Mind, Body, Spirit: Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness
The Wellness Ministries of the UCC Newsletter
(formerly The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter)

January-February 2020, Vol. 5 Issue 1

REFLECTION:

Arise, shine, for the Light of the World has come!  Alleluia! 
We are travelers on life’s journey.
Our lives are filled with turning points,
cycles of change and crisis and transformation. 
The old passes into ever new beginnings. 
We grow, we stand still, we grow again.  

May we invite the fresh light of Epiphany to flood us with hope and lead us into new and challenging ways of living and shaping our wellness ministries. 

HEALTH PROGRAMMING AND OBSERVATION DATES IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY:

JANUARY:

Glaucoma Awareness Month:

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness.  Glaucoma has been called "the sneak thief of sight" since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it's permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.  Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease.

You are considered at high-risk for glaucoma if one or more of these applies to you:

• You have diabetes
• You have a family history of glaucoma
• You are African American and age 50 or older
• You are Hispanic and age 65 or older

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers glaucoma tests once every 12 months if you meet the high-risk criteria for glaucoma. You are responsible for 20% of Medicare’s payment to the provider for the services or, if care is sought in a hospital outpatient setting, a standard copayment.

Free information about types of glaucoma, diagnosis, and treatment can be found at https://www.preventblindness.org/glaucoma

Self-help tools and resource links to low vision organizations, services and websites can be found at the Living Well with Low Vision webpage of Prevent Blindness:   https://lowvision.preventblindness.org/    

Cervical Health Awareness Month

The United States Congress designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. Nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening (Pap and HPV tests). 
https://www.nccc-online.org/hpvcervical-cancer/cervical-health-awareness-month/

Free and low-cost Pap testing can be located for each state at this link:
https://www.nccc-online.org/resources/freelow-cost-pap-testing/?platform=hootsuite

A bulletin board fact sheet on Ten Things to Know About HPV and Cervical Cancer can be downloaded from this link:
https://www.nccc-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/10ThingsHPV_CCAM-1.pdf

FEBRUARY:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Awareness Month:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): AMD is very common. It is a leading cause of vision loss in people 50 years or older.   About 80% (8 out of 10) of people who have AMD have the dry form. With dry AMD parts of the macula get thinner with age and tiny clumps of protein called drusen grow causing slow loss of central vision.  There is no way to treat dry AMD yet.

Wet AMD is the other form of AMD.  In this form, new, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These vessels may leak blood or other fluids, causing scarring of the macula. Vision loss is faster with wet AMD than with dry AMD.

Many people don’t realize they have AMD until their vision is very blurry. This is why it is important to have regular visits to an ophthalmologist who can look for early signs of AMD.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology provides information on diagnosis and treatment options. 
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-treatment

The National Eye Institute at the Institutes of Health site includes videos, posters, pamphlets and download/print resources:
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration

In addition to AMD, low vision can be associated with diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, and retinitis pigmentosa.  The Vision Center has a resource with helpful tips related to living with low vision including causes of low vision, low vision terms, low vision care, and low vision devices.
http://whatislowvision.org/low-vision-care/tips-for-coping-with-low-vision/

February is American Heart Month:   There are multiple approaches wellness ministries can include in educational programs and individual health coaching. 

1. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is launching #OurHearts, a national initiative to encourage and motivate everyone to adopt heart healthy behaviors together. People are more successful at meeting health goals when they join forces with others. NHLBI have developed weekly themes with outreach toolkit, social media resources and state based infocards to help promote heart health throughout the month.
2. You are invited to Join NHLBI, The Heart Truth, and organizations around the country on National Wear Red Day which is celebrated each year on the first Friday in February. In 2020, National Wear Red Day will be celebrated on February 7.    Since 2004, February also has been the signature month for the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign and the message that heart disease is not only a man's problem.  https://www.goredforwomen.org/
   
   Wellness ministries leaders can invite parishioners to wear red hats, ties, scarves, sweaters, etc. on Sunday, February 9^th to promote awareness of heart disease.  Posters, and social media example phrases for wear red activities can be found at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-month/wear-red-day
   
   
3. The American Heart Association’s website provides educational materials on many aspects of cardiovascular disease in the Health Topics section. The Healthy Living section of the website includes topics related to Healthy Eating, Healthy Lifestyle, and Fitness.   https://www.heart.org
   
   
4. February is a good time to offer blood pressure screening. Proper technique in measuring blood pressure is critical.  The American Medical Association has developed a poster which can be posted at your locations when doing blood pressure assessment.  This infographic for in-office BP measuring offers a simple way to get the most accurate results.   This article: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/hypertension/one-graphic-you-need-accurate-blood-pressure-reading   offers some additional resources to help you improve your practice’s hypertension management: 

• Read the three questions you should ask patients when measuring their blood pressure. 
• See how you can help patients outside of office visits with self-measured BP monitoring. 
• Understand what the barriers to hypertension control are and how to address them.  
• Know these five things from the 2017 hypertension guideline. 
  
  Faith Community Nurses also educate people on proper technique for home blood pressure monitoring.  Tracking trends over time is valuable information that can be shared at each health provider visit.  The Health Quality Innovators (HQI), the Medicare Quality Innovation Net-work-Quality Improvement Organization for Maryland and Virginia, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed a poster, 7 Simple Tips to Get An Accurate Blood Pressure Reading at Home.  This poster can be downloaded, printed and shared with those you are teaching to do self-assessment of the blood pressure.  https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/evidencenow/heart-health/blood-pressure-home-measure.pdf

National Children's Dental Health Month:  

The American Dental Association has developed the February 2020 National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) Program Planning Guide.  This year’s NCDHM campaign slogan, “Fluoride in water prevents cavities! Get it from the tap!”   The link for the Planning Guide is ADA.org/ncdhm.

The planning guide offers Ideas for Easy-to-Do Activities such as coloring contests, dental health essay contests, classroom presentations, oral health bulletin boards, reaching out to community groups, parents and teens, participating in health fairs and dental screenings in collaboration with dental associations and clinics. 

Fun Activity Sheets for Kids in English and Spanish include crossword puzzles, calendar activities, coloring sheet, and a maze activity sheet. They are available at:

https://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month

INTRODUCING A NEW SECTION OF THE NEWSLETTER:

“WELLNESS MINISTRIES MOMENT”

A new section added to this issue will become a regular part of each newsletter.   The plan is to share examples of health-promotion activities and tips that may be useful additions to wellness ministries and faith community nursing approaches.  It will include topics related to wellness across the lifespan.  The editors will start this issue’s topic and we hope that readers will submit ideas they have used to include in this sharing space. 

Here’s this month’s Wellness ministries MOMENT . . .

To Your Health!

A Wellness Ministries at a UCC congregation uses the phrase, “To Your Health” for a combination of offerings on a monthly health topic.  The monthly discussion session is scheduled for the first Sunday of the month from 12:10 pm -12:45 pm.  Light, healthy snacks are provided.  The topic is discussed in a presentation / question and answer format.  Parishioners are asked at each session to suggest future topics.  The topic also is focused on that month’s bulletin board display over the remaining three weeks of the month.  The faith community nurse writes a short To Your Health! column for the faith community’s newsletter with key points about the topic.

As an example, one month the featured  topic was “Unraveling the Mysteries of Sleep”.  The discussion, bulletin board display, and newsletter article included myths and facts about sleep, benefits of sleep, effects of sleep deprivation, sleep patterns in the elderly, helpful sleep hygiene tips, and links to online resources. 

WE INVITE YOU TO SHARE AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO WELLNESS MINISTRIES.  SEND US A NOTE DESCRIBING YOUR WELLNESS MINISTRIES MOMENT AND WATCH FOR IT IN A FUTURE ISSUE OF Mind, Body, Spirit: Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness.

ON-LINE EDUCATION AND RESOURCES / EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING :   

WEBINAR: State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America   January 29, 2020 │ 2:30 PM EST

Join public health leaders as they discuss the national obesity crisis, its health impacts, and how advocates are working at the national, and local levels can address this on-going epidemic. This webinar explores findings of The Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) 2019 State of Obesity report.  

The report found that about 1 in 3 Americans of all ages - more than 100 million people - have obesity. The epidemic is estimated to increase national healthcare spending by $149 billion annually, about half of which is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. Moreover, the rates of U.S. obesity continue to climb, and racial, ethnic, income and geographic disparities persist. For the first time, nine U.S. states (AL, AK, IA, KY, LA, MS, MO, ND and WV) had adult obesity rates at or above 35% in 2018, up from zero states as recently as 2012.

This event is recommended for anyone working in public health, advocacy, school health, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, transportation and planning, hospitals, health systems, insurers, and local and state health officials.   Registration is free and closed captioning is available to all attendees.  The webinar session will include time for audience Q&A.  Wednesday, January 29, 2020   2:30 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern   11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Pacific. 

RSVP at this link: 
https://publichealthinstitute.webex.com/publichealthinstitute/onstage/g.php?MTID=e7b9a02538b9149954fec48cee0217953 

Upcoming Conferences:

2020 Westberg Institute Annual Conference at the Caring for the Human Spirit Conference April 20-22, 2020 Santa Fe, New Mexico   https://westberginstitute.org/symposium2020/

Save the Date!
Health Ministries Association Annual Conference
September 13-15, 2020

One Voice, One Vision: Wisdom for Healthier Communities,
Techny Towers Conference and Retreat Center
Techny, IL (Chicagoland)
https://hmassoc.org/

KEEP CONNECTED:

An article, Sacred Space to Talk About Drug Use, in UCC’s Keeping You Posted (KYP) eblast of August 27, 2019, is about Harm Reduction.  Mike Schuenemeyer, Executive for Health and Wholeness Advocacy Ministries oversees this new effort in the national UCC setting to center on the voices of those with lived experience related to opioid and other substance use disorders.  Kudos to Peggy Matteson of the Wellness Ministries Leadership Team for her commentary in the article’s interview.  Peggy represents Wellness Ministries on the UCC task force that is developing tools and resources for congregations’ responses to the opioid crisis. 

Visit our FaceBook and Linked-In pages:
Post comments or share information about your health ministries; join in conversations. 

Contact us: Have something you want to share with your colleagues in the next issue of the newsletter? Are you looking for a resource to assist you in your ministry?  We’d enjoy hearing from you!

Previous issues of the newsletter: 
Use previous year’s monthly newsletters to aid your search for links to resources on health ministries and wellness topics:

Contact us:

• Have something you want to share with your colleagues?
• Are you looking for something to assist you in your ministry? 
• Interested in joining the Leadership Team for the Wellness Ministries of the UCC?

Let us hear from you.

Contact:
Alyson Breisch and/or Deb Stankiewicz

###

Mind, Body, Spirit: Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness
The Wellness Ministries of the UCC Newsletter
(formerly The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter)

November – December 2019, Vol. 4 Issue 7

Reflection: 

“You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy.”
- Psalm 65:11-12 (NRSV).

Ah, autumn. . .  fields of bright orange pumpkins;  mountain ridges bursting in brilliant colors of autumn;  harvest wheat rolls gathered in farm fields; falling leaves beginning nature’s composting for next spring’s blossoms.  Let us celebrate the season . . . with thanksgiving for health, family and friends and move into Advent and Christmastide with a sense of anticipation and childlike wonder. 

HEALTH PROGRAMMING AND OBSERVATION DATES:

NOVEMBER:

American Diabetes Month.  
Diabetes is a nationwide epidemic.  Approximately 30 million children and adults have diabetes in the United States.   1.5 million Americans are newly diagnosed with diabetes every year.  Approximately 1.25 million American children and adults have type 1 diabetes.   Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States in 2015.  The effects of diabetes on the  cardiovascular system, renal function, and vision are well known.  A recent study found that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes as it is in those who don't have the disease. Of the 84 million adults in the U.S. who have prediabetes, the rate of hearing loss is 30 percent higher than in those with normal blood glucose.  The relationship is not yet defined but it may the small blood vessels of the ear are affected similarly as those affecting the kidneys and eyes.  The American Diabetes Association has information on Type I and Type II Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes.  https://www.diabetes.org/

You can take the association’s 60 second Type 2 risk test.   https://www.diabetes.org/risk-test

National Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month.   
16 million people have been diagnosed with COPD and millions of others do not realize they may have it. While smoking is the number one cause of COPD in the United States, genetic factors can also contribute to its development.   Twenty five percent of those diagnosed are not associated with direct tobacco smoking.   The National Institutes of Health has developed a COPD National Action Plan.  This booklet starts with a section on “What to Know About COPD” and then discusses the five goals set by the NIH

Empower people with COPD, their families, and caregivers to recognize and reduce the burden of COPD.

Improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of COPD by improving the quality of care delivered across the health care continuum.

Collect, analyze, report, and disseminate COPD-related public health data that drive change and track progress.

Increase and sustain research to better understand the prevention, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and management of COPD.

Translate national policy, educational, and program recommendations into research and public health care actions.

A copy can be downloaded from the NIH website:  https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/sites/default/files/media/docs/COPD%20National%20Action%20Plan%20508_0.pdf

National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. 
BECOME A DEMENTIA FRIEND

Many people think of dementia as a disease. In fact, Dementia is a set of symptoms involving memory and cognitive function that indicate disease of the brain. November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Although Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common disease of this type, there are many other diseases that may be responsible for the symptoms including Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal and Vascular dementia. People with diseases of dementia need understanding and compassionate care. This is greatly facilitated when those who care for them and live in community with them are educated about the symptoms and behaviors associated with dementing diseases.  Using the most effective communication strategies with affected individuals promotes good care in communities and allows individuals with the disease to be well-supported.

DEMENTIA FRIENDS is a global movement developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom and is now underway in the United States. The goal is to help everyone in a community understand five key messages about dementia, how it affects people and how we can make a difference in the lives of people living with the disease.  The training is about 1 hour 15 minutes long and works well for a Sunday morning church seminar. Information on offering Dementia Friend Training or on Becoming a Dementia Friend can be found at:

https://dementiafriendsusa.org

https://dementiafriendsusa.org/state-licensure

https://dementiafriendsusa.org/sessions-your-state

National Family Caregivers Month.
November is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. This year’s theme is “Caregiving Around the Clock.”  

According to The Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving, “About 44 million Americans provide 37 billion hours of unpaid, "informal" care each year for adult family members and friends with chronic illnesses or conditions that prevent them from handling daily activities such as bathing, managing medications or preparing meals on their own.” Churches are uniquely positioned to support caregivers.  Faith Community Nurses and Pastors might provide such support by offering a Caregiver Support Group, providing respite volunteers or connecting members with caregiving resources. Our inclination is to ask caregivers how the family member they care for is doing but to forget to ask of the caregiver, “How are you doing?” Simply being intentional about asking how the caregiver is doing is an easy way to support them. Below are some websites and books that can provide useful information and support to caregivers.

• Resources on Caregiving:

https://www.caregiver.org/caregiving

https://www.alz.org

https://www.usa.gov/disability-caregiver

• Put Your Mask 0n First: The Caregiver's Guide to Self-Care by Dr. Gary Bradt and Scott Silknitter

How to Care for Aging Parents, 3rd Edition: A One-Stop Resource for All Your Medical, Financial, Housing, and Emotional Issues by Virginia Morris (Author), Jennie Chin Hansen (Foreword)

• Resource on Mental Health Caregiving:

In 2016 a study, On Pins and Needles: Caregivers of Adults with Mental Illness, was conducted with the assistance of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America.  This was the first national survey of mental health caregivers conducted in the United States and identified numerous challenges faced by these caregivers. The Caregiving Organization provides a resource to address the challenges identified in this study: Circle of Care: A Guidebook for Mental Health Caregivers.  It includes 12 fact sheets with useful information. 

http://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/CircleOfCareReport_Final-Web_December-2017.pdf

National Hospice and Palliative Care Month:
CaringInfo, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, provides free resources to help people make decisions about end-of-life care and services before a crisis.   Resources related to hospice care, palliative care, advance care planning, caregiving, and grief and loss are included in the Patients and Caregivers section of the website: https://www.nhpco.org/patients-and-caregivers/

Check the Resources section for downloadable resources related to Advance Directives, Planning Ahead, Caregiving, End of Life Care, Grief, Pain, Pediatric, Professional Resources, Serious Illness, and  Spanish/English Bilingual Resources: https://www.nhpco.org/patients-and-caregivers/resources/

• The National Institute on Aging has a site focused on Advance Care Planning:
  Healthcare Directives which includes an explanation of advance planning, a 3-minute video, and a downloadable pdf infographic:  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning-healthcare-directives

DECEMBER:

World AIDS Day:   
Around the world, about 37 million people are living with HIV. In the United States, about 38,500 people get infected with HIV every year.  World AIDS Day takes place on 1 December each year.  It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.    https://www.worldaidsday.org/

The red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV. Wearing a ribbon is a great way to raise awareness on and during the run up to World AIDS Day.  You may consider hosting a forum with a local public health official to discuss HIV prevention and the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, include an article in your next newsletter to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS, and encourage your members to find an HIV testing location.

Safe Toys and Gifts Month: 
Choosing safe toys is important at this time of holidays and gift giving.  According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year hospital emergency rooms treat an estimated 251,700 toy-related injuries throughout the United States. Most of the injuries affect children under the age of 15.  Each year, thousands of children age 14 and younger suffered serious eye injuries, even blindness, from toys.  Prevent Blindness offers a Safe Toy Checklist  https://www.preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) closely monitors and regulates toys. Any toys made in or imported into the United States after 1995 must follow CPSC standards.   The CPSC website is currently undergoing maintenance and is unavailable.  In this interim, you can check this other site for tips on safe toy selections for various ages, how to keep toys safe in the home, and how to report unsafe toys.  https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/safe-toys.html

National Handwashing Awareness Week December 1–7:

Scrubby Bear Says. . .

 By Deb Stankiewicz, Faith Community Nurse

“Wash up quick, don’t get sick”. At the First Congregational Church of Western Springs I make monthly visits to the children in the church preschool to teach them about taking care of their health. Introducing them to the Scrubby Bear method of handwashing is by far my favorite lesson to teach! It is scheduled before the flu season starts each year, so they get lots of practice before the fall viruses hit. The method teaches the five critical steps of effective handwashing: wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry. It assures that there is a 20 second handwashing as recommended by the CDC by using counting or singing of a song such as Happy Birthday while washing. The final step in my lesson is to give the children a picture of Scrubby Bear to color with the recommendation to hang it in the bathroom at home as a reminder to wash their hands. I also charge them with the homework of going home and teaching the process to their family members.

December 1-7 is Handwashing Awareness Week.
Imagine that!  A whole week dedicated to the importance of proper handwashing! I was surprised to see such a mundane task highlighted as an event. It makes sense to me for a few reasons.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls hand washing "a do-it-yourself vaccine"

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related illnesses and 1 in 5 infections, including the flu.

The CDC also reports that only 31 percent of men and 65 percent of women washed their hands after using a public restroom.

I have personally observed that many adults, especially in restrooms, do not follow the five critical steps of effective handwashing if they wash at all. So, use the “do-it-yourself vaccine” and wash the Scrubby Bear way!

https://nationaltoday.com/national-handwashing-awareness-week/

https://chicagoredcrossstories.wordpress.com/2010/  Note:  enter “Scrubby Bear” in Search window.

Influenza Vaccination Week December 1–7:

Flu season is here.  Local flu activity is already being reported in several states.  Here are some key points from the Centers for Disease Control:

Remind people that even though the holiday season has begun, it is not too late to get a flu vaccine.  

As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination should continue throughout flu season in order to protect as many people as possible against flu.

Vaccination efforts should continue through the holiday season and beyond. It’s not too late to vaccinate.

While vaccination is recommended before the end of October, getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial during most seasons for people who have put it off.

The Center for Disease Control is promoting information about seasonal flu and encouraging increased vaccination rates.  This main webpage gives information on preventing flu, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and maps indicating flu activity and surveillance: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/     Near the right bottom corner of the page is the link for the Flu Vaccine Finder which uses zip code to locate flu vaccine clinics near you. Simply enter your zip code or city and state to find locations of flu vaccine clinics.

The CDC website has several graphics in English and Spanish that you can use on your websites, bulletin boards and printed materials: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/resource-center/nivw/webtools.htm

This section of the CDC website identifies people at high risk from flu, health and age factors that are known to increase a person’s risk of getting serious complications from the flu, and information for specific high risk groups: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm

National Older Driver Safety Awareness Week December 2–6:  
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3 (ESV).  When should I stop driving? When should my parent stop driving? Having a driver’s license is not only a lifelong symbol of independence but somewhat of a necessity for independence for most of us. So, when these questions arise, there is often a great deal of stress and unhappiness. The answer rests in another question; am I or is my parent safe while driving? Some people have an inherent knowing about when they are no longer safe driving. If there is doubt however, there are Driver Safety Classes and Safe Driver Evaluations beyond a DMV test that can support decision-making. Check out the following resources for help with Driving Safety for Older Adults.

https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/older-drivers

https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/older-drivers

https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/info-2016/when-to-stop-driving-in-older-age.html

https://www.caring.com/caregivers/senior-driving/

Advent and Longest Night Worship:
Amidst the joy, anticipation, and celebration of the Advent season and Christmas, many people are coping with loss, pain, suffering, loneliness, grief, and sadness.  A worship service of consolation and hope offered on the evening of the longest night (on or about December 21st – the winter solstice) can provide a quiet, prayerful time for remembrance, consolation, and comfort.   While the term “Blue Christmas worship service” has been used to identify these services, using the term, “The Longest Night worship service”, emphasizes God’s abiding presence and light that dwells within the darkness.  Features of the service may include lighting the Advent candles,  participative litanies and prayers, and opportunity for individuals to light a votive candle in honor of a loved one or as part of their own prayers for healing and hope.  Examples of hymns and scripture may include a solo of In the Bleak Midwinter, readings from Isaiah 40:1-5: “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God” and John 1:1-5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”   The poem Blessing for the Longest Night, by Jan Richardson, may be included as a reflection in the program. There are examples of Longest Night services searchable on the internet. 

ON-LINE EDUCATION AND RESOURCES / EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING:   

The Dignity in Aging Act of 2019, H.R. 4334, has been passed by the US House of Representatives. 
The bill reauthorizes the Older Americans Act.  The bill maintains funding for the work of the long-term care ombudsman program and continued authority for the National Center on Elder Abuse and National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC).   The bill was received in the  Senate 10/29/2019.  It was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.  A fact sheet on the bill is available: https://files.constantcontact.com/59aae830301/daa92449-d886-4920-885a-a1dff29c5319.pdf

Palliative Care webinar:
The National Coalition offers a free webinar titled “Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, 4th edition”.   https://www.nationalcoalitionhpc.org/ncp-webinar/

This webinar includes a webinar recording and a handout.  It discusses: the definition of palliative care and key concepts; how the 4th edition was developed, eight domains of palliative care, including changes from the 3rd edition: practical applications of the guidelines across care settings, and strategies to implement the guidelines within your practice setting. 

Trust for America’s Health has produced a report titled Addressing a Crisis:
Cross-Sector Strategies to Prevent Adolescent Substance Use and Suicide.  It is part of their Pain in the Nation series.  John Auerbach, President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health  notes that “Adolescence is a challenging time when the impact of poverty, discrimination, bullying and isolation can be intense. Fortunately, there are policies and programs that can reduce some of these circumstances and the risks associated with them by strengthening teens’ coping and emotional-skills – skills that can improve their health and led to their succeeding in schools.”  You can access the report here: https://www.tfah.org/report-details/adsandadolescents/

Upcoming Conferences:

2020 Westberg Institute Annual Conference at the Caring for the Human Spirit Conference
April 20-22, 2020 Santa Fe, New Mexico 

Save the Date! Health Ministries Association Annual Conference,
September 13-15, 2020

One Voice, One Vision: Wisdom for Healthier Communities,
Techny Towers Conference and Retreat Center, Techny, IL (Chicagoland)

KEEP CONNECTED:

An article, Sacred Space to Talk About Drug Use, in UCC’s Keeping You Posted (KYP) eblast of August 27, 2019, is about Harm Reduction.  Mike Schuenemeyer, Executive for Health and Wholeness Advocacy Ministries oversees this new effort in the national UCC setting to center on the voices of those with lived experience related to opioid and other substance use disorders.  Kudos to Peggy Matteson of the Wellness Ministries Leadership Team for her commentary in the article’s interview.  Peggy represents Wellness Ministries on the UCC task force that is developing tools and resources for congregations’ responses to the opioid crisis. 

Visit our FaceBook and Linked-In pages:
Post comments or share information about your health ministries; join in conversations. 

Contact us: Have something you want to share with your colleagues in the next issue of the newsletter? Are you looking for a resource to assist you in your ministry?  We’d enjoy hearing from you!

Previous issues of the newsletter: 
Use previous year’s monthly newsletters to aid your search for links to resources on health ministries and wellness topics:

Contact us:

• Have something you want to share with your colleagues?
• Are you looking for something to assist you in your ministry? 
• Interested in joining the Leadership Team for the Wellness Ministries of the UCC?

Let us hear from you.

Contact:
Alyson Breisch and/or Deb Stankiewicz

###

A racial justice expert from the national staff of the United Church of Christ will help emcee an "action summit" in Cleveland, declaring racism a public health crisis and marking the arrival of enslaved Africans in North America 400 years ago.

Mind, Body, Spirit: Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness
The Wellness Ministries of the UCC Newsletter
(formerly The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter)

September-October 2019, Volume 4, Issue 6

MUSINGS:

"The breezes taste of apple peel.
The air is full of smells to feel -
Ripe fruit, old footballs, burning brush,
New books, erasers, chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive, well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean with suds,
the days are polished with a morning haze."
                   - John Updike, September

HEALTH PROGRAMMING AND OBSERVATION DATES IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER:

September:

Return to School:  This topic was covered in the last issue of the newsletter; “thank you” to a reader who sent us this additional resource - 5 Tips to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety - to assist with anxiety associated with children’s return to school: 

At this time of the year, children are beginning a new school year and adults may be starting new jobs or new projects.  It can be difficult to find times to be together and support each other.  This may strain family dynamics.  The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension has a valuable article, "Building Strong Family Relationships." 

National Preparedness Month:  As this newsletter is being written, Hurricane Dorian is moving toward the eastern coast of Florida.  May all those in its path be safe.  Preparation for natural disasters is always a relevant health ministries educational and procedural response topic.  The Red Cross offers an Emergency Preparedness Checklist:

FEMA’s program, Be Prepared, Not Scared has different web-based resources for each week of the month: https://www.ready.gov/september

            Week One:  Save Early for Disaster Costs

            Week Two:  Make a Plan to Prepare for Disasters

            Week Three:  Teach Youth to Prepare for Disasters

            Week Four:  Get Involved in Your Community’s Preparedness 

Home Safety:  Speaking of preparation, the heating season will soon be upon us. It’s time to think about having your furnace checked by a service company for proper functioning and proper venting of carbon monoxide.  When clocks are turned back an hour on Sunday, November 3^rd, it’s a good time to also check home smoke and CO detectors - making sure smoke and CO detectors have new batteries and are functioning.   Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas.  This Mayo Clinic tip sheet alerts you to symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Flu Season 2019:  It’s time to talk about flu immunization.  The CDC has a Vaccine Information Sheet for this current immunization period. 

The American Lung Association Year of Air Pollution and Health offers health information each month. The topic for September is Health Impacts of Extreme Storms and the topic for October is: Empowering the Next Generation.

The American Nurses Association (ANA: The American Nurses Association 2019 National Awards program is now accepting nominations. ANA members are encouraged to acknowledge the achievements of ANA members in the following categories: Distinguished Practice in Nursing, Diversity in Nursing, Nurse Exemplars, and Nursing Champions.  Is there a faith community nurse you know who is a good candidate for one of these awards?  The deadline to submit an award nomination is 5 p.m. ET, Oct. 7. To learn more about the awards, visit the National Awards Program page on NursingWorld.org

The National Health Information Center offers a useful resource for identifying designated health- and illness-focused months, weeks, or days and provides a link to information related to each month’s health observances.

   Here are a few links selected from their September listing:

      National Food Safety Education Month

      National Sickle Cell Month

      Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

      Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

      National Recovery Month 

October:

Medicare Open Enrollment Period begins on October 15, 2019, and ends December 7, 2019. Medicare health and drug plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year, so people with Medicare should look at their coverage choices and decide on the options that best fit their health needs.  They can visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program.  

Medicare has created a new Medicare Plan Finder.  This most-used tool on Medicare.gov, allows users to shop and compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to relaunch the Medicare Plan Finder website on Sept. 2. 

The National Health Information Center offers a useful resource for identifying designated health- and illness-focused months, weeks, or days and provides a link to information related to each month’s health observances.

   Here are a few links selected from their October listing:

      Domestic Violence Awareness Month

      National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

      Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month

      Eye Injury Prevention Month

Halloween Safety: Halloween is an exciting time for children, and it is also a time to focus on their safety.  Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.  The American Academy of Pediatrics has developed a list of Halloween safety tips about costume safety, pumpkin carving, on the Trick or Treat Trail, keeping Halloween healthy, and reminders about food allergies. 

Other resources include:

National Safety Council on Halloween Safety

Children’s Safety Network on Halloween Safety

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING:

Webinar: The Partnership Center of the Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services is offering a free webinar: Mental Illness 101 & Family Health Series | Postpartum Depression: Help Hope, and Healing on September 25, 2019 at 12:00 PM (Eastern Time). 

Description: The Partnership Center’s “Postpartum Depression: Help, Hope, and Healing” webinar will be the third installment in their Family Health educational series, and is squarely at the intersection of women’s health and mental health.

For registration click here.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center: 

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center is offering a free online course, Locating and Understanding Data for Suicide Prevention. The course explores a variety of commonly used data sources for information on suicide deaths and attempts, suicidal ideation, and related factors - as well as new frontiers in suicide surveillance, such as interactive dashboards and real-time data collection.  The 2-hour course is recommended for any professional involved in national, state or community suicide prevention. 

Annual Health Ministries and Faith Community Nursing Conference:  The Health Ministries Association’s 30^th Anniversary Conference is scheduled for October 11 – 14, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Training and Education Center, 3861 Olympic Blvd., Erlanger, KY.  The theme is Faith-Based Approaches to Cultivate Healthier Communities.  To download the brochure, click here.

To register, click here.

ATTENTION:  If you are attending the HMA Conference, please let Alyson Breisch know (alyson.breisch@gmail.com).  There will be a UCC denominational meeting Saturday, September 12^th at 7:30 pm.  Alyson will let you know the room location for the meeting. 

BOOK REVIEW:

1. J. Dana Trent’s new book, Dessert First: Preparing for Death While Savoring Life, will be published Sept. 10^th by Chalice Press. Trent will be a keynote speaker and workshop presenter at the Health Ministries Association (HMA) 30^th Anniversary Conference and Celebration in October.  Other books by J. Dana Trent include One Breath at a Time: A Skeptic’s Guide to Christian Meditation; For Sabbath’s Sake: Embracing Your Need for Rest, Worship, and Community; and Saffron Cross: The Unlikely Story of How a Christian Minister Married a Hindu Monk.

KEEP CONNECTED:

An article, Sacred Space to Talk About Drug Use, in UCC’s Keeping You Posted (KYP) eblast of August 27, 2019, is about Harm Reduction.  Mike Schuenemeyer, Executive for Health and Wholeness Advocacy Ministries oversees this new effort in the national UCC setting to center on the voices of those with lived experience related to opioid and other substance use disorders.  Kudos to Peggy Matteson of the Wellness Ministries Leadership Team for her commentary in the article’s interview.  Peggy represents Wellness Ministries on the UCC task force that is developing tools and resources for congregations’ responses to the opioid crisis. 

Visit our FaceBook and Linked-In pages: Post comments or share information about your health ministries; join in conversations. 

Contact us: Have something you want to share with your colleagues in the next issue of the newsletter? Are you looking for a resource to assist you in your ministry?  We’d enjoy hearing from you!

Previous issues of the newsletter: 
Use previous year’s monthly newsletters to aid your search for links to resources on health ministries and wellness topics:

Contact us:

• Have something you want to share with your colleagues?
• Are you looking for something to assist you in your ministry? 
• Interested in joining the Leadership Team for the Wellness Ministries of the UCC?

Let us hear from you.

Contact:
Alyson Breisch and/or Deb Stankiewicz

###

When a young man died of an opioid overdose this summer, the harm reduction movement in the United Church of Christ helped his parents cope with their unimaginable grief and share hope with their son's community.

People who use drugs may not come to mind immediately when United Church of Christ members think of values like Extravagant Welcome or Love of Neighbor. A growing community of UCC people is working to change that.

Mind, Body, Spirit: Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness
The Wellness Ministries of the UCC Newsletter
(formerly The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter)

July-August 2019, Volume 4, Issue 5

MUSINGS: 

"That beautiful season the Summer!
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;
and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”  Audrey Hepburn 

What comes to your mind as favorite summer memories? 
Fireflies twinkling at dusk?  
Butterflies on lantana blooms?
Watermelon and ice cream at family picnics? 
Early morning sunbeams dancing on a quiet lake?
Fireworks on the 4^th of July?
The nighttime chorus of katydids and crickets?  

Fruit and vegetables are now plentiful in backyard plots, community lots, and farmers markets.  Mason jars are on sale, waiting for an August Saturday when many hands work together to “put up” this summer’s yield for enjoyment in winter meals.   

The summer beckons us to expand our time outdoors, plant and nurture gardens, gather and share the bounty with others, and walk with reverence and gratitude for the splendor all around us. 

GENERAL SYNOD:

The 32^nd General Synod of the United Church of Christ was held in Milwaukee, WI from June 20-25, 2019 at the Milwaukee Center.  There were 22 resolutions brought before the committees and then to the Plenary Sessions for delegate voting.  Some resolutions addressed UCC bylaws and organizational procedures; others addressed moral concerns such as private prisons, racial violence, sexual assault, immigrant detention; and other resolutions focused on climate justice and  environmental  concerns.  You can view the statements of each resolution at this link: http://ucceverywhere.org/synod/

The Health and Wholeness Advocacy ministries were very active during the exhibit times.  These groups include: The Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM), UCAN (United Church of Christ HIV and AIDS Network, Sexuality Education and Justice (Our Whole Lives (OWL), UCC Wellness Ministries and Faith Community Nurses, UCC Disability Ministries, Disability and Mental Health Justice, UCC for Mental Health - Wise, Inclusive, Supportive, Engaged (WISE), UCC Scouting Working Group, ONA (Open and Affirming) LGBT Ministries, and Encuentro De Gracia Y Bienvendia.  HIV testing was offered, NARCAN education and doses were provided, each group provided educational resources, and many one-on-one conversations were shared related to these ministries.  A heartfelt “thank you” is extended to Rev. Michael Scheunemeyer, Executive, Office for Health and Wholeness Advocacy, for his generous encouragement, support, and guidance to these groups whose purpose is to promote justice, advocacy, education, health and healing for all.

A new feature at General Synod this year was the Self-Care Suite.  This was a joint undertaking of the Wellness Ministries, Disability Ministries, and the Mental Health Network to offer a quiet, welcoming space to support physical and mental health during General Synod.  Accessible yoga, meditation, breath, QiGong, and Reiki workshops were also offered in adjoining space. 

The Health and Wholeness Advocacy Luncheon on Sunday, June 23^rd provided the opportunity for each of  the ministry groups to provide a short presentation about its mission and focus.  The UCC Wellness Ministries and Faith Community Nurses presentation can be viewed here.

SYNOD REFLECTIONS:

Alyson Breisch, Chair of the UCC Wellness Ministries, asked leadership team members Peggy Matteson, and Donna Smith-Pupillo who also attended the 32^nd General Synod to share their reflections on General Synod:

Donna Smith-Pupillo, Executive Director, Deaconess Nurse Ministry, St. Louis, MO:  “The 32nd General Synod was filled with all the joys and concerns of a family reunion with work as we continue to become as the church. The luncheon for the Health and Human services highlighted for me the work that can be done in collaborative format for the whole church. With the opiate crisis present across the country, the General Synod passed a resolution to address advocacy and treatment needs.” 

Peggy Matteson, Minister for Congregational Health, Historic Rhode Island Conference:  “In the moment the Synod experience can be spiritually, physically, intellectually, and emotionally exhausting.  A time of post-Synod reflection reveals the range of blessings it provides. Synod is a sacred time of genuine opportunity to be encircled within the very diverse community that comprises the United Church of Christ.  The reality of others lived experiences, their joys and heartbreaks, struggles and opportunities were shared in both forums large and small and individual conversations, as our community of faith sought to find common ground on which to journey forth addressing a variety of justice issues.   The faces, the stories, the worship, the shared meals, the elevator conversations, etc. all provided me with pride in the membership of the UCC for lifting up the challenges and then listening to the wisdom offered by individuals from every decade of life.” 

HEALTH OBSERVATION DATES IN JULY AND AUGUST:

JULY: 

Juvenile Arthritis awareness month: https://www.arthritis.org/warriors-2018/

https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/juvenile-arthritis/

July 28, 2019: World Hepatitis Day: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/worldhepday.htm

AUGUST:

National Immunization Awareness Month:  Important vaccination information for babies, children, pre-teens, teens, and adults. 

https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/immunizations/Pages/National-Immunization-Awareness-Month.aspx

      Children’s Eye Health and Safety: https://yoursightmatters.com/august-childrens-eye-   health-safety-month/

NOTE:  There are many health observance days in September.  Here are few you can review to advance plan for educational sessions and bulletin board displays:

• Ovarian Cancer Awareness: https://www.ovariancancerawareness.org/
• National Preparedness Month: https://www.epa.gov/natural-disasters/september-preparedness-month
• Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: https://www.pcf.org/blue/
• Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: https://www.acco.org/childhood-cancer-awareness-month/

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IDEAS:

JULY:

Boating and Water Safety:

This is the time of the summer when people are vacationing and enjoying recreational boating, jet skiing, and waterboarding on lakes and rivers.  Choosing the right life jacket, knowing the “rules of the road” in water navigation, and performing equipment checks can all help to ensure safety.   This poster from the water safety campaign of the National Safety Council includes helpful information:  https://safeboatingcampaign.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/nsbc-wear-it-fact-sheet-boating-safety-tips.pdf

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that the toddler years have a higher drowning risk than any other time.  Drowning is the leading cause of injury death in children ages 1-4.  Preventing unintended, unsupervised access to water is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce drowning deaths among young children.   Visit this site for many helpful tips:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Water-Safety-And-Young-Children.aspx

Mosquito Borne and Tick-Borne illnesses: 

Increased time in the outdoors can result in exposure to mosquitos and ticks.  Preventive approaches and awareness of symptoms are timely topics for summer health education materials.  

Mosquito-borne diseases include Zika, dengue, West Nile, and Chicungunya virus.  Tips to prevent mosquito bites from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include dressing in light-colored clothing, long pants, and long sleeves; avoiding areas where mosquitoes are present; and taking other actions such as removing sources of standing water to prevent breeding can also help.  The EPA site also includes information on types of repellents to protect against mosquito-borne illnesses. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/using-repellent-products-protect-against-mosquito-borne-illnesses

Tick-borne diseases are a significant public health problem.  While Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness, other illnesses – babesiosis, human granulocytic anaplasomosis (formerly called granulocytic erlechiosis) and human monocytic erlechiosis - are also transmitted by the deer tick.  The American Dog Tick, Brown Dog Tick, Rocky Mountain Wood Tick can cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  Prevention guidelines and proper techniques for removal of a tick can become a valuable teaching poster: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html

The EPA has a website tool that provides guidance on which insect repellant is most effective based on the insects it repels, duration of exposure, season, and regions of county.  https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you

Another resource is from Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/outdoor-safety/mosquito-and-tick-diseases-guide/

AUGUST:

Back to School Health:

For children and their parents, the transition of going from summer days to school days may be associated with both anticipation and anxiety.   One article, 10 Ways To Help Kids Handle Back-to-School Anxiety: Teacher Tips for Parents addresses back to school anxiety:  https://www.teacherlists.com/blog/10-ways-to-help-kids-handle-back-to-school-anxiety/

Getting back into routines and a regular sleep schedule can make the transition easier.  Several sites have tips emphasizing healthy activities and preparation:  https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/downloads/tip-back-to-school.pdf

https://www.consumerreports.org/children-s-health/back-to-school-health/

Back to school often means using a backpack to carry books and lunches.  Backpacks that are too heavy can cause back, neck and shoulder pain as well as poor posture.  Points about choosing a good backpack and minimizing weight can be part of your teaching content for promoting back to school health: https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/child-safety/backpacks

KEEP CONNECTED:

Visit our FaceBook and Linked-In pages: share information about your health ministries and join in conversations and postings. 

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6951713/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/UCCFCN/posts/

Previous issues of the newsletter: 
Use previous year’s monthly newsletters to aid your search for links to resources on health ministries and wellness topics: http://www.ucc.org/ucc_faith_community_nurse_network_newsletter

Contact us:

• Have something you want to share with your colleagues?
• Are you looking for something to assist you in your ministry? 
• Interested in joining the Leadership Team for the Wellness Ministries of the UCC?

Let us hear from you.

Contact:
Alyson Breisch and/or Deb Stankiewicz

###

Mind, Body, Spirit: Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness
The Wellness Ministries of the UCC Newsletter
(formerly The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter)

Special Announcement, June 3, 2019

Greetings from the UCC Wellness Ministries Leadership Team!

Are you attending General Synod 32 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin June 22-26, 2019?  If so, we would love to chat with you at the UCC Wellness Ministries and Faith Community Nurses table in the Health and Wholeness Advocacy area in the exhibit hall.

• We want to learn about your health ministries and the faith community nurse role within your congregation and/or community.
• We would love suggestions from you about resources that would facilitate your ministries.
• We would like to gain your insights around a new initiative the UCC Wellness Ministries and Faith Community Nurses will be offering local churches beginning in autumn 2019.

If you will be at General Synod 32, please reply with your name and local church information and we’ll look forward to meeting you in Milwaukee! 

Contact:
Alyson Breisch and/or Peggy Matteson

Mind, Body, Spirit: Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness
The Wellness Ministries of the UCC Newsletter
(formerly The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter)

May-June 2019, Volume 4, Issue 4

“The butterfly counts not the months but moments, and has time enough”.  Rabindranath Tagore.  

Spring flowers are blooming, and young emerging plants rise upward to welcome the growth and sustenance summer will bring. This is a season of marking celebrations within the cycle of life: Mother’s Day, commencements, graduations, Father’s Day, marriages, new ventures, joys and sorrows. 

This issue marks another beginning.  We now plan to produce the newsletter on a bi-monthly basis.  The remaining issues for 2019 will be the July-August issue, September-October issue, and the November-December issue.

HEALTH OBSERVATION DATES IN MAY AND JUNE:

MAY:

National High Blood Pressure Education Month

Many health ministries programs and faith community nurses provide blood pressure screening.  These sessions are also an opportunity for education to promote healthy living.  Educational sessions can be offered on selection of blood pressure monitoring equipment and proper technique for obtaining home blood pressure readings.  The Mayo Clinic has a webpage, Get the Most out of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring with helpful tips:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20047889

An inactive or sedentary lifestyle has recently been identified as increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.  During National High Blood Pressure Education Month in May, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is challenging Americans to participate in a national pledge to #MoveWithHeart to help reduce their risk of high blood pressure. NHLBI is asking people to pledge by posting a photo or uploading a video being physically active and using the hashtag. http://www.movewithheartpledge.com/

A fact sheet is available for posting with tips on moving more: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/sites/default/files/media/docs/Fact_Sheet_Move_More_508.pdf

Connect here for information on Hypertension risk factors, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and living with hypertension: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure

Bike Safety Awareness Month 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has information on bike safety tips for parents and kids. There are also videos on bike riding safety, fitting a bike helmet, rules of the road, and Driving Safely.  A bulletin board poster can be downloaded at https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/811557.pdf

National Melanoma Skin Cancer Prevention Month

Prevention and early detection of skin cancer is emphasized as we move into the warmer season with increased sun exposure.  This is the time to help spread sun-safety messages and increase public awareness about skin cancer.  The American Academy of Dermatology is promoting National Melanoma Skin Cancer Prevention Month.  The website includes 18 free educational resources to help others learn how to prevent and detect skin cancer.  You can download these free at this link:

https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/free-resources

JUNE:

Alzheimer’s Disease

Worldwide, 50 million people are living with Alzheimer's and other dementias.  The Alzheimer’s Association is asking people to go purple and raise awareness this June. Purple is the official color of the Alzheimer's movement.  People are invited to share a photo on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtags #ENDALZ or #EndAlzheimers.
https://www.alz.org/abam/overview.asp#goPurple

On the Alzheimer’s Association’s website, you can find educational information and  professionals and support options located near you.  See section of page titled Find Local Resources:
https://www.alz.org/

Men’s Health Month

The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.   Consider celebrating Wear Blue Friday, the Friday before Father’s day. Use the on-line Tool Kit to help enhance your outreach efforts.

The webpage http://www.menshealthmonth.org/ also includes a link to the Men’s Health Network, a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health awareness and disease prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. The Free Health Care listed under the Resources Section on the website is a search feature for Free and/or Low-Cost Health Care by state and city location. 

National Safety Month   

The National Safety Council holds National Safety Month each June.  Each week has a focus:

Week 1: Hazard Recognition

Week 2: Slips, Trips and Falls

Week 3: Fatigue

Week 4: Impairment

You can use this month to raise awareness about important safety issues like preventing poisonings;  medication safety and prescription drug abuse; driving, biking, and working safely; first aid and emergency preparedness; preventing slips, trips, and falls.  http://safety.nsc.org/national-safety-month-2019-post-launch

The US Department of Health and Human Services Healthfinder.gov website offers a toolkit for National Safety Month.  https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/JuneToolkit2.aspx  You can sign up to receive free safety materials: http://safety.nsc.org/national-safety-month-2019-post-launch

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IDEAS:   

Speaking of safety – this is a good time to provide educational information about food preparation and safety.  Outdoor picnics and parties may provide opportunity for spoilage and the potential for food poisoning.  Proper techniques for food handling, cooking, and storage are essential for preventing food-born illnesses.  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers the Basics for Handling Food Safely.  It also has numerous fact sheets on topics such as Grilling and Food Safety, Handling Food Safely on the Road, Food Safety While Hiking, Camping, and Boating.   Another fact sheet that is helpful for Health Ministries Meal Ministries is titled Food Safety Tips for Home Delivered Meals Program Participants. 

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling

DATES ON THE UCC CALENDAR:

May 2019: 

Mental Health Sunday:  The United Church of Christ Mental Health Network invites you to highlight mental health on the third Sunday in May or any Sunday that suits your schedule.  Worship resources and inserts are available http://www.ucc.org/mental_health_sunday_2017  The UCC Mental Health Network Congregational Toolkits are also available:

http://mhn-ucc.blogspot.com/p/congregational-toolkits.html

If your health and wellness ministries committee wants to explore becoming designated by the UCC Mental Health Network process as a WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged) Congregation for Mental Health can be accessed at this link: http://moredomainsforless.com/mhnucc/becomingaWISEcongregationformentalhealth2019ed.pdf

GENERAL SYNOD UPDATE:

Registration is open.  https://www.synod2019.org/en/uccsynod2019

The Wellness Ministries of the UCC will be participating at General Synod 32 in several ways.  Peggy Matteson will be moderating a workshop on the Opioid Crisis Response.  Alyson Breisch will be doing a short presentation about the Wellness Ministries at the General Synod 32 Health Wholeness & Human Service Lunch. Both are participating with representatives of the UCC Disabilities Ministries and the UCC Mental Health Network, and Rev. Sarah Lund in the planning for a quiet room and adjoining wellness-focused space at General Synod.

KEEP CONNECTED:

Visit our FaceBook and Linked-In pages: share information about your health ministries and join in conversations and postings. 

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6951713/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/UCCFCN/posts/

Previous issues of the newsletter: 
Use previous year’s monthly newsletters to aid your search for links to resources on health ministries and wellness topics: http://www.ucc.org/ucc_faith_community_nurse_network_newsletter

Contact us:
Have something you want to share with your colleagues?
Are you looking for something to assist you in your ministry? 
Interested in joining the Leadership Team for the Wellness Ministries of the UCC? 
Let us hear from you.

Contact:
Alyson Breisch and/or Deb Stankiewicz

Mind, Body, Spirit: Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness
The Wellness Ministries of the UCC Newsletter
(formerly The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter)

April 2019, Volume 4, Issue 3

APRIL 2019

“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” William Shakespeare

April surrounds us with its beauty, renewal, and rebirth: a cardinal carrying strands of pine straw for a new nest in a shrub’s deep center; peony and asparagus stalks rising toward the sun; lilac and azalea buds pushing out at the ends of branches; local baseball and softball teams and the “ping” of a metal bat cracking in the air; a fresh garden plot tilled and readied for this year’s plantings; the welcomed births of lambs, kittens, puppies, piglets, calves, and the young of many species; longer days and walks along creeks, forest trails, and open meadows.  You are invited to venture out and see where April is astounding you with its glorious signs of spring.  

TAKE ACTION / SHARE YOUR VOICE:  

Mental Health:

The National Council for Behavioral Health has issued an action alert asking members of Congress to sign a Dear Colleague letter in support of increased funding for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant in FY20. The block grant is the largest funding stream going to states for substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery systems.

The Council also notes that bipartisan legislation has been introduced to increase access to mental health care. Two bills are currently in process:

1. The Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 286/H.R. 945) would allow marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and licensed mental health counselors to directly bill Medicare for their services. This simple change would immediately increase patients' access to needed mental health care.  You are urged to contact your legislators to cosponsor the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 286/H.R. 945).
2. The Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 824/ H.R. 1767), a bill to extend and expand the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration, has been reintroduced in the House and Senate.

https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/policy-action/write-your-legislators/

HEALTH OBSERVATION DATES IN APRIL:

Autism:

April is World Autism Month and April 2^nd is the twelfth annual World Autism Awareness Day. You are invited to join the pledge to go blue to increase global understanding and acceptance of people with autism by wearing something blue on April 2 in support of understanding and acceptance for people with autism.  On April 2nd, many landmarks around the globe will light up blue! You can purchase a special Autism Speaks Blue LED Colored Light Bulb at stores and join in the event by lighting your home or business BLUE!  A portion of the proceeds on bulbs benefits Autism Speaks.     

http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month

National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD):

April 10^th is National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD). NYHAAD is the first annual observance day set aside to recognize the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on young people.  In the United States, 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses were in young people aged 13-24 years.  Despite the disproportionate number of new HIV infections occurring among youth, the percentage tested for HIV is low compared to other age groups. Only 10% of U.S. high school students have ever been tested for HIV.  Infographics and other Resources can be found at this link:  

https://www.cdc.gov/features/youth-hiv-aids/index.html

National Healthcare Decisions Day:

April 16, 2019. :   The purpose of this day is to inspire, educate, and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning.   The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care.  Its pamphlet can be downloaded at this link:

http://theconversationproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ConversationProject-ConvoStarterKit-English.pdf

Multiple Starter Kits are available to download and print for free.   Starter kits are available in 14 different languages as well as an audio version in English. 

http://theconversationproject.org/starter-kits/

National Infant Immunization Week 2019 is April 27-May 4, 2019.

This annual observance is meant to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/index.html

Educational materials including videos, infographics, fact sheets and booklets are available: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/partners/childhood/multimedia.html

Immunization Schedules can be downloaded:

• English immunization schedule
• Spanish immunization schedule

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 27th

According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.2 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.  The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.  https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/national-take-back-day

The intent is to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. Click on this link to locate a site near you: https://takebackday.dea.gov/    

OTHER APRIL EVENTS:

Earth Day – April 22^nd   This year’s focus: Protect Our Species.  Activities are designed to:

• Educate and raise awareness about the accelerating rate of extinction of millions of species and the causes and consequences of this phenomenon.
• Achieve major policy victories that protect broad groups of species as well as individual species and their habitats.
• Build and activate a global movement that embraces nature and its values.
• Encourage individual actions such as adopting plant-based diet and stopping pesticide and herbicide use.

Multiple Toolkits available: https://www.earthday.org/earthdayinabox/

EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS:

Westberg Symposium: April 8-10, 2019 in Memphis, TN.  Theme: In These Times: Serving Through Adversity

UCC Insurance board:  Check the website for upcoming and previous webinars. One of the previous webinars, Risk Management for Keeping Youth Safe at Camp, is timely with Youth Camps beginning as we move into the season of summer.

https://www.insuranceboard.org/online-learning/

DATES ON THE UCC CALENDAR:

UCC Earth Sunday:  April 28, 2019    http://www.ucc.org/earth_day_sunday_2019_20190428  

Earth Day Sunday and Easter fall on the same day this year, so faith communities are encouraged to celebrate Earth Day when it makes sense for the individual community. 

The UCC Environmental Justice Ministry joined with the ecumenical Creation Justice Ministries to author and produce reflective materials on generational justice for this Earth Sunday. The 2019 theme is "Next Generation Rising" and focuses on children and youth leading the way for creation justice.    Download a copy of this resource today.

May 2019: 

Mental Health Sunday:  The United Church of Christ Mental Health Network invites you to highlight mental health on the third Sunday in May or any Sunday that suits your schedule.  Worship resources and inserts are available http://www.ucc.org/mental_health_sunday_2017  The UCC Mental Health Network Congregational Toolkits are also available:

            http://mhn-ucc.blogspot.com/p/congregational-toolkits.html

This may be a time for your health and wellness ministries committee to explore the process to be designated by the UCC Mental Health Network as a WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged) Congregation for Mental Health.  The pdf explaining the 10 steps to becoming a WISE congregation can be downloaded from this link:  http://moredomainsforless.com/mhnucc/becomingaWISEcongregationformentalhealth2019ed.pdf

GENERAL SYNOD UPDATE:

Registration is open.  https://www.synod2019.org/en/uccsynod2019

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond, winner of numerous awards for his book which chronicles the lives of several families in the poorest neighborhoods in Milwaukee, will be the keynote speaker at the United Church of Christ General Synod 32 in June. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, a New York Times Bestseller, will also be the subject of the denomination’s 2019 All Church Read.

A Faith-Based Reading Group Guide is available for groups using this book as a Book Club selection:   

https://www.uccfiles.com/synod/2019/Evicted-Faith-Based-Discussion-Guide.pdf

Keep Connected:      

Previous issues of the newsletter:  Use previous year’s monthly newsletters to aid your search for links to resources on health ministries and wellness topics: http://www.ucc.org/ucc_faith_community_nurse_network_newsletter

Contact us: Have something you want to share with your colleagues? Are you looking for something to assist you in your ministry?  Interested in joining the Leadership Team for the Wellness Ministries of the UCC?  Let us hear from you.

Contact
Alyson Breisch and/or Deb Stankiewicz