Health Care & Wellness Ministries for, by, and within Congregations

Resolution #7

June 1-2, 2007

1. Identify all health care related individuals in the congregation. 

            Define “health care related” very loosely.  Social workers, counselors, therapists,  hospice

volunteers,  caregivers, physicians, nurses, administrators, pharmacists, school health

room workers.   Invite them to meet and to talk together about the ways that their faith and their life work come together (or don’t come together) and where the church fits in that equation.  What gifts can they offer the congregation?  Are there common issues or questions that they struggle with?  How can/does their church support them? 

Suggested resources:  My Grandfather’s Blessings and Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Remen,  The Healer’s Calling by  Daniel Sumalsy.

2. Identify a contact person in the congregation to receive and convey information regarding health care and wellness.   Return  the blue card to the Friday  workshop leaders or to the boxes with blue signage at the assembly on Saturday.  You can also  register your interest by sending an email to john@crossoflife.org.

3. Develop a common e-mail/phone list of all willing participants in your congregation, and begin to identify common interests among your members.  Are there any willing to take the lead in presenting topics like these to the congregation?

·        Adult forums:      Advanced Directives

Antibiotic Resistance

Access to health care (insured vs. uninsured)

Issues in health care (colonoscopy, osteoporosis, menopause,

            Cardiac catheterization, exercise, nutrition, food labels)

Weight Loss

Smoking

·       Confirmation Curriculum:     

Ethical Decision-making around end-of-life issues, sex and

relationships   (www.crossoflife.org click on the “2007 Health Care Resolution” button on the left-hand tool bar)

·        Senior High Curriculum:  Relationships, Sexuality, & Values  (http://www.crossoflife.org)

·        Blood Drives   (Blood Center of Wisconsin, www.bcw.edu, click on “hosting a blood drive or call 1-888-BE-A-HERO)

·        Health Fairs and Screenings (Cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, BMIs)

·        Parish Nurses  (Currently listed on www.crossoflife.org and shortly on www.milwaukeesyond.org or contact Prue Smith at psmith@luthermanor.org)

·        Link providers willing to volunteer services to free clinics in your communities

(Dr. Barbara Horner-Ibler, provider coordinator, horneribler@sbcglobal.net)

·        Advocate  and educate for public policy issues around health care.  (www.wichurches.org/healthcareresources, www.wccf.org/pdf/badgercareplus, www.pnhp.org)

4. Encourage one or more of your members to attend a synod-wide follow-up event:    Luther Manor Board Room, Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 7 PM