matt ellis's EntriesPosted Oct 5 2009 10:33 AM by Matt Ellis
One of the things we try to do at NEHM is to broaden the definition of health ministry. Let's not think of health ministry as only parish nursing, but instead, what does it really mean to embrace wellness and health in a larger context?
For many, their lives are enriched and made more full by the presence of their companions. These companions are often described as unconditionally loving, grateful, good listeners, and ...slobbery? While many significant others would object to the last part of that description (and hope they lived up to the first part), the pets being spoken of would not object.
This is the time of year when many Episcopal congregations formally welcome their less verbal friends to worship for a special blessing. Fish, camels, tortoises, reindeer, and ponies, among others, all received blessings recently. In at least one community, some believe their pets actually seem to behave a little better after the blessing!
As you consider new directions for your own health ministry, don't forget to be creative in addressing your community's needs. A pet blessing can be a wonderful way to be sure every member of the family is included in worship.
Posted Sep 25 2009 4:41 PM by Matt Ellis
A new H1N1 Flu Guide for Community and Faith-Based Organizations has been released by the Department of Health and Human Services. There's a lot of good information here, although it seems more geared to community organizations than churches.
The Episcopal Church Medical Trust has also released a recent statement on H1N1 and we've placed links to other H1N1 resources more prominently on our own disaster preparedness page.
Whatever you do, don't wait until after it hits to start planning your response to the pandemic flu. How will your church cope if 'social distancing' mandates become necessary?
Will you make sermons available via podcast? Utilize electronic newsletters to increase communication? Have a phone tree system to check on members and communicate information? If one or more of your ministries experience a sudden increase in demand, how will you manage these requests? Posted Aug 24 2009 9:56 AM by Matt Ellis
Health Care Coverage For All: Discussion Guide For Churches is a free resource provided by the Bioethics Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee. It's an excellent resource and a great way to engage your congregation in the health care debate in a productive, Christ-centered way.
The resource is divided into three sessions:
1. Why health policy is a Christian concern 2. Personal Encounters with the health care system 3. What we can/should do
Included in the guide are links to resources, relevant scripture readings, and more. Posted Aug 14 2009 9:28 AM by Matt Ellis
Many of you may already receive the Health & Wellness newsletter from our friends at the Medical Trust. If not, I encourage you to check out this month's tips for maintaining your medicine cabinet. The newsletter can be found online here.
Posted Aug 10 2009 12:59 PM by Matt Ellis The Washington Post's blog on faith today revealed details of a faith-based call-in on health care reform. President Obama will participate in this call sponsored by several religious organizations, including The Episcopal Church.
As noted in the blog Episcopal Chaplain at the Bedside, General Convention Resolution CO71 calls for all members of the Episcopal church to contact elected federal, state and territorial officials encouraging them to:
a) create, with the assistance of experts in related fields, a comprehensive definition of "basic healthcare" to which our nation's citizens have a right,
b) establish a system to provide basic healthcare to all,
c) create an oversight mechanism, separate from the immediate political arena, to audit the delivery of that "basic healthcare,"
d) educate our citizens in the need for limitations on what each person can be expected to receive in the way of medical care under a universal coverage program in order to make the program sustainable financially,
e) educate our citizens in the role of personal responsibility in promoting good health.
President Obama will be listening on August 19. Let's be sure our voices are heard!
Details will be forthcoming from http://faithforhealth.org/.
Posted Aug 5 2009 10:47 AM by Matt Ellis
In all the excitement around General Convention preparation and events, I've been unable to find time to provide an update about an exciting new project: The Anglican Health Network. The first informal meeting of this group took place in Houston in January. That meeting produced the background paper found here.
A follow-up meeting then took place in Geneva, Switzerland in June. I was honored to participate as a voice for parish-based health and healing ministries. I find this working group to be wonderfully engaged in the work and creative in finding solutions. Lee Hogan and Paul Holley have been very proactive conveners of this group and presented us with an exciting opportunity that has the potential to dramatically impact the lives of millions: a microinsurance project to be based principally in Africa.
Microinsurance is based on the principles of microlending or microfinance. As it pertains to insurance, if one provides health insurance that covers only the four or five primary needs, it's then feasible to cover large numbers of people for very little cost. For instance, in Africa coverage might be provided for treatment of malaria, HIV/AIDS, prenatal care/childbirth, and vaccines. It's possible this coverage could be provided to a family for as little as $12-15/year.
A lot of details and conditions have to be met for this to happen, but the members of the Anglican Health Network (AHN) believe it's possible. We're still in the very early planning stages, but it's an exciting project to be sure.
Other goals of the AHN include providing a forum for members to share ideas and resources, as well as a mechanism for hospitals to share outdated yet perfectly functional equipment with developing countries.
These are ambitious projects and I'm honored to be able to participate in this work as a representative of NEHM. I'll continue to keep you updated as we make progress. The background paper linked in the first paragraph has a lot of information about the various players and goals of this network, but if there are further questions please feel free to contact me.
Posted Aug 3 2009 3:58 PM by Matt Ellis
If you'd like to see pictures of NEHM's General Convention booth, please see the link to our Facebook page. This year, NEHM again shared a booth with the Medical Trust. The booth featured massage therapists and giveaways of green 'Well to Serve' bracelets, as well as sunscreen. The booth also offered free water and plush couches to allow GC attendees a few moments of downtime during a hectic couple of weeks.
If you're not already a fan of our Facebook page, you can visit the page at this link: NEHM Facebook. It's my understanding you do not need a Facebook account to see this page.
What will you find on this page? Pictures of our General Convention booth are here, as well as links to stories about health ministries taking place around the country. There's also the opportunity to participate in the conversation and share information about your own ministry. Check it out and become a NEHM fan!
Posted Aug 3 2009 3:00 PM by Matt Ellis
This was my first experience with General Convention. Those who said you really just have to see it to believe it were definitely right! Even though many had tried to explain it to me, I had a hard time envisioning it. Once there, it all clicked into place.
While I had hoped to have some time to settle in and get a feel for the process, it was not to be. AO77, put forth by the Standing Commission on Health, came up the very first night for committee. We were able to quickly round up Diana Marshall (NEHM Diocesan Liaison from Diocese of Bethlehem, PA) and Susan Spencer (parish nurse in San Francisco) to testify in addition to my own testimony. The process was straightforward and the questions were direct. We all left feeling good about the session and hoped for a positive result.
In the meantime, I sprinted across the street to other committee hearings to testify on behalf of a few National Episcopal AIDS Coalition (NEAC) resolutions. Those, too seemed to go well. This was pretty typical for the first week, as I stayed very busy moving between both booths (I also serve as Executive Director of NEAC), testifying in committee hearings, tracking legislation, and meeting with potential partners.
I'm thrilled to say that AO77 was approved! Here is the text of the approved resolution:
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention urges the congregations of The Episcopal Church, which have not already done so, to explore and implement health ministry as an organizing concept or vital component of outreach and pastoral care of the congregations by 2012; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention encourages congregations to raise awareness of health ministries and promote the understanding that health includes body, mind and spirit.
EXPLANATION
Health ministries play a unique and critical role in facilitating the overall health of clergy, staff and congregation. Health ministry looks different from congregation to congregation, reflecting the unique needs, interests and resources of the faith community.
National Episcopal Health Ministries (NEHM) educates leaders for Episcopal health ministry and parish nursing, supports those engaged in health ministry in Episcopal congregations and provides resources to local congregations, dioceses and provinces. NEHM is a valuable resource for those seeking assistance in the development of faith ministries. Posted May 6 2009 8:58 AM by Matt Ellis
Please do not forget to check out NEHM's Disaster Preparedness page here.
The Episcopal Church has issued the following statement concerning the current swine flu outbreak.
The Episcopal Church recommends that its dioceses actively review the most current information about swine flu in order to make decisions based on local practices and safety concerns in our church communities. Episcopal Relief & Development is closely monitoring the needs related to swine flu by remaining in regular contact with public health officials and authorities on both national and local levels. Episcopal Relief & Development is also reaching out to potential collaborative responders through the network of agencies affiliated with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters. In addition, extensive information about preparing for the swine flu and other potential pandemic influenza outbreaks is available to our dioceses and all faith communities on the Episcopal Relief & Development’s web site www.er-d.org. This site links to strong examples of pandemic preparedness plans and offers resources that can help people to provide for congregational gathering needs should an outbreak occur. In anxious times, the Episcopal Church remains a welcoming presence and offers comfort to all.
Posted Mar 30 2009 9:57 AM by Matt Ellis
I really like this article. This sums up so much about the impact I believe health ministries can have on a congregation, not only increasing physical health, but spiritual as well. A great read!
“We have three services, one at 8 a.m. on Sunday, one at 10:30 and one at 6 p.m., and some of the people from different congregations don’t know each other very well,” says Father Paul McClain, curate at Trinity Episcopal, 1011 Vt. “So it’s been a wonderful opportunity to do that. For many of these congregates, the first time they met was shaking hands before Pump ‘N’ Pray.”
Posted Mar 26 2009 3:05 PM by Matt Ellis
One of the things I hope to be able to do in this blog is to highlight stories of health ministry in the Episcopal Church. Here is a terrific story about a new health clinic supported in part by the The Parish Church of St. Helena in Beaufort, SC.
"The credit really goes to the Lord," said the Rev. Jeffrey Miller of St. Helena's Episcopal Church, whose parishioners have been among the most active supporters of the clinic.
The nonprofit, faith-based clinic provides primary and preventive health care at no cost to residents of Beaufort County who have limited income and cannot afford or cannot qualify for health insurance or Medicaid.
Estimates place the uninsured in Beaufort County at 20 percent to 25 percent of the population.
The clinic's services include family medical practice, internal medicine and prescription assistance. The clinic's physicians, physician assistants and nurses all are volunteers. Its medical providers are licensed by the state. Its doors at 1402 King St. will open to medical patients April 1.
http://www.beaufortgazette.com/180/story/741872.html#none
Posted Mar 20 2009 3:42 PM by Matt Ellis
This is a terrific segment from NPR's 'All Things Considered' about a local community sharing fellowship and helping each other to get more healthy:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102048542&ps=cprs With only one grocery store in town, it's hard to cheat. And both the owners and the clerks at The Mercantile count calories for customers.
Co-owner Betty McNeil says some cash-register conversations go like this: "Two hundred thirty calories in that cupcake. Do you know what you're doing? Do you really want that?" she says, laughing. Then she notes that townspeople have to leave town to cheat. "It's 20 miles to the next Twinkie," she adds, laughing again.
"The Merc," as the locals call it, also aims for positive reinforcement with more fruit, vegetables and yogurt in its coolers. Demand for the good stuff has skyrocketed. And there are the signs in the storefront window charting the town's thinning waistlines. Many thanks to the Rev. Barbara Thrall of St. Paul's in Holyoke, MA for letting me know about this inspiring story!
Posted Mar 19 2009 1:27 PM by Matt Ellis
If you want to do something special to celebrate "Brain Awareness Week” take the Brain Wiz Quiz at: www.brainwealth.org
Brain Awareness Week is March 16-22, 2009 and is sponsored by the Dana Alliance (www.dana.org), a non-profit group of 240 neuroscientists. This international campaign was launched in 1996, and is designed to promote the public's brain literacy amidst the avalanche of good news from researchers about the brain's ability to change and grow at any age.
Don't miss Phyllis Strupp's workshops on brain fitness at NEHM's conference in Omaha, April 16-18!
Posted Mar 9 2009 1:54 PM by Matt Ellis
I Am Episcopalian is an interesting new site where Episcopalians can upload a short video with their thoughts on the Episcopal church, what it means to them, and why they worship here.
Have you contributed your video?
Posted Mar 3 2009 3:57 PM by Matt Ellis
Lifehack.org offers some thoughts on thinking differently:
In 1954 the British Government held an auction for commercial television regions. Many companies were interested in bidding for the franchises. They analysed the demographics of the regions to identify which were the wealthiest regions that would produce the most advertising revenues. The result was that they focused on London and the South-East of England. Sydney Bernstein was Managing Director of a small chain of cinemas, Granada Cinemas. He wanted to compete in the auction. He told his people, ‘Don’t look for the richest region, look for the wettest. Find me the region with highest rainfall.’ This turned out to be the North-West of England. Granada bid for this and won it. Bernstein’s idea was that it was better to have a region where it rained so much that people stayed in and watched TV. He succeeded by approaching the problem from a different point of view. He thought what no-one else thought.
...How can we force ourselves to take a different view of a situation? Instead of looking at the scene from your view try looking at it from the perspective of a customer, a product, a supplier, a child, an alien, a lunatic, a comedian, a dictator, an anarchist, an architect, Salvador Dali, Leonardo da Vinci and so on. Challenge all the common assumptions. If everyone else is looking for the richest region, look for the wettest. If everyone else is facing the bar then turn your back on it.
I've been thinking about this in terms of ministry. What would we do differently if we approached our ministry entirely from the point of view of someone who needs a ride to the doctor? Someone without health insurance? Someone with limited mobility?
While it's true we often consider these needs, I think this goes one step further. What if we designed a program only from their point of view, without any other considerations? Would we do things the same? Are there ways we can incorporate these ideas into our existing programs? Think different! Who knows what will come of it?
Posted Feb 25 2009 11:06 AM by Matt Ellis
In the Small Membership Churches blog, Bob Honeychurch states:
Vital communities of faith are asking themselves, “How do we offer the ‘faith once delivered’ in a way that will make a difference in the lives of those around us?” The question needs to be asked in churches of all sizes, in all locations, and of every theological or ecclesiological bent. Those who ask the question – and then are willing to embrace the reality of the answer – are those who will make a difference in the days to come.
While his post is asks churches to re-examine their goals for membership size, the question intrigues me in the context of faith and health. How do we use our faith to make a difference in the lives of those around us?
I believe one way we can answer that question is to address the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of our faith communities. Can you ease the loneliness of an elderly parishioner and provide them a valuable service by helping them get to a doctor's appointment? Can you form a support group for those who have lost their job?
How can your health ministry identify the needs of your congregation or community and rise to meet these challenges? How do you offer the 'faith once delivered' in a way that will make a difference in the lives of those around you?
Posted Jan 21 2009 10:42 AM by Matt Ellis Take women’s health to heart on National Wear Red Day—Friday, February 6, 2009—a day when Americans nationwide wear red to show their support for women's heart disease awareness. The Red Dress is the centerpiece of The Heart Truth—a campaign that urges women take heart disease seriously, know their risk, and act to protect their heart health. Show your support by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, or tie, or Red Dress Pin.
Order your materials now so you can be prepared for National Wear Red Day 2009 on February 6th. Posted Dec 10 2008 10:18 AM by Matt Ellis
The NY Times has a column by a pediatrician discussing what to do when a middle schooler tells you something he doesn't want shared with parents. It is likely that this will come up at some point in your ministry, and so it is important that you are prepared in advance for how to handle it. This column provides an opportunity for your wellness team to discuss the issue in advance so that you will know what to do when it happens.
And he was horrified. He shook his head vehemently and asked me please not to interfere, and above all not to say a word to his mother, who was out in the waiting room because I had asked her to give us some privacy.
He wouldn’t have told me this at all, he said, except he thought our conversation was private. The situation at school wasn’t all that bad; he could handle it. He wasn’t in any danger, wasn’t getting hurt, he was just a little lonely. His parents, he said, thought that he was fine, that he had lots of friends, and he wanted to keep it that way.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/health/09klas.html Posted Dec 8 2008 2:50 PM by Matt Ellis
I am pleased to announce that National Episcopal Health Ministries is now a proud sponsor of CaringBridge, a nonprofit service that provides free websites to patients and families when someone is facing a serious medical condition, treatment or recovery. Please let your patients and their families know that CaringBridge is a free service offered by National Episcopal Health Ministries.
Why?
The CaringBridge service enhances our faith-family support system. CaringBridge simplifies communication and reduces stress for patients and caregivers by providing a centralized location for posting updates, as well as a place for friends and family to send messages of love and support.
This means family, friends and staff can spend less time fielding phone calls and more time focusing on the patient - and since all of the content on a CaringBridge website is created and posted by the patient or family member, there are no HIPPA restrictions or regulations on that content.
How does it work?
A CaringBridge website can be created by visiting www.caringbridge.org/episcopalhealthministries. By following a few simple steps, a personalized website complete with privacy options can be started in just minutes. The author introduces the reason for the CaringBridge site in “My Story” and provides ongoing updates through entries in the “Journal.” After receiving an e-mail confirmation of the active site, authors can forward their unique and private CaringBridge website name and address to family and friends. Friends and family members can receive automatic updates when journal entries have been made, and can leave messages of love, support and encouragement in the “Guestbook.”
Who is it for?
CaringBridge can and should be recommended to patients and families in all types of medical situations including cancer, premature birth, organ transplant, extended hospitalization, hospice care, war injury, stroke, rehabilitation and more.
If you would like materials sent directly to you. Please contact Kathy Tomlinson at 651.789.2304 or mailto:ktomlinson@caringbridge.org. She will get materials out to you immediately, which could include brochures, fact sheet, DVD and more. Please recommend CaringBridge to anyone who could benefit from the service.
Posted Dec 8 2008 2:05 PM by Matt Ellis Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued the following message for Christmas 2008.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:5).
The world settles into winter, at least in the northern hemisphere, and life to many seems increasingly bleak. Foreclosures, layoffs, government bailouts and financial failures, continuing war on two fronts, terrorist attacks, murders of some identified only by their faith -- this world is in abundant need of light. We know light that is not overcome by darkness, for God has come among us in human flesh. Born in poverty to a homeless couple, to a people long under occupation, Jesus is human and divine evidence that God is with us in the midst of the world's darkness. Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, Divine Counselor is come among us to re-mind, re-member, and re-create. A new mind and heart is birthed in us as we turn to follow Jesus on the way. The body of God's creation is re-membered and put back together in ways intended from the beginning. And a new creation becomes reality through Jesus' healing work. Christians tell the story again each Christmastide, and the telling and remembering invites us once again into being made whole. Our task in every year is to hear the story with new ears, and seeing light in the darkness of this season's woes, then to tell it abroad with gladsome hearts to those who wait in darkness. Where will you share the joyous tale of light in the darkness?
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori Presiding Bishop The Episcopal Church http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_103508_ENG_HTM.htm Posted Dec 1 2008 11:05 AM by Matt Ellis
Today is World AIDS Day. The Presiding Bishop has issued a letter encouraging Episcopalians 'to remember, pray, and work together to alleviate the suffering inflicted' by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. She also commends the work of National Episcopal AIDS Coalition, which has a new online quiz where you can test your knowledge about various aspects of the AIDS pandemic. Read more about the online quiz here.
More people are living with AIDS now than ever. The Centers for Disease Control reports that HIV prevalence increased by approximately 112,000 (or 11%) from 2003 to 2006 (from 994,000 to 1,106,400 total persons). This is in part due to the fact that individuals are living with HIV longer now. The CDC also reports one in five people infected with HIV are unaware they have the virus.
Today is an excellent time to think about what we as individuals and as a church are doing to address AIDS awareness and minister to those afflicted with HIV/AIDS. In the coming year, you'll see NEHM working closely with NEAC to bring renewed focus to this critically important issue. Please read the Presiding Bishop's letter. Visit NEAC's website (www.neac.org) and take the quiz there. Share what you learn with others. Develop a plan to address HIV/AIDS in your parish or community. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those dealing with HIV/AIDS. Posted Oct 23 2008 3:09 PM by Matt Ellis
NEHM is co-sponsoring an Advent gathering for health ministry with All Saints Catholic Church in Atlanta, GA. This event, entitled "Looking Forward As We Wait For The Light", will take place December 11, 2008 in Atlanta, GA at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The keynote presentation will be delivered by Sharon Stanton, President of the Health Ministries Association.
Additional information, including registration and cost, can be found here. We hope you'll join us for this important event that will also spotlight programs that are working for others! Posted Sep 15 2008 1:07 PM by Matt Ellis
The NY Times has a new 'Well' section focused primarily on all aspects of parenting and raising children. A large variety of topics ensures this resource will be helpful to many families. Included in the section are articles such as:
The general directory to the section can be found here.
Posted Sep 8 2008 12:28 PM by Matt Ellis Don't miss NEHM's ad for 'Seasons of Health Ministry' on page 14 of the September 14 Parish Administration edition of The Living Church! Posted Aug 27 2008 2:14 PM by Matt Ellis Continuing our expansion of NEHM's presence on social networking sites, NEHM now has a group on LinkedIn. You can find NEHM's group page at http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/731667. Also, be sure to connect to LinkedIn Episcopalians to further enhance your networking with other Episcopalians! Posted Aug 25 2008 1:45 PM by Matt Ellis NEHM now has its very own group on Facebook. If you have a Facebook profile and would like to connect to us, simply search for NEHM. This will provide you access to the pages of both NEHM's organization page, as well as the Facebook profile of Executive Director Matthew Ellis. We hope you'll link to us and help us make use of this terrific resource! Posted Aug 19 2008 1:04 PM by Matt Ellis
National Commemorative Candle Lighting is a nationwide event sponsored by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America to remember and honor Americans who have been or will be affected by Alzheimer's disease or related illnesses.
Local organizations hold inspirational ceremonies in their communities on the same day, uniting individuals from coast to coast as they light "candles of care."
National Commemorative Candle Lighting is an annual event, held each November in recognition of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.
Sign up to host a candle lighting at your site. Learn more at www.candlelighting.org. Posted Aug 18 2008 1:38 PM by Matt Ellis
Most people have heard of the 'Freshman 15', the tendency for college freshmen to add weight over the course of their first year away from home. A recent Duke University study highlights some possible causes and includes a plan for helping new students keep their weight under control:
Irresponsible eating, lack of exercise and alcohol consumption are among the factors that contribute to the Freshman 15, which refers to the extra pounds packed on by many new college students, according to a Duke University expert.
Many freshmen don't know how to select or make healthy meals, and stress from heavy class loads and the struggle to achieve good grades can make them eat food at the wrong time, said Elisabetta Politi, nutrition director at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center. Processed convenience foods are an easy option when students are up late cramming for tests or finishing papers. http://healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?Docid=617962 Posted Aug 14 2008 3:08 PM by Matt Ellis
NEHM is very excited to announce that our 2009 Jean Denton Keynote Address will be given by The Right Rev. Mark L. MacDonald. He is a wonderful speaker and I'm thrilled that he will be joining us at our conference.
We're working hard to improve on the successes from 2008's conference. I hope you'll join us (and Bishop MacDonald) April 16-18, 2009 in Omaha, NE for next year's Seasons of Health Ministry conference. In the meantime, here's a short video of Bishop MacDonald:
Posted Aug 6 2008 2:32 PM by Matt Ellis
From the New York Times:
The push-up is the ultimate barometer of fitness. It tests the whole body, engaging muscle groups in the arms, chest, abdomen, hips and legs. It requires the body to be taut like a plank with toes and palms on the floor. The act of lifting and lowering one’s entire weight is taxing even for the very fit...
Push-ups are important for older people, too. The ability to do them more than once and with proper form is an important indicator of the capacity to withstand the rigors of aging...
Interested in building up your strength using push-ups? You can find a push-up program on the site below designed to gradually increase your strength over 6-8 weeks. Of course, please consult your doctor prior to beginning any exercise program.
Posted Jul 25 2008 2:54 PM by Matt Ellis St. Anna's, in cooperation with the New Orleans Police Department and many others, are looking for new or lightly used musical instruments for Horns for Guns, an upcoming gun buyback program that could take up to 300 guns off of New Orleans’ streets. The goal of Horns for Guns is to reduce violence in the city, and to provide a creative, constructive, and life giving outlet to the city’s youth by trading guns for musical instruments, musical training, and opportunities for counseling.
The deadline for donations is September 3, 2008. Please bring or ship your new or lightly used instruments (brass, stringed all will be accepted, as well as monetary donations for purchasing instruments, graphic arts supplies, etc.!) to:
St. Anna's Episcopal Church 1313 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116
For additional information, or to get involved with the program by volunteering, please call (504) 947-2121. You may also find additional information here. Posted Jun 20 2008 9:25 PM by Matt Ellis
More than 100 parishioners of St. Timothy, Signal Mountain, “walked” to New Orleans as a Lenten discipline. Participants accumulated mileage during their “Walk to the Church of the Annunciation” by striding on roads and treadmills, running, swimming, riding bicycles and using a rowing machine. During the 40 days of Lent they accumulated 2,697.5 miles, the equivalent of making the 490-mile trip nearly three times. ETE-WalktoAnnunciation.pdf Posted Jun 20 2008 3:32 PM by Matt Ellis In this space, we'll post updates about health news, program ideas, and member updates. If you have an idea or suggestion for this space, please respond in the comments or send an email to Matthew Ellis at mellis@stpaulsindy.org.
|
|
Archive  Subscribe
|