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.
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