PASSED - R3: Resolution Concerning Health Ministry in the Congregations
Approved with correction
Submitted by
The Rev. Terry Dautel, the Rev. Chris McCann, the Rev. Gayle Catinella, the Rev. Evelyn Manzella, Cheryl Gray, Karen Swan, Linda Heitger, and Ruth Brown.
Resolved, that the 192nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio affirm Resolution A124 adopted at the 74th General Convention of 2003 2006 “reaffirming the commitment of the Episcopal Church in providing a Christian response to the health care needs of those within our nation;” and be it further
Resolved, that this Convention establish a Diocese Health Ministry Task Force consisting of lay and clergy members appointed by the Bishop, to act as liaison with the Standing Commission on Health of the Episcopal Church, to support existing health ministries; to encourage development of new health ministries; to promote training for health ministers; and to provide education for the Diocese on issues and concerns related to health ministry.
The initial term of this Task Force will be three years. The task force will furnish an annual report of its activities to be included in the Journal of the Annual Convention.
Rationale
The 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, meeting in Columbus, Ohio, in 2003 2006, passed Resolution A124 establishing a Standing Committee on Health and Human Affairs. In that resolution the duties of the Commission include v) “collecting and developing resources and teaching materials related to access to health care for the use of dioceses, congregations, and individuals;” and (vi) “advocating health ministry in and through local Episcopal congregations.”
The Diocese needs a task force to act as a liaison to the Standing Commission. The proposers’ intention is to encourage more parishes within our diocese to develop health ministries to meet the needs of their congregations and communities, and to provide educational resources to help parishes to start and maintain such ministries.
