Notes on the Role of Worshipping Communities amid Pandemic
Gary R Gunderson
Sr. Vice President for Faith and Health Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, Memphis, TN.
What is the role of congregations when a community faces possible epidemic?
Contemplating a potential flu pandemic makes us all aware of the remarkable range and depth of community assets that protect the health of the population and provide comfort and care to those may fall ill. The United States has a particularly rich array of churches, mosques, temples and places of worship that represent nearly every faith tradition in the human experience. They have particular strengths that are especially valuable when trust, caring, comfort and confidence may be as important as our medical technologies in the face of epidemic disease. The particular strengths of congregations are certainly part of the community’s capacity to respond in crisis.
We never know when a new flu virus may emerge that creates new threats and challenges. Congregations develop the webs of trusted relationships all the time that turn out to be extremely useful in a crisis. Congregations have unique strengths which, when linked, the complementary strengths of healthcare and public health organizations can create a strong, resilient community capable of confronting many challenges.
Congregations in Memphis that are associated with the Congregational Health Network or the United Methodist Conferences are already linked to a broad set of connections that help you and your members find out what to do and where to go in crisis. Your Liaisons know the Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare navigators. They are always a good “first call” when confused. But your congregation has important strengths on its own that are important upon which to build in a time of community need.
The strength to accompany.
Faith entities commonly are welcomed into the lives of those who would otherwise be isolated. They tend to know which of their own members and neighbors may be likely to be confined at home or in institutions. They can often move across barriers of family, race, ethnicity, class and other distinctions to create the bonds of relationship across which valid information and help about pandemic flu might flow. Key questions to ask:
1. What likely-to-be overlooked people do we accompany already, such as the homebound elderly or adolescents estranged from school or family?
2. How might we form appropriate relationships of trust with others who may need us in crisis?
3. Do we have outreach or inreach committees that could be prepared to play an explicit role around a possible pandemic, such as prayer groups who may be tuned to care for others easily overlooked?
4. How might we act to ensure the public authorities know about these isolated people that might otherwise be bypassed by the community?
The Strength to Convene.
Faith entities often gather in very small and very large groups that cross many lines in order to care for people, or to discuss important moral issues. Sometimes faith leaders work together to form coalitions that are the building block of larger community efforts, such as we’ve seen recently in the wake of Katrina.
4. What groups is our congregation already part of that might help convene people in the context of pandemic flu?
5. How might we work with other faith leaders to help create a network of trust and confidence that can extend the capacity of public agencies?
6. Are there particular groups in the community that might need special attention or preparation, such as recent immigrants? Could we help convene to ensure they are included in community planning?
The Strength to Connect.
Worshipping communities gather people from many backgrounds, ages and interests. These relationships build significant networks of trust that are crucial in the context of emergencies, which often face breakdowns in normal lines of coordination. These complex relationships often extend into neighborhoods and groups that may not even be visible to high level formal authorities. Thus faith groups can be crucial connectors in pandemic conditions and prevent the instinct to work alone.
7. Let your members know about the numerous connections members already have to multiple agencies and institutions in your community.
8. Notice to what agencies your members work in and provide some level of leadership. These may be especially useful when formal lines of relationship are damaged or stressed by crisis.
9. Personal relationship augments the formal lines of collaboration among institutions. Consider having different members become familiar with the kinds of paperwork or policies that might govern access to services in a time of crisis so they can help others who may need assistance.
Strength to Frame or Story.
Worshipping communities often are trusted to get the story correct, to place disturbing or difficult information in the context of a hopeful and compassionate framework. A pandemic may create swirls of rumor and fear that make effective community response difficult. From crucial “simple” information such as where to access vaccine, to potentially complex and controversial instructions for quarantine, faith groups will be expected to get the story correct. Public sources of information are not trusted by some groups, who may look instead to faith leaders and congregations.
10. Do we know where to get timely and accurate information about flu and health challenges?
11. Have we considered what kind of theological or ethical issues may need to be addressed around pandemic flu? If needed, where would we seek trusted advice from other faith leaders facing similar challenges?
12. Have we considered how we will communicate to all age groups and their caregivers, including children, parents and those that may be isolated?
Strength to give Sanctuary.
From ancient times houses of worship have been considered to be sanctuaries in times of crisis. Faith groups extend that meaning to include the idea of providing safe space for for making available vaccine and health services, care and comfort for those that are ill and to those that may care for them.
13. How might our building be useful to the community as a safe space amid flu?
14. Are there things we should prepare for to make sure our building is as safe and accessible as neighbors may expect it to be? Do we need to consider having masks and other sanitary aids on hand?
15. Should we plan on ensuring that we are able to secure resources and material that may be needed to provide safe shelter in crisis?
16. Should we think about how our pattern of public gatherings may need to be altered in light of the potential risks of infectious spread? Should we prepare policies in advance so that people will know whether our public gatherings are proceeding as planned or in an altered form?
Strength to Bless.
While public institutions have legal authority to enforce public policies, worshipping groups have a special power to offer blessing, comfort and encouragement. Pandemic flu has the potential to make people fearful, inflaming old prejudices and divisions. Faith leaders should focus on holding up community values of trust, inclusion, fairness and compassion, on which all public policies rest.
17. How might we form open relationships now with groups most likely to face exclusion or isolation in the context of pandemic?
18. How can we anticipate the pattern of fears most likely to arise in pandemic and practice messages aimed at alleviating those fears in advance?
Strength to pray and offer ritual.
Worshipping communities worship. In a time of pandemic faith groups will face challenges to continue to offer up prayer, rituals of many kinds that undergird the hope, trust and compassion of their members and the community.
19. How can we plan to offer worship and participation in key rituals even when faced by pandemic?
20. Can we anticipate the need for new kinds of ceremonies or, perhaps those less commonly used in non-pandemic times?
21. Should we consider meeting with other faith leaders to think about interfaith services that may be appropriate amid pandemic?
Strength to Endure.
All of our faith traditions have seen many other pandemics and catastrophes before. This historical perspective is a great strength. While we prepare to protect the community and its vulnerable members, our faith leaders can be confident that this potential pandemic will be endured and survived as have many others.
22. Are we familiar with how our faith tradition has responded to other pandemics and large scale challenges?
23. Are there particular revered leaders whose memory may offer relevant guidance to us amid another pandemic season?
24. In what way can we learn from other generations who have faced difficult times? How did they do it? What sustained and encouraged them?
By focusing on the strengths of our worshipping communities, our preparations for pandemic conditions build on the foundations that have stood against fear and panic many times before, offering our community reality-based encouragement that lets us go about the work of prevention and care that honors God’s hope for us all.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Swine/Novel Flu Facts, April 2009
What is Swine/Novel Flu?
Swine flu is a contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs and can be transmitted to humans. The current strain is a new variation of an H1N1 virus, which is a mix of human and animal versions.
Why should I be concerned?
Because of a recent outbreak of swine/novel flu in Mexico and some cases in the U.S., we are taking precautions to increase public safety and limit the virus.
How common is swine/novel flu infection in humans?
In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine flu virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported.
What are the symptoms of swine/novel flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine/novel flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, tiredness, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
How does swine/novel flu spread?
Though not common, flu viruses may be spread directly from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs.
Human-to-human transmission of swine/novel flu can also occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu virus on it (like secretions from the nose of an infected person) and then touching their mouth or nose.
How can human infections with swine/novel flu be diagnosed?
A respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness or in some cases, 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine/novel flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to the State or CDC for laboratory testing.
What medications are available to treat swine/novel flu infections in humans?
CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment of infection with swine/novel flu viruses. At this time, there are no vaccines available.
What is Swine/Novel Flu?
Swine flu is a contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs and can be transmitted to humans. The current strain is a new variation of an H1N1 virus, which is a mix of human and animal versions.
Why should I be concerned?
Because of a recent outbreak of swine/novel flu in Mexico and some cases in the U.S., we are taking precautions to increase public safety and limit the virus.
How common is swine/novel flu infection in humans?
In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine flu virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported.
What are the symptoms of swine/novel flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine/novel flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, tiredness, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
How does swine/novel flu spread?
Though not common, flu viruses may be spread directly from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs.
Human-to-human transmission of swine/novel flu can also occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu virus on it (like secretions from the nose of an infected person) and then touching their mouth or nose.
How can human infections with swine/novel flu be diagnosed?
A respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness or in some cases, 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine/novel flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to the State or CDC for laboratory testing.
What medications are available to treat swine/novel flu infections in humans?
CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment of infection with swine/novel flu viruses. At this time, there are no vaccines available.
Center for Disease Control Quick Reference Guide for Public Information on Infection Control -- Resources for Public Information on Swine/Novel Flu and Infection Control
General Swine Flu Information
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_003
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm:
Provides facts about Swine Influenza
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm
Swine Flu and You: Provides answers to questions about Swine Influenza
http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11226
Swine Flue Video Podcast: In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee, with the CDC Influenza Division, describes swine flu - its signs and symptoms, how it's transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.
http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11072
All you have to do is wash your hands Podcast: This Podcast teaches children how and when to wash their hands properly.
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/rss/
Swine FLu RSS feed: Receive automatic updates on Swine Flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention right on your desktop or browser.
http://www.pork.org/PorkScience/Documents/PUBLICHEALTH%20influenza.pdf
INFLUENZA: Pigs, People and Public Health: Public Health Fact Sheet from National Pork Board
The National Swine Flu Situation Page (tm). Content on the page updates automatically and contains information from multiple web sites in one location. CDC, health, maps, RSS news feeds and more.
http://www.vuetoo.com/vue1/Situationpagenews.asp?af=&sit=4540&z=&np=&tp=14
Flu Information for Children/Parents & Child Care Providers
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery/2008-09/parents_guide.htm
The Flu: A Guide for Parents: Questions and answers about the flu, how to protect your child, treatment, and more
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/childcaresettings.htm
Preventing the Spread of Influenza (the Flu) in Child Care Settings: Guidance for Administrators, Care Providers, and Other Staff: Flu recommendations for schools and child care providers
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/qa.htm
Questions and Answers: Information for Schools: Printable version of answers to questions commonly asked by school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/infantcare.htm
Protecting Against the Flu: Advice for Caregivers of Children Less Than 6 Months Old: Research has shown that children less than 5 years of age are at high risk of serious flu-related complications.
http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/home_work_school.htm:
Fact Sheet on stopping germs at home and school
http://www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention/
Ounce of Prevention: Tips and streaming video for parents and children about the steps and benefits of effective hand washing
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery/index.htm
Center for Disease Control Free Flue Materials: This year’s seasonal flu materials are free for download—no printed versions are available. They may be printed on a standard office printer, or you may use a commercial printer. Emphasis remains on outreach to high-risk groups, as well as parents of all children, health care workers, and people in the workplace.
Prevention Methods
http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/
Clean Hands Saves Lives: Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/
Hand Hygiene in Healtcare Setting: Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings - 2002.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5605a4.htm
Hand washing to reduce Disease: Recommendations to Reduce Disease Transmission from Animals in Public Settings
http://www.bam.gov/teachers/epidemiology_hand_wash.html
BAM! Body and Mind, Teacher's Corner: In this activity, students will conduct an experiment on washing their hands. They will learn that "clean" hands may not be so clean after all and the critical importance of washing their hands as a way to prevent the spread of disease.
http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/HandsTogether/
Center for Disease Control TV - Put Your Hands Together: (Video) Scientists estimate that people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm
Cover your Cough Posters: Stop the Spread of Germs that Make You and Others Sick! ... Printable formats of "Cover Your Cough". Posters only available as PDF files.
http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/materials/home_work_school.pdf
Center for Disease Control flu information: Stopping Germs at Home, Work and School. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/pdf/qa.pdf
Questions and Answers: Information for Schools: Information about preventing the spread of flu in schools
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/
Information for Schools & Childcare: Cover Your Cough Materials. View larger image. See the Cover Your Cough page on this site for poster and flyer formatted for use in schools.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/stopgerms.htm
Stopping the Spread of Germs: Stop the Spread of Germs Healthy habits at home, work, & school; Printable Materials, flyers & posters, Cover Your Cough, Germ Stopper Poster.
http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/materials.htm
Center for Disease Control - Be a Germ Stopper; Posters and Materials: For Community and Public Settings Like Schools and Child Care Facilities). ... Cover Your Cough also available for health care settings.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/resphygiene.htm
Cough Etiquette in Health Care Settings: Tips to prevent the spread of germs from coughing; Information about Personal Protective Equipment Demonstrates the sequences for donning and...
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab4.html/
Workplace Planning: Includes flyers and posters, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Chinese...
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/workplace/
Seasonal Flu Information for Workplaces & Employees: Resources for Workplaces & Employees
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/preparednesstools.htm
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Tools for Professionals: Resources to help hospital administrators and state and local health officials prepare for the next influenza pandemic.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/patiented.htm
Patient Education Materials: This season’s materials reflect outreach to high-risk groups, including caregivers and parents of infants...
School Materials and Posters
Germ Stopper Materials
"Be a Germ Stopper" posters and screensavers. Simple reminders for good hygiene for use in classrooms, cafeterias or laminated for bathrooms. See the Stop the Spread of Germs site at www.cdc.gov/germstopper.
Cover Your Cough Materials
See the http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm Cover Your Cough page on this site for poster and flyer formatted for use in schools.
"It's a SNAP" Toolkit
Program materials to help prevent school absenteeism Activities for school administrators, teachers, students and others can do to help stop the spread of germs in schools. See the handcleaning section of the "It's a SNAP" site at www.itsasnap.org/snap/about.asp.
General Swine Flu Information
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_003
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm:
Provides facts about Swine Influenza
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm
Swine Flu and You: Provides answers to questions about Swine Influenza
http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11226
Swine Flue Video Podcast: In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee, with the CDC Influenza Division, describes swine flu - its signs and symptoms, how it's transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.
http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11072
All you have to do is wash your hands Podcast: This Podcast teaches children how and when to wash their hands properly.
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/rss/
Swine FLu RSS feed: Receive automatic updates on Swine Flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention right on your desktop or browser.
http://www.pork.org/PorkScience/Documents/PUBLICHEALTH%20influenza.pdf
INFLUENZA: Pigs, People and Public Health: Public Health Fact Sheet from National Pork Board
The National Swine Flu Situation Page (tm). Content on the page updates automatically and contains information from multiple web sites in one location. CDC, health, maps, RSS news feeds and more.
http://www.vuetoo.com/vue1/Situationpagenews.asp?af=&sit=4540&z=&np=&tp=14
Flu Information for Children/Parents & Child Care Providers
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery/2008-09/parents_guide.htm
The Flu: A Guide for Parents: Questions and answers about the flu, how to protect your child, treatment, and more
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/childcaresettings.htm
Preventing the Spread of Influenza (the Flu) in Child Care Settings: Guidance for Administrators, Care Providers, and Other Staff: Flu recommendations for schools and child care providers
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/qa.htm
Questions and Answers: Information for Schools: Printable version of answers to questions commonly asked by school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/infantcare.htm
Protecting Against the Flu: Advice for Caregivers of Children Less Than 6 Months Old: Research has shown that children less than 5 years of age are at high risk of serious flu-related complications.
http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/home_work_school.htm:
Fact Sheet on stopping germs at home and school
http://www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention/
Ounce of Prevention: Tips and streaming video for parents and children about the steps and benefits of effective hand washing
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery/index.htm
Center for Disease Control Free Flue Materials: This year’s seasonal flu materials are free for download—no printed versions are available. They may be printed on a standard office printer, or you may use a commercial printer. Emphasis remains on outreach to high-risk groups, as well as parents of all children, health care workers, and people in the workplace.
Prevention Methods
http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/
Clean Hands Saves Lives: Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/
Hand Hygiene in Healtcare Setting: Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings - 2002.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5605a4.htm
Hand washing to reduce Disease: Recommendations to Reduce Disease Transmission from Animals in Public Settings
http://www.bam.gov/teachers/epidemiology_hand_wash.html
BAM! Body and Mind, Teacher's Corner: In this activity, students will conduct an experiment on washing their hands. They will learn that "clean" hands may not be so clean after all and the critical importance of washing their hands as a way to prevent the spread of disease.
http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/HandsTogether/
Center for Disease Control TV - Put Your Hands Together: (Video) Scientists estimate that people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm
Cover your Cough Posters: Stop the Spread of Germs that Make You and Others Sick! ... Printable formats of "Cover Your Cough". Posters only available as PDF files.
http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/materials/home_work_school.pdf
Center for Disease Control flu information: Stopping Germs at Home, Work and School. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/pdf/qa.pdf
Questions and Answers: Information for Schools: Information about preventing the spread of flu in schools
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/
Information for Schools & Childcare: Cover Your Cough Materials. View larger image. See the Cover Your Cough page on this site for poster and flyer formatted for use in schools.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/stopgerms.htm
Stopping the Spread of Germs: Stop the Spread of Germs Healthy habits at home, work, & school; Printable Materials, flyers & posters, Cover Your Cough, Germ Stopper Poster.
http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/materials.htm
Center for Disease Control - Be a Germ Stopper; Posters and Materials: For Community and Public Settings Like Schools and Child Care Facilities). ... Cover Your Cough also available for health care settings.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/resphygiene.htm
Cough Etiquette in Health Care Settings: Tips to prevent the spread of germs from coughing; Information about Personal Protective Equipment Demonstrates the sequences for donning and...
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab4.html/
Workplace Planning: Includes flyers and posters, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Chinese...
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/workplace/
Seasonal Flu Information for Workplaces & Employees: Resources for Workplaces & Employees
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/preparednesstools.htm
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Tools for Professionals: Resources to help hospital administrators and state and local health officials prepare for the next influenza pandemic.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/patiented.htm
Patient Education Materials: This season’s materials reflect outreach to high-risk groups, including caregivers and parents of infants...
School Materials and Posters
Germ Stopper Materials
"Be a Germ Stopper" posters and screensavers. Simple reminders for good hygiene for use in classrooms, cafeterias or laminated for bathrooms. See the Stop the Spread of Germs site at www.cdc.gov/germstopper.
Cover Your Cough Materials
See the http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm Cover Your Cough page on this site for poster and flyer formatted for use in schools.
"It's a SNAP" Toolkit
Program materials to help prevent school absenteeism Activities for school administrators, teachers, students and others can do to help stop the spread of germs in schools. See the handcleaning section of the "It's a SNAP" site at www.itsasnap.org/snap/about.asp.
Monday, April 27, 2009
VBS kids TREK across God’s beautiful world
Transform, Rejoice, Experience & Know God with the Society of St. Andrew’s free VBS mission project featuring “Go Green” facts
Each day during Vacation Bible School, students are “sent” on a mission adventure with the Society of St. Andrew’s new VBS mission project, “TREK.” The adventures put them on the front line of learning the importance of eating healthy, sharing with others, and using their hands to help God’s hungry children.
“TREK Mission Adventure” is offered at no cost by the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA), Advance #801600 and Resolution #4093 of the United Methodist Church. It is designed to supplement VBS programs and can be easily adapted to any VBS theme.
This year’s program features daily “Go Green” facts with such information as how much it costs the U.S. to dispose of all its food waste. Daily activity sheets for all ages also contain short scripturally based stories, facts about hunger and SoSA’s hunger-relief ministry, potato trivia, and pencil activities.
“Through this program our kids learned about hunger … and things they can do to help,” said the VBS director of St. John’s UMC, Kansas City, MO, regarding last year’s Vacation Bible School.
In addition to the fun and educational aspects of these daily “mission adventures,” the goal for each VBS is to raise enough through student offerings for the Society of St. Andrew to save and donate 1,000 pounds of fresh produce that will end up on the plates of hungry Americans. At about a nickel a pound, that’s a goal of $50.
The Society of St. Andrew’s national hunger-relief ministry uses thousands of volunteers to glean (save) excess fresh vegetables and fruits that are perfectly good and nutritious but can’t be sold because of market factors. Instead of letting this food go to waste, SoSA ships it to agencies throughout the nation that feed the hungry, and does it at a cost of a little over 5¢ a pound! “It’s a simple and effective way to obey Jesus’ command to feed the hungry, while also being good stewards of our nation’s abundance,” explained The Rev. Jennifer Vestal Moore, SoSA’s director of church relationships.
The VBS director at Athens First UMC in Athens, GA, last year said, “We sent home your handouts each day to reinforce the focus and to educate parents and children about hunger. The kids talked about how much better they would feel helping others versus buying another toy.”
Last year 157 churches used the Society of St. Andrew’s VBS mission project. The children attending VBS enthusiastically answered Jesus’ call to feed the hungry by donating $36,846 – enough to provide more than 2.1 million servings of food to hungry men, women and children! On average, each participating VBS raised more than four-and-half times the goal of $50.
All materials are free and available now. Order a sample kit today. There is no obligation. Call Rev. Moore at the Society of St. Andrew, 800-333-4597; email church@endhunger.org; fax your request to 434-299-5949; or order online at http://www.endhunger.org/vbs.htm. If your materials do not arrive within two weeks of placing your order, please call the Society of St. Andrew.
More information about the Society of St. Andrew and its hunger relief ministry, including the Gleaning Network, Potato & Produce Project, Harvest of Hope, and Hunger Relief Advocate programs, is available at www.endhunger.org.
Transform, Rejoice, Experience & Know God with the Society of St. Andrew’s free VBS mission project featuring “Go Green” facts
Each day during Vacation Bible School, students are “sent” on a mission adventure with the Society of St. Andrew’s new VBS mission project, “TREK.” The adventures put them on the front line of learning the importance of eating healthy, sharing with others, and using their hands to help God’s hungry children.
“TREK Mission Adventure” is offered at no cost by the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA), Advance #801600 and Resolution #4093 of the United Methodist Church. It is designed to supplement VBS programs and can be easily adapted to any VBS theme.
This year’s program features daily “Go Green” facts with such information as how much it costs the U.S. to dispose of all its food waste. Daily activity sheets for all ages also contain short scripturally based stories, facts about hunger and SoSA’s hunger-relief ministry, potato trivia, and pencil activities.
“Through this program our kids learned about hunger … and things they can do to help,” said the VBS director of St. John’s UMC, Kansas City, MO, regarding last year’s Vacation Bible School.
In addition to the fun and educational aspects of these daily “mission adventures,” the goal for each VBS is to raise enough through student offerings for the Society of St. Andrew to save and donate 1,000 pounds of fresh produce that will end up on the plates of hungry Americans. At about a nickel a pound, that’s a goal of $50.
The Society of St. Andrew’s national hunger-relief ministry uses thousands of volunteers to glean (save) excess fresh vegetables and fruits that are perfectly good and nutritious but can’t be sold because of market factors. Instead of letting this food go to waste, SoSA ships it to agencies throughout the nation that feed the hungry, and does it at a cost of a little over 5¢ a pound! “It’s a simple and effective way to obey Jesus’ command to feed the hungry, while also being good stewards of our nation’s abundance,” explained The Rev. Jennifer Vestal Moore, SoSA’s director of church relationships.
The VBS director at Athens First UMC in Athens, GA, last year said, “We sent home your handouts each day to reinforce the focus and to educate parents and children about hunger. The kids talked about how much better they would feel helping others versus buying another toy.”
Last year 157 churches used the Society of St. Andrew’s VBS mission project. The children attending VBS enthusiastically answered Jesus’ call to feed the hungry by donating $36,846 – enough to provide more than 2.1 million servings of food to hungry men, women and children! On average, each participating VBS raised more than four-and-half times the goal of $50.
All materials are free and available now. Order a sample kit today. There is no obligation. Call Rev. Moore at the Society of St. Andrew, 800-333-4597; email church@endhunger.org; fax your request to 434-299-5949; or order online at http://www.endhunger.org/vbs.htm. If your materials do not arrive within two weeks of placing your order, please call the Society of St. Andrew.
More information about the Society of St. Andrew and its hunger relief ministry, including the Gleaning Network, Potato & Produce Project, Harvest of Hope, and Hunger Relief Advocate programs, is available at www.endhunger.org.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Statement by Bishops of The United Methodist Church on news that President Obama will take up immigration reform in 2009
We join other religious leaders in thanking President Obama for placing immigration reform on his political agenda for 2009. As United Methodists we believe that immigration is a human rights issue that needs serious attention. We stand firmly in believing that the inherent value of all immigrants means that all of their civil liberties should be respected and maintained regardless of their legal status. We believe, however, that our present immigration policies violate these basic rights.
We encourage President Obama to work for comprehensive immigration reform that would…
.Provide a pathway to citizenship for immigrants;
.Reunify immigrant families that have been separated by immigration itself or due to work place raids and ensuing indefinite detentions and deportations;
.Increase the number of visas for short-term workers to come into the United States to work in a safe, legal, and orderly way.
.Extend legal protection to all workers who come to stay for a certain period of time as well as for those who stay permanently including the right to bargain for higher wages, to protest against poor working conditions, and to preserve their human rights as workers, be they documented or undocumented;
.Eliminate privately-operated detention centers, which are not regulated by the federal or state governments, and end all indiscriminate raids.
We stand ready to assist President Obama in this mighty work of comprehensive immigration reform that would truly serve the common good.
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
Bishop of the Phoenix Area
of The United Methodist Church
and Chair of the United Methodist
Task Force on Immigration
Bishop Gregory Palmer
President of the Council of Bishops
of The United Methodist Church
and Bishop of the Illinois Area
Bishop Kenneth L. Carder
Professor of the Practice of Christian
Ministry Duke Divinity School
Bishop Jane Allen Middleton
Bishop of the Harrisburg Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky
Bishop of the Denver Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Judith Craig,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward
Bishop of the Mississippi Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Joe A. Wilson,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Roy I. Sano,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Peter D. Weaver
Bishop of the Boston Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop C. Joseph Sprague,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop George W. Bashore,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Elías G. Galván,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Joel N. Martinez,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop S. Clifton Ives,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata
Bishop of the Portland Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Susan Murch Morrison,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Richard J. Wills, Jr.
Bishop of the Nashville Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop William Boyd Grove,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
Bishop of the New Jersey Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Felton Edwin May,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Julius C. Trimble
Bishop of the Iowa Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr.
Bishop of the San Francisco Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Grant Hagiya
Bishop of the Seattle Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Jeremiah Park
Bishop of the New York Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Marshall L. Meadors, Jr.,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
We join other religious leaders in thanking President Obama for placing immigration reform on his political agenda for 2009. As United Methodists we believe that immigration is a human rights issue that needs serious attention. We stand firmly in believing that the inherent value of all immigrants means that all of their civil liberties should be respected and maintained regardless of their legal status. We believe, however, that our present immigration policies violate these basic rights.
We encourage President Obama to work for comprehensive immigration reform that would…
.Provide a pathway to citizenship for immigrants;
.Reunify immigrant families that have been separated by immigration itself or due to work place raids and ensuing indefinite detentions and deportations;
.Increase the number of visas for short-term workers to come into the United States to work in a safe, legal, and orderly way.
.Extend legal protection to all workers who come to stay for a certain period of time as well as for those who stay permanently including the right to bargain for higher wages, to protest against poor working conditions, and to preserve their human rights as workers, be they documented or undocumented;
.Eliminate privately-operated detention centers, which are not regulated by the federal or state governments, and end all indiscriminate raids.
We stand ready to assist President Obama in this mighty work of comprehensive immigration reform that would truly serve the common good.
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
Bishop of the Phoenix Area
of The United Methodist Church
and Chair of the United Methodist
Task Force on Immigration
Bishop Gregory Palmer
President of the Council of Bishops
of The United Methodist Church
and Bishop of the Illinois Area
Bishop Kenneth L. Carder
Professor of the Practice of Christian
Ministry Duke Divinity School
Bishop Jane Allen Middleton
Bishop of the Harrisburg Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky
Bishop of the Denver Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Judith Craig,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward
Bishop of the Mississippi Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Joe A. Wilson,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Roy I. Sano,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Peter D. Weaver
Bishop of the Boston Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop C. Joseph Sprague,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop George W. Bashore,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Elías G. Galván,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Joel N. Martinez,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop S. Clifton Ives,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata
Bishop of the Portland Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Susan Murch Morrison,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Richard J. Wills, Jr.
Bishop of the Nashville Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop William Boyd Grove,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
Bishop of the New Jersey Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Felton Edwin May,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Julius C. Trimble
Bishop of the Iowa Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr.
Bishop of the San Francisco Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Grant Hagiya
Bishop of the Seattle Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Jeremiah Park
Bishop of the New York Area
of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Marshall L. Meadors, Jr.,
Retired
The United Methodist Church
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Social justice agency saddened by shooting deaths
U.S. Congress urged to create 'effective gun legislation' to stop increasing violence.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) expressed sadness at the “unnecessary and heartbreaking” gun-related violence of the past weekend in the United States.
Fourteen people, including the alleged perpetrator died at the American Civic Assn. in Binghamton, N.Y., on Friday. On Saturday, three Pittsburgh police officers were shot and killed while answering a domestic dispute.
Last year, The United Methodist Church’s highest policy-making body adopted a resolution that declared “the need to prevent the incidence of firearm-related injury and death is an issue of increasing concern and a priority public health issue.” In the resolution on “Gun Violence,” the denomination calls for social policies and personal lifestyles that bring an end to senseless gun violence.
GBCS’s statement, signed by Jim Winkler, top executive of the agency, points out that the shootings in Binghamton were “particularly sad” because the majority of those killed were refugees. They were “immigrants who had fled war-torn and violent parts of the world to come to the safety of the United States only to meet a violent death,” the statement emphasizes.
GBCS states that its sadness at the tragic loss of life is equaled by its “continued disappointment” at the inability of the U.S. Congress “to enact necessary, common-sense gun regulations.” The statement cites several necessary issues for Congress to address: instituting background checks on all gun sales, including at gun shows; limiting bulk sales of guns intended to be illegally sold; and reinstating the ban on sale of military assault weapons to civilians. GBCS contends these would help lessen the increasing violence associated with the current absence of “effective gun regulations.”
“In the face of mounting killings due to gun violence, it is imperative for Congress to take action,” states GBCS, the denomination’s social justice agency. “In the interest of public safety, we cannot afford to allow the power of the gun lobby and its efforts to ensure ownership without responsibility to keep Congress silent and inactive.”
The General Board of Church & Society is one of four international general program agencies of The United Methodist Church. The agency’s primary areas of ministry are Advocacy, Education and Leadership Formation, United Nations and International Affairs, and resourcing these areas for the denomination. It has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and at the Church Center at the United Nations in New York City.
The statement on gun violence follows.
GBCS Statement on Shooting Deaths in Binghamton, N.Y., and Pittsburgh, Pa.
The General Board of Church & Society of The United Methodist Church is saddened by the gun-related violence of this past weekend. Fourteen persons died in the shooting at the American Civic Assn. in Binghamton, N.Y., on Friday, and three police officers were killed on Saturday while answering a domestic dispute call in Pittsburgh, Pa. These tragic events are unnecessary and heartbreaking, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims’ families.
What is particularly sad about each of these events, which occurred just hours apart, is that the majority of those killed in Binghamton were refugees. These immigrants had fled war-torn, violent, and poverty-stricken parts of the world to come to the safety of the United States only to meet a violent death.
In Pittsburgh, the accused murderer lay in wait for the police. He was wearing a bullet-proof vest and used an assault weapon.
Theologian William Sloane Coffin has said we are in a “world awash with weapons.” The United Methodist Church believes, “the need to prevent the incidence of firearm-related injury and death is an issue of increasing concern and a priority public health issue. The United Methodist Church is among those religious communions calling for social policies and personal lifestyles that bring an end to senseless gun violence” (2008 Book of Resolutions, “Gun Violence”).
Our sadness at the tragic loss of life is equaled by our continued disappointment at the inability of Congress to enact necessary, common-sense gun regulations. Background checks on all gun sales, including those at gun shows, limiting the bulk sales of guns intended to be illegally sold, and reinstating the ban on military assault weapons to civilians would be necessary steps to start. These steps would help lessen the increasing violence associated with the current absence of effective gun regulations.
In the face of more and more mass killings due to gun violence, it is imperative for Congress to take action. In the interest of public safety, we cannot permit the power of the gun lobby and its efforts to ensure ownership without responsibility to keep Congress silent and inactive.
As followers of Jesus the Peacemaker, we yearn for leadership of those who will restore safety and security in our public spaces. The right to own guns should be measured by the enormous responsibilities attached to it.
It is clear from the increasing gun violence in the United States that these responsibilities are not being taken seriously. Therefore, it is incumbent upon Congress to take action and ensure that these responsibilities and regulations be enacted.
Jim Winkler
General Secretary
General Board of Church & Society
The United Methodist Church
April 7, 2009
U.S. Congress urged to create 'effective gun legislation' to stop increasing violence.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) expressed sadness at the “unnecessary and heartbreaking” gun-related violence of the past weekend in the United States.
Fourteen people, including the alleged perpetrator died at the American Civic Assn. in Binghamton, N.Y., on Friday. On Saturday, three Pittsburgh police officers were shot and killed while answering a domestic dispute.
Last year, The United Methodist Church’s highest policy-making body adopted a resolution that declared “the need to prevent the incidence of firearm-related injury and death is an issue of increasing concern and a priority public health issue.” In the resolution on “Gun Violence,” the denomination calls for social policies and personal lifestyles that bring an end to senseless gun violence.
GBCS’s statement, signed by Jim Winkler, top executive of the agency, points out that the shootings in Binghamton were “particularly sad” because the majority of those killed were refugees. They were “immigrants who had fled war-torn and violent parts of the world to come to the safety of the United States only to meet a violent death,” the statement emphasizes.
GBCS states that its sadness at the tragic loss of life is equaled by its “continued disappointment” at the inability of the U.S. Congress “to enact necessary, common-sense gun regulations.” The statement cites several necessary issues for Congress to address: instituting background checks on all gun sales, including at gun shows; limiting bulk sales of guns intended to be illegally sold; and reinstating the ban on sale of military assault weapons to civilians. GBCS contends these would help lessen the increasing violence associated with the current absence of “effective gun regulations.”
“In the face of mounting killings due to gun violence, it is imperative for Congress to take action,” states GBCS, the denomination’s social justice agency. “In the interest of public safety, we cannot afford to allow the power of the gun lobby and its efforts to ensure ownership without responsibility to keep Congress silent and inactive.”
The General Board of Church & Society is one of four international general program agencies of The United Methodist Church. The agency’s primary areas of ministry are Advocacy, Education and Leadership Formation, United Nations and International Affairs, and resourcing these areas for the denomination. It has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and at the Church Center at the United Nations in New York City.
The statement on gun violence follows.
GBCS Statement on Shooting Deaths in Binghamton, N.Y., and Pittsburgh, Pa.
The General Board of Church & Society of The United Methodist Church is saddened by the gun-related violence of this past weekend. Fourteen persons died in the shooting at the American Civic Assn. in Binghamton, N.Y., on Friday, and three police officers were killed on Saturday while answering a domestic dispute call in Pittsburgh, Pa. These tragic events are unnecessary and heartbreaking, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims’ families.
What is particularly sad about each of these events, which occurred just hours apart, is that the majority of those killed in Binghamton were refugees. These immigrants had fled war-torn, violent, and poverty-stricken parts of the world to come to the safety of the United States only to meet a violent death.
In Pittsburgh, the accused murderer lay in wait for the police. He was wearing a bullet-proof vest and used an assault weapon.
Theologian William Sloane Coffin has said we are in a “world awash with weapons.” The United Methodist Church believes, “the need to prevent the incidence of firearm-related injury and death is an issue of increasing concern and a priority public health issue. The United Methodist Church is among those religious communions calling for social policies and personal lifestyles that bring an end to senseless gun violence” (2008 Book of Resolutions, “Gun Violence”).
Our sadness at the tragic loss of life is equaled by our continued disappointment at the inability of Congress to enact necessary, common-sense gun regulations. Background checks on all gun sales, including those at gun shows, limiting the bulk sales of guns intended to be illegally sold, and reinstating the ban on military assault weapons to civilians would be necessary steps to start. These steps would help lessen the increasing violence associated with the current absence of effective gun regulations.
In the face of more and more mass killings due to gun violence, it is imperative for Congress to take action. In the interest of public safety, we cannot permit the power of the gun lobby and its efforts to ensure ownership without responsibility to keep Congress silent and inactive.
As followers of Jesus the Peacemaker, we yearn for leadership of those who will restore safety and security in our public spaces. The right to own guns should be measured by the enormous responsibilities attached to it.
It is clear from the increasing gun violence in the United States that these responsibilities are not being taken seriously. Therefore, it is incumbent upon Congress to take action and ensure that these responsibilities and regulations be enacted.
Jim Winkler
General Secretary
General Board of Church & Society
The United Methodist Church
April 7, 2009
Friday, April 03, 2009
Nashville Clergy Issue United, Community-wide Call to Action to Obtain Federal Aid for Metro Nashville General Hospital
Services to Community, Education for Physicians, and Jobs in Local Economy Are Threatened by Reductions in Local & State Funding
Nashville clergy have issued a united, city-wide call to action to secure federal aid for Metro Nashville General Hospital. Clergy members announced their effort on behalf of the hospital at a news conference on March 31. Among the people participating in the news conference were (left to right) Reverend Jerry Maynard II; Reverend Henry Blaze, Progressive Baptist Church; Reverend Judi Hoffman, Edgehill United Methodist Church; and Reverend Jay Voorhees, Antioch United Methodist Church. More than 70 Nashville clergy have already signed a declaration of support to secure federal funding for Metro Nashville General Hospital
Nashville, TN – Nashville clergy have announced a united, city-wide call to action to secure federal aid for Metro Nashville General Hospital as the hospital faces reductions in local and state funding that threaten the hospital’s unique role as a provider of medical care to thousands of Nashvillians and as an education partner with Meharry Medical College. During a news conference on March 31, Reverend Henry Blaze, Progressive Baptist Church, and Reverend Judi Hoffman, Edgehill United Methodist Church, said that more than 70 Nashville clergy have already signed a united declaration of support to seek and secure federal funding for Metro Nashville General Hospital. They urged Nashville citizens and community, business, civic, and health care leaders to join them in this effort.
Bishop Jerry Maynard, Cathedral of Praise, said, “Health care is a matter of justice and morality. We talk about Nashville being a great city. However, our city’s greatness must include access to healthcare for all of our people. If our city fails to provide this, Nashville falls short of greatness no matter how many businesses move here or how many tourists visit.”
“Metro Nashville General Hospital faces a financial crisis that threatens the city’s healthcare infrastructure. Because of the economy, Nashville has an increasing number of uninsured residents who need to know that their city has not forgotten them and their need for access to a hospital. Metro Nashville General Hospital is our city’s safety-net for acute care medical services,” said Rev. Blaze.
Metro Nashville General Hospital serves more than 30% of the uninsured patients in the city. The hospital incurred $70 million in expenses for uncompensated care in 2008, while receiving $34 million from Metropolitan Government as a subsidy for the indigent care services.
Rev. Judi Hoffman explained, “We know that the State of Tennessee and Metro Government of Nashville Davidson County face tough economic times. However, we believe that our city has a moral obligation to operate a fully accredited public safety net hospital to serve the health care needs of Nashvillians.”
Need for a Fully Accredited In-patient Facility
The clergy stressed that it is crucial that Metro Nashville General Hospital continue to operate as a fully accredited, in-patient facility.
“We can be proud of the network of primary care clinics that operate in our city. However, people who have acute illnesses need to receive care in a hospital. Without Metro General Nashville Hospital, there would be nowhere for them to go,” said Rev. Hoffman.
Rev. Hoffman also noted that without this accredited in-patient facility, the education of hundreds of Meharry medical and dental students is threatened because of the unique partnership between Metro Nashville General Hospital and Meharry Medical College.
The clergy stressed that the hospital’s funding crisis could have a long-term impact on the health of the nation because the training for thousands of future physicians could be curtailed. They noted that the Metro General – Meharry Medical College partnership is a unique national health care resource that is deserving of federal financial support.
United Methodist Minister Fred Cloud, seen here with Pastor Maurice Harris of the Hosea Community Church, is one of the United Methodist ministers speaking up for Metro General Hospital.
Meharry Medical College is the largest private, comprehensive historically black institution for educating health professionals and scientists in the United States. Metro Nashville General Hospital serves as Meharry’s principal teaching facility. The Meharry-General Hospital partnership is part of the nation’s health education infrastructure.
Hospital’s Economic Impact
Freda Player, Change that Works Tennessee, spoke at a public rally following the March 31 news conference. Addressing more the 100 people who attended the rally, she pointed out that the hospital has an annual budget of $95 million and a payroll of over 700 employees.
“The hospital is a major employer in Nashville. In the current economic situation, where would 700 people find jobs in our city? Federal funding for Metro Nashville General Hospital is important for many economic reasons.”
Seay-Hubbard United Methodist Church pastor Kennard Murray, conversing here with the Rev. Jay Voorhees, also is supporting financial aid for Metro General Hospital.
Reverend Jay Voorhees, Antioch United Methodist Church, summarized the clergy’s reasons for undertaking this effort. He said, “We have faith that many people will join us in this effort because we know this city and its people. We believe that:
. Nashville is a caring, compassionate community that wants to provide quality care to people in need in an accredited facility;
. Nashvillians want to help their neighbors when they lose their jobs and provide the assurance that you can receive acute care health services if needed;
. Nashville is doing a good job in providing primary care services in health clinics, but needs to continue to operate an acute care hospital to serve clinic patients; and
. The people of Nashville and its leaders will join us in working to secure federal funds for the continued operation of Metro Nashville General Hospital because it is the moral and right thing to do.”
For information about the Nashville clergy’s Declaration of Support, visit http://www.faithleadersforall/of us.com or call 481-9246.
Services to Community, Education for Physicians, and Jobs in Local Economy Are Threatened by Reductions in Local & State Funding
Nashville clergy have issued a united, city-wide call to action to secure federal aid for Metro Nashville General Hospital. Clergy members announced their effort on behalf of the hospital at a news conference on March 31. Among the people participating in the news conference were (left to right) Reverend Jerry Maynard II; Reverend Henry Blaze, Progressive Baptist Church; Reverend Judi Hoffman, Edgehill United Methodist Church; and Reverend Jay Voorhees, Antioch United Methodist Church. More than 70 Nashville clergy have already signed a declaration of support to secure federal funding for Metro Nashville General HospitalNashville, TN – Nashville clergy have announced a united, city-wide call to action to secure federal aid for Metro Nashville General Hospital as the hospital faces reductions in local and state funding that threaten the hospital’s unique role as a provider of medical care to thousands of Nashvillians and as an education partner with Meharry Medical College. During a news conference on March 31, Reverend Henry Blaze, Progressive Baptist Church, and Reverend Judi Hoffman, Edgehill United Methodist Church, said that more than 70 Nashville clergy have already signed a united declaration of support to seek and secure federal funding for Metro Nashville General Hospital. They urged Nashville citizens and community, business, civic, and health care leaders to join them in this effort.
Bishop Jerry Maynard, Cathedral of Praise, said, “Health care is a matter of justice and morality. We talk about Nashville being a great city. However, our city’s greatness must include access to healthcare for all of our people. If our city fails to provide this, Nashville falls short of greatness no matter how many businesses move here or how many tourists visit.”
“Metro Nashville General Hospital faces a financial crisis that threatens the city’s healthcare infrastructure. Because of the economy, Nashville has an increasing number of uninsured residents who need to know that their city has not forgotten them and their need for access to a hospital. Metro Nashville General Hospital is our city’s safety-net for acute care medical services,” said Rev. Blaze.
Metro Nashville General Hospital serves more than 30% of the uninsured patients in the city. The hospital incurred $70 million in expenses for uncompensated care in 2008, while receiving $34 million from Metropolitan Government as a subsidy for the indigent care services.
Rev. Judi Hoffman explained, “We know that the State of Tennessee and Metro Government of Nashville Davidson County face tough economic times. However, we believe that our city has a moral obligation to operate a fully accredited public safety net hospital to serve the health care needs of Nashvillians.”
Need for a Fully Accredited In-patient Facility
The clergy stressed that it is crucial that Metro Nashville General Hospital continue to operate as a fully accredited, in-patient facility.
“We can be proud of the network of primary care clinics that operate in our city. However, people who have acute illnesses need to receive care in a hospital. Without Metro General Nashville Hospital, there would be nowhere for them to go,” said Rev. Hoffman.
Rev. Hoffman also noted that without this accredited in-patient facility, the education of hundreds of Meharry medical and dental students is threatened because of the unique partnership between Metro Nashville General Hospital and Meharry Medical College.
The clergy stressed that the hospital’s funding crisis could have a long-term impact on the health of the nation because the training for thousands of future physicians could be curtailed. They noted that the Metro General – Meharry Medical College partnership is a unique national health care resource that is deserving of federal financial support.
United Methodist Minister Fred Cloud, seen here with Pastor Maurice Harris of the Hosea Community Church, is one of the United Methodist ministers speaking up for Metro General Hospital.Meharry Medical College is the largest private, comprehensive historically black institution for educating health professionals and scientists in the United States. Metro Nashville General Hospital serves as Meharry’s principal teaching facility. The Meharry-General Hospital partnership is part of the nation’s health education infrastructure.
Hospital’s Economic Impact
Freda Player, Change that Works Tennessee, spoke at a public rally following the March 31 news conference. Addressing more the 100 people who attended the rally, she pointed out that the hospital has an annual budget of $95 million and a payroll of over 700 employees.
“The hospital is a major employer in Nashville. In the current economic situation, where would 700 people find jobs in our city? Federal funding for Metro Nashville General Hospital is important for many economic reasons.”
Seay-Hubbard United Methodist Church pastor Kennard Murray, conversing here with the Rev. Jay Voorhees, also is supporting financial aid for Metro General Hospital.Reverend Jay Voorhees, Antioch United Methodist Church, summarized the clergy’s reasons for undertaking this effort. He said, “We have faith that many people will join us in this effort because we know this city and its people. We believe that:
. Nashville is a caring, compassionate community that wants to provide quality care to people in need in an accredited facility;
. Nashvillians want to help their neighbors when they lose their jobs and provide the assurance that you can receive acute care health services if needed;
. Nashville is doing a good job in providing primary care services in health clinics, but needs to continue to operate an acute care hospital to serve clinic patients; and
. The people of Nashville and its leaders will join us in working to secure federal funds for the continued operation of Metro Nashville General Hospital because it is the moral and right thing to do.”
For information about the Nashville clergy’s Declaration of Support, visit http://www.faithleadersforall/of us.com or call 481-9246.
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