Encouraging all settings of the UCC to recognize worldwide health concerns and the work of health and human-service ministries to address those concerns, the church will observe Health and Human Service Sunday on Jan. 29.

"We celebrate Health and Human Service Sunday to raise awareness of the opportunities to serve and to point to inspiring examples of service that are changing lives in our world today," said the Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer, executive for health and wholeness advocacy for UCC Wider Church Ministries.

This year's theme, "Legacies of Compassion and Human Service," encourages church members to remember they are all called to engage in diakonal ministry.

The annual Health and Human Service Sunday offers congregations an opportunity to talk about health in a holistic way, address issues of injustice in the health-care system and provide the resources necessary to educate and motivate people to act.

For the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, it is a reminder of mission.

"Each year the observance of Health and Human Service Sunday reminds CHHSM ministries and the wider church that we are inextricably bound together in mission for the common good," said the Rev. William Johnson, CHHSM vice president.

For many UCC congregations, the day underscores the work of CHHSM ministries and the opportunities they present to churches.

"CHHSM is a unique blessing to all of us in the UCC," said the Rev. Laura Lee Kent, senior pastor of First Congregational Church in Ithaca, N.Y. "In this time of rampant disconnection and isolation, CHHSM is a reminder that the UCC is much more than a group of congregations. In this time of the longing of local churches to be directly engaged in local mission, our CHHSM partners stand ready to offer resources and opportunities to serve."

Resources for Health and Human Service Sunday are available on the UCC website. Materials include stories of compassion and human service, many of which feature CHHSM member ministries. The site also includes a litany for diakonal ministry and two reflections – one by the Rev. Fred Trost, theologian and conference minister emeritus of the UCC Wisconsin Conference; and one by the Rev. Alan Johnson, chair of the UCC Mental Health Network.

Health-care resources are listed on the site include a guide to health-care reform, General Synod resolutions and helpful health facts. Details on health-related legislative issues and congregational health ministries are also provided.

Schuenemeyer said he hopes the resources will inspire people to become involved in health-care ministry.

"I hope that people will discover new ways to invest their time and resources in activities and agencies that transform the lives of people with the power of love, compassion and care," said Schuenemeyer. "And I hope the Spirit will work creatively among us so that we may more fully access our capacity to reach out and be of service to others wherever God places us."

Lectionary and service resources are online at <ucc.org/health/hhs-sunday.html>.