Health Ministries in the Diocese of Ohio
Refresh Your Soul 2012: Spiritual Care in Times of Trial & Loss
From the organization that brought you the real Patch Adams, M.D. in 2011, Episcopal Retirement Homes' Parish Health Ministry presents "Refresh Your Soul 2012: Spiritual Care in Times of Trial & Loss" March 9-10, 2012, at Community of the Good Shepherd in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Conference opens on Friday, March 9 at 6 p.m. with a dinner and keynote topic: I Could Die Laughing: Promoting Humor with the Sick and Dying.
This year's conference will focus on:
- a spiritual model of care that can complement the medical model of care
- how to help people find meaning and value in the midst of pain and suffering
- how to assess a person's spiritual language
- learn about several tools and techniques that can help people explore and enhance their beliefs and values
- six ways of praying with people of any faith
- promoting humor with the sick and dying (Friday evening)
Download the brochure or register online.
Read more: Refresh Your Soul 2012: Spiritual Care in Times of Trial & Loss
Health and Episcopalians
We in the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio recognize the biblical obligation that each person in our diocese is responsible for their neighbor. As Episcopalians, we have an enduring commitment to work for and support health care for all people as a shared endeavored. God continues to call us to work in society for the individual, collective actions that promote health and ensure care for those who suffer. We seek to participate in and supplement health care services for all people who are in need. As stated in Luke 10.27 states "... love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as your self".
Accepting health care as a share endeavor requires commitment of all people to the well being of their neighbor and themselves. By Episcopalians joining together they can bring their gifts, work together in integrated ways and share ideas and experiences. They can meet one another in community to work for a just social system and for peace and integrity of creation and health.
Directory
Health and Scriptures
Possible Health Care Activities
National Episcopal Health Ministry
- Episcopal Retirement Homes, Inc
- Episcopal Conference of the Deaf
- Episcopal Disability Network
Funding
Possible Health Care Activities
In Titus 3:14 it is stated "And let people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs...". There are many kinds and types of activities that can be done individually, as a congregation or at a diocesan level. Here are a few of them:
Health and Christianity
God wants wholeness and salvation for each individual. As Christians, our task is to use whatever means possible to bring wholeness and health. Christians are called to understand health, healing and wholeness as a portion of their faith responsibility. Individually and corporately, we are to celebrate and give thanks for God's love for us and for all people. As we respond to this love we unite together as a justice seeking, compassionate and healing community. Justice is fair distribution of benefits and burdens of health care as Ezekiel 18:16 states "...as not to oppress anyone, give bread to the hungry and cover the naked with a garment".
We are mandated as Christians to seek compassionate ways to meet the health care needs of others. We are to responsively and responsibly care for others as well as our selves, meeting others at the point of their need. This is especially so in a social and economic context where this is a great disparity. We as Christians are called to be active participants in fashioning a just and effect health care system.
Health Ministry
Health ministry in a local congregation is an intentional ministry focusing on both healing and health, combining the ancient traditions of the Christian community and the knowledge and tools of modern health care.
The ministry addresses the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit. It is a living witness of the healing activity of God through the local congregation. It encourages whole-person health through:
- integration of mind ,body and spirit
- increase of self-knowledge
- personal responsibility
- interdependence among God's people.
Health ministry looks different from congregation to congregation, reflecting the needs, interest and resources of the faith community.
It does not replicate services that already exist in the community, but rather works with community partners and resources. The local congregation is a place where professionals and lay people can work together to keep people well, empower and educate, to advocate for health and to care for people in need. According to Jeremiah 30: 17, "For I will restore health to you and your wounds I will heal, says the Lord...".
National Episcopal Health Ministries
National Episcopal Health Ministry believes that local congregations need to live out Jesus's command to heal and to be good stewards of health. they are trying to lead the way for congregations to become vibrant, caring places of health and wholeness.
Their mission is to promote health ministry in the Episcopal Church, assisting local congregations to reclaim the Gospel mission of health and wholeness. According 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, "Now there is a varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;and there are a varieties of activities,but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good".
National Episcopal Health Ministries does the following:
- Teaches courses to equip Episcopal health ministers and parish nurses
- Networks and supports those involved with health ministry in Episcopal congregations
- Publishes educational and start-up materials for local congregations and dioceses
- Acts as a voice for health ministers within the Episcopal Church
National Episcopal Health Ministries
6050 N.Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
317-253-1277, ext.34
317-726-0569 FAX
Congregational Health Ministries
Congregational Health Ministry starts with a vision of wholeness of health for all God's people. It empowers a congregation to bring God's healing and wholeness to themselves and to their communities. We are part of National Episcopal Health Ministries at a diocesan level.
Health Ministry
- Witnesses to the healing activity of God
- Emphasizes the integration of mind, body and spirit
- Enhances and encourages the process of keeping healthy
- Adapts to the needs and the character of the particular congregation
Health ministry addresses the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit:
- H is for health promotion in the congregational and the community
- E is for educating the congregation and community
- A is for advocacy: good health is for everyone
- L is for liaison between the congregation and community services
- T is for training volunteers in the parish and community
- H is for healthers of the body, mind and spirit, which the Gospel call us to be.
There are two trained health ministers in our Diocese that are available to answer your questions about starting and sustaining health ministries in your congregation. They are Cheryl Gray R.N., BSN at St. Martin's Episcopal Church at Chagrin Falls, phone number is (330)-467-2538 and Linda Heitger, R.N., BA, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Canton; phone is (330)-477-4464.
Diocesan Liaison is Cheryl Gray, (330) 467-25388 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
S.E.A.
S.E.A
Society for Equal Access Independent Living Center, Inc provides services and programs for individuals with all type of disabilities in Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernesy, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties. These disabilities include physical, cognitive, emotional, visual and multiple disabilities.
Their purpose is two fold:
- Assist individuals with significant disabilities to live independently
- Serve the community at large by helping create an environment that is accessible by all
They provide 4 core services, information and referral, peer support, independent living skills and advocacy. Some of their other services are community education, youth services and services for visually impaired.
To find out more about S.E.A contact
Society for Equal Acess ILC, Inc.
1458 5th Street NW
New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
Phone: (330) 343-3668
Toll Free: 1-888-213-4452
TTY: (330) 343-3721
Episcopal Health Resources
John 10:10 states "I come that they may have life and have it more abundantly".
Episcopal Retirement Home, Inc.
This is an affiliated ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio. They are committed to improving the lives of older adults. Episcopal Retirement Homes create loving, life enriching, spiritually based communities for older adults and their caregivers, both families and staff. They have offices in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton/Miami and in the eastern are Wheeling, WV. You can visit on line at www.EpiscopalRetirenment.com.
The Episcopal Conference of the Deaf
The Episcopal Conference of the Deaf have been engaging in God's mission, encourage and empower ministry in the deaf community for 154 years. Today it represent many ministries with the deaf in Episcopal Churches throughout the United States. It includes various styles of ministries in working with the deaf as well as the hard of hearing. You can visit on line at www.ecdeaf.com.
The Episcsopal Disability Network
They are an organization of the Episcopal church that works for the inclusion of people with disabilities into the life of the church and society. They provide consultative assistance, offer multi-media resources on disability awareness and other disability issues and maintains a free lending library over 450 books and tapes on various tops on church, spirituality and disabilities issues. The network also functions as an advocate with church secular organizations on behalf of those with disabilities. You can visit on line at www.disability99.org. or email at disability99@earthlink.
Large Print Ministry
They have 3 CD that can help the Blind and Visually-impaired and others with Special Needs in their devotion and more fully pariticipate in whorship:Book of Common Prayer; Sing Praise to Our God and Prayers and Psalms For Today. Contact e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
