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Health Ministry Happenings |
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What About Healing Ministry? |
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Central to the practice of parish nursing and health ministry is the integration of faith and health. Parish nurses believe it is faith which sustains and brings wholeness even in the absence of cure. The faith health connection is readily apparent in many writings of the Bible. Some in our congregation are learning more about this topic in Pastor Jeff’s current Bible study based on Susan Vogel’s book, What About Divine Healing? A Study of Christian Healing. Others have a deepened understanding based on personal experience. All can learn more on this topic during worship for the next several Sundays as healing will be the sermon focus.
Luke 9:2 tells us how Jesus called his disciples together “and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God AND heal the sick”. Today, as His church, we are called to do the same. In modern day America, how does that happen? Does it mean we should throw out the pills and deny all our ills, of course not! God has gifted many with the knowledge and technology to assist people to health. But healing is much more than physical cure. God has created us “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14) The complexity of our person cannot be compartmentalized when considering health. The person; body, mind, spirit and social connection are intricately woven together. One loose or missing thread affects the whole tapestry. A person’s faith/spirit is of particular importance to health because it is the inner core of our being, where meaning and hope are found. Helping people to discover and connect to their faith helps bring wholeness and healing to their body.
The Pastors and parish nurses at Trinity Church understand the importance of spiritual care in the healing of persons. The pastoral team is committed to health and healing ministry for all people at Trinity. Specifically, intentional efforts are being made to assure pastoral visits to all persons and families experiencing significant health challenges. Just last week I had the opportunity to visit with a hospitalized member, a member in a nursing home and another just recently moved to an assisted living facility. All have been long time members of our congregation and illness/disability has separated them by miles from their church home. What a privilege it was to see the joy on each of their faces as I entered their rooms bringing with me their “church home”. After times of conversation and health review, ending the visits in prayer was a “holy” time for all. What a privilege it is to represent Trinity church and participate in these “healing” encounters.
Whether it is physical illness, emotional distress, grief response or other life challenges, the church is here for YOU! Please help us by notifying the church if you or a family member is hospitalized or having other significant health concerns CALL the church office at 887-7211.
Trinity Church IS answering the call to be a place of healing! |
