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Health
Ministry
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Luke 9:2 - "and he sent them
out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."
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Matthew
25:36 - "I
was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison
and you came to visit me."
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John 10:10
- "I came that they may have life, and have it
abundantly."
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1Peter
5:2 - "Be
shepherds of God's flock that is under your
care..."
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James
5:14 - "Is
any one of you sick? He should call the elders of
the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil
in the name of the Lord."
Health Ministry
Coordinator:
Dr. Elizabeth Valentine Louder (717-533-3931)
Mission Statement
We believe that a person
is not an isolated individual but someone created in
God's image, living in relationship with God, others,
and the whole of creation to accomplish God's purposes
in the world. Therefore, the Health Ministry seeks to
follow Jesus' example by ministering to the whole
person, connecting persons and resources to promote
physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being
within the congregation and community.
What Is
Health?
(Source: The United Methodist Church's General Board of
Global Missions)
The United Methodist Church understands health as:
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A dynamic state of well-being of the individual
and society.
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Holistic wellness, which is physical, mental,
spiritual, economic, political, and social.
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Being in harmony with each other, with the natural
environment, and with God.
John Wesley, in his book
Primitive Physick and in his sermons, established
for today's United Methodists the interconnectedness of
health with spiritual, mental, and physical well-being.
As a church, we continue to claim and build on that
understanding. Today, the Health and Welfare Ministries
of the General Board of Global Ministries resources the
promotion and development of holistic congregational
health ministries.
Most health problems are
related to lifestyle and are preventable. Research on
the immune system and other studies on what keeps people
healthy have identified the following important factors:
- Hope (a spiritual energy that activates the human
will).
- Religious belief and faith in a higher power.
- Meditation and prayer.
- A sense of meaning and purpose in life.
- Belonging, a sense of connectedness to others
(individuals and small groups) and community.
- A sense of responsibility.
- A positive self-image.
- Touch and love.
These are spiritual
factors and traditional areas for church involvement in
the lives of its members and community. The church can
empower people to take responsibility for their health
by making positive lifestyle changes. A transformation
that is deeply rooted in an enduring spirituality will
lead to healthy behavior and thinking.
We believe the human body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit, a sacred place consecrated by God's presence.
People who believe that the body is a gift and the
dwelling place of God will treat it with great care.
Holistically healthy people become other-directed rather
than self-serving. Loving and serving others are close
to the heart of the United Methodists and our Christian
understanding of wellness. Churches have an historic
tradition of caring and reaching out, especially to the
hurting and the marginalized.
Health
Ministry Programs
In general, congregational
health ministries do not provide “hands on” health care
services. They serve to facilitate and integrate with
services already in place in the congregation and
community, and to bridge gaps in the health care system.
Therefore, we will seek to coordinate with
programs in our church such as the Caring Ministry and the
Prayer Ministry, as well as with community health
programs.
Ask Dr. Beth
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If you're wondering, "Should I go to my doctor
for...?" or "What did my doctor mean when he
said...?" or have another health related concern,
please contact Health Ministry
Coordinator Dr.
Beth Valentine Louder (717-533-3931)
for assistance.
Blood Pressure Screening
- Offered between services
on the third Sunday each month. Please contact Jill Briggs
for more information. Click on the below image (by Bill
Fraley) to see a
recent blood pressure screening by Jill.
Hospital
Visitation - Daily Hospital visits by the
Pastoral Care Team, which includes Health Ministry
Coordinator Dr.
Beth Valentine Louder.
Friday
Faith Walk - Informal
gathering for fellowship and fitness (walking) held from
9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on the first and third Fridays
of each month, weather permitting. Group
meets in church parking lot.
Links
United Methodist Church Health and Welfare Ministries
General Board of Global Ministries' Congregational
Health Ministries
General Board of Discipleship' Healing Ministry and
Worship
Linking
Individuals with Non-Medical Congregational Support
Services (LINCSS)
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