The goal of Health Ministry is to help all Presbyterians become as healthy as possible, mentally, spiritually, and physically. The ministry
can include both clergy and congregations and can extend to neighborhood support. It is increasingly important that churches pay attention to the health needs of their members because our current health care system is in turmoil, and many people do not get the care they need, particularly in preventing illness and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, addiction, arthritis. The Presbyterian Health Network has recently completed a survey of the Presbyterian Panel, which includes clergy and elders in Presbyterian congregations, and we hope to be able to share the results with the Presbytery by the end of the year. The results are expected to demonstrate a real need in this area. The health ministry team is giving particular thought to the needs of the clergy with systemwide support in such areas as stress
and weight management. There is also much that congregations can do to support their administrative staffs and each other. Most approaches are not expensive, so any church can embark on its own health ministries plan. If you are interested in talking with a Health Ministry team member for some ideas or to share your own, please
contact Jane Givens from Kalamazoo First Pres. Her e-mail address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and office number is 269-344-0119.

Parish Nursing -

add anyone interested in beginning a parish nurse/health ministry can contact Beth Gordon at 616-977-3154 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

The Spirit of Healing

is an 11-minute DVD that is designed to help church members and clergy understand the parish nurse role.  It tells the stories of various parish nurses in their own churches and explains the diversity of the parish nurse position.  If your church is considering a health ministry or would just like to have a better understanding of parish nursing, please consider viewing The Spirit of Healing.  This was a DVD that we tried to view without success at the November presbytery meeting.  Contact the Presbytery office to borrow this DVD, #660.1400, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If anyone is interested in beginning a parish nurse/health ministry you may contact Beth Gordon at 616-977-3154 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    to find out about more about this ministry and the next class beginning in late September.

Health & Wellness: What Your Faith Community Can Do

The Shepherding Ministry Team has purchased three books for the resource center on the topic of health ministries.  In addition we are hoping to facilitate a discussion on one of these books.   “Health & Wellness: What Your Faith Community Can Do” by Jill Westberg McNamara is a 91 page book which discusses the importance of faith on our health and the part the faith community can play in our health and wellness. Through research and personal experience the author explores how a church can address the needs of the many people in our society who have chronic pain or illness.  A copy of this book will be made available to any church that indicates they have someone who would be interested in taking part in an online discussion group.  The purpose of this is to increase knowledge about this field of ministry and to help develop a network amongst those interested in health ministries.  Email Paul Tomlinson,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  to order a complimentary copy of this book if you have someone interested in taking part in the online discussion.