“Health is harmony with self and others, the environment and with God - a continuum of physical, social, psychological and spiritual well-being”

“Health Ministry is the promotion of healing and health as wholeness and as a mission of a faith community to its members and the community it serves.”

Our current Health and Wellness Ministries include:

The Shawl Ministry - Contact person: Elizabeth Derbyshire

The Shawl Ministry got off to an enthusiastic start on September 6, 2006. Gatherings to knit and bless shawls are held on Sundays 11 am - 12 Noon in the Ladies' Parlor

In 2006, a group of women in the Church gathered weekly to knit shawls for those we know were meeting challenging times. We call this “intentional knitting” insofar as these garments are knitted with particular people in mind, and as we knit we hold these people in our hearts and prayers. It is our custom to bless each finished shawl before it is delivered to its recipient. So far we have knitted some fifty shawls. We celebrate good times as well as draw closer to those needing comfort and encouragement ? good times such as the birth of a child or grandchild, a marriage, a daughter going off to college. We meet after Sunday Service during the winter, also before the Healing Services the first Wednesday of every month at 4:30 pm. In the summer, we will meet regularly on the first Wednesday of every month at 4:30 pm. All are welcome ? if you would like to learn to knit, we have plenty of teachers!

All are welcome! Should you want to learn to knit...come also!

A Response Team - in case of a medical emergency during Worship

An AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) has been purchased by the church and 40 people received training in both CPR (Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation) and the use of the AED.

Services of Comfort and Healing - Contact Persons: Rev. DenUyl, Susan Chase

Services are held the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 - 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. This service is a time for quiet, readings, ritual and prayer. The sanctuary remains open until 7:00 pm for quiet meditation. We are accompanied by a Taize choir. Taize is a Benedictine community in France who create beautiful chants for healing known around the world. All are Welcome!

End of Life Issues - Contact Person Wendy Merriman

Information and resources regarding End of Life documents such as the “Five Wishes” are available from team members or quarterly after worship service during coffee hour. An informational booklet for individuals and families to think about planning ahead are also available.

Support and Information for Health and Wellness Issues - Richard DenUyl, Amy Edwards, Team

Parent/Grandparents – Looking for a way to have fun and bond with your children/grandchildren? Try the FREE Parent-Kidz Yoga Class. Wednesdays from 4:00 – 5:00 PM starting July 25^th in the Church Vestry. Taught by Amy Edwards, certified yoga instructor. Mats available. Wear comfortable clothing. Better not to eat for 1-2 hours before class.

Opening Dialogue with connection Health and Spirituality - Contact Sarah Whitehead

We are seeking to set up discussion series in September…

Reading List : Books suggested by Health and Wellness Team

Amy Edwards:
A New Earth: Awakening of Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness by Jerome Groopman
Peace is Every Step: The Path to Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Tich Nhat Hanh
On the Greif of Grieving by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler

Sue Chase:
Anything by Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, especially No Death, No Fear, Also, Flow, The Phychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Sarah Whitehead:
A Magus of Strovolos by Kyriakos Markides
Risking Everything Book of poetry edited by Robert Housden
The Gift of Life by Bonnie Glass Coffin
God Helps Those Who Help Themselves by Hannah Kroeger
The Gnostic Gospels by Ellain Pagels
A Year to Live by Stephanie Levine
Mind Beyond Death by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

Wendy Merriman:
Minding the Body, Mending the Mind by Joan Borysenko, PhD
Wisdom Distilled From the Daily by Joan Chittister, OSB
Natural Health Natural Healing by Andrew Weil, MD
Psalms for Praying, An Invitation to Wholeness by Nan C. Merrill

Current Health Team Members

To contact a member of the Health and Wellness Ministry, Please call Dawn or Elaine in the church office 401-635-8472 and they will contact us.

The Health and Wellness Health Team was formed in November of 2005 and is accountable to the Board of Deacons

*Resolution: Reclaiming the Church's Ministry of Health and Healing. Passed UCG General Synod 1997, RI Conference UCC 1989