerful witness that the community of faith cares and that living this
life well is part of our
prayer to a loving and gracious God. Health
ministry is one response that congregations can
make to ensure that faith, grace, and hope continue to be woven into the
tapestry of healing
offered to those is need of our care.
For
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
something
to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you
clothed me, I was
sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Matthew
25:35-40
Some
health-related links you might find helpful:
ELCA Sites:
Caring
For Health: Our Shared Endeavor:
http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements/Health-and-Healthcare.aspx
End
of Life Decisions: http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Messages/End-of-Life-Decisions.aspx
Our
Journey to Wellness: Conversations along the Way:
http://www.boldwomern.org/resources/journey_to_wellness.html
This
resource is your starting point for participating in the ELCA health initiative,
Raising Up Healthy Women
and Girls. It is a guide to having healthy dialogue in your community about
women's total health: physical, emotional, and spiritual.
http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Vocation/Rostered-Leadership/Diaconal-Ministry/Stories/Devine.aspx
Tammy
Devine: ELCA Wellness Coordinator
National Sites:
National Institutes of Health: http://www.nih.gov/
Healthfinder: http://healthfinder.gov/
MEDLINEplus:
http://medlineplus.gov/
The
Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/
Alzheimer's Association: http://www.alz.org/index.asp
Medicare:
http://www.medicare.gov/
SilverSneakers
Fitness Program: http://www.silversneakers.com/
Directory
of Patient Assistance Programs to Aid in the Cost of Prescriptions: http://www.rxassist.org/default.cfm
Your
Medicine: Play if Safe: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/safemeds/safemeds.htm
Funerals: A Consumer’s Guide: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro19.shtm
State Sites:
Ohio
Department of Aging: Programs, services and information for older Ohioans: http://goldenbuckeye.com/
State
of
Ohio
Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: http://www.ohpco.org/
Local Community Sites:
Van
Wert County Health Department: http://www.vanwertcountyhealth.org/
Health Ministry Sites:
National Health Ministries Association: http://www.pcusa.org/nationalhealth/
West Central Ohio Health Ministries Association: http://www.wcohealthministries.com/Index.html
International Parish Nurse Resource Center: http://www.parishnurses.org/
Congregational
Nurse Project of
St.
Mark's
160
(419) 238-6336 (Telephone)
(419) 238-6100 (Fax)
On the Web: http://www.stmarkslutheranvw.com/
Email