Tools for Ministry - Church Health Reader

	Ask Deborah

	Deborah Patterson knows health ministry. As the executive director of Northwest Parish Nurse Ministries, she works daily with parish nurses, pastors, and health professionals. She answers your most pressing or perplexing questions on health ministry. Are you hitting a roadblock with a program in your church? Are you wondering where to start with health ministry? Do you feel like you need a new idea on a specific topic? Ask Deborah!

	Church Website Content Q. I am a new parish nurse, and I have been given permission to post a few things on our church’s website. I am wondering what I should put there.

	Relieved of Duties QUESTION: After more than a decade of faithful service as a Faith Community Nurse, I have recently been relieved of my duties without explanation. Have you seen this before, and could I have seen this coming?

	Men's Health I have been struggling with trying to help my husband start an exercise program he can do and continue doing. Is there anything I can do?

	Ask Deborah Archives>>

	Recommended Resources



	Book Review: When Sickness Heals Siroj Sorajjakool explores the place of religious belief in health care. Review by Andrew Gienapp.

	Book Review: Eating & Drinking Author Elizabeth Groppe explores society and Christianity's approach to food and drink. Review by Joel R. Soza.

	Movie Review: Vision This drama tells the life of Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th century nun who viewed gardening, medicine, and learning as part of her ministry. Review by John Shorb.

	Book List: Dan Deffenbaugh Daniel Deffenbaugh is Professor of Religion at Hastings College, Nebraska. He recommends five books on spirituality and health.

	All Recommendations>>

	Flyers and Downloads

	Spread the word in your church. Download these flyers to promote healthy living within your congregation.

	Model for Healthy Living Assessment Wheel An assessment tool for improving each area of your life or the life of your church.

	Vaccines... Adults Need Them, Too! (B&W) A review of vaccines for adults.

	Vaccines... Adults Need Them, Too! (Color) A review of vaccines for adults.

	Move More Flyer (B&W) Easy ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

	Move More Flyer (Color) Easy ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

	Tips for Family Caregivers (B&W) 10 tips for those caring for loved ones.

	Tips for Family Caregivers (Color) 10 tips for those caring for loved ones.

	Fruits and Veggies Flyer (B&W) Gives ideas for adding fruits and vegetables to every meal.

	Fruits and Veggies Flyer (Color) Gives ideas for adding fruits and vegetables to every meal.

	Heart Healthy Lifestyle Flyer (B&W) Ways to prevent heart disease.

	Heart Healthy Lifestyle Flyer (Color) Ways to prevent heart disease.

	Curricula

	Alphabet Appetite Alphabet Appetite: Teaching Children Healthy Eating through the Alphabet is a faith-based, healthy living curriculum designed to introduce children to healthy foods.

	Walk & Talk Walk & Talk: Walking Together with Scripture is a year-long weekly Bible study and devotional.

	From Life to Life Eternal From Life to Life Eternal: Discussing Death as People of Faith provides biblically-based reflections to help congregations discuss end-of-life issues.

	View the complete collection>>

	Recipes for Large Groups: 100 servings

	Use these recipes in your church for large gatherings. Recipes are done in increments of 100, so you can easily multiply to get the correct amount for your group.

	Quinoa Salad with Cranberries Parsley, lemon juice and cranberries make for a light but flavorful salad.

	Mediterranean Wraps Fresh peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes fill these delicious wraps.

	Southern Caviar This quick dish is great as a snack or an appetizer.

	Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli and Cashews Enjoy this take on Asian cuisine with this main dish.

	Edamame Succotash with Shrimp This flavorful entrée is full of vegetables and protein. Experiment with this dish by adding more (and different!) vegetables.

	Summer Panzanella Salad This healthy and delcious salad is light but filling.

	Oven-Fried Chicken You won’t miss deep-fried chicken after trying this healthier alternative.

	Smokey Greens This recipe retains the great nutrients of greens without reducing the flavor.

	Spicy Thai Coconut Shrimp Rethink your standard church supper with this fresh take on Thai food.

	Gouda Macaroni and Cheese Using low-fat ingredients minimizes the fat while spinach and whole-wheat ingredients boost the flavor and the nutritional value.

	Lemon Green Beans Lemon, garlic and light butter do all the work in this simple side dish.

	Ministry Moments

	Reflecting through Art in San Marcos, Nicaragua Last winter Threefold Ministries invited the women in their community to reflect on domestic violence through art.

	Gospel and Good People, Getting Together The Wednesday Night Ministry at Pacific Beach UMC, which began by providing weekly meals, now provides free medical services through a student-run free clinic.

	Building Freedom One Ramp at a Time SAWs, or Servants at Work, a ministry in Indianapolis, Indiana builds ramps for people who would otherwise be trapped by their financial circumstances and their physical challenges.

	Providing Food for the Body and Soul Caritas Village is a community coffee shop and cultural center in Binghampton, one of the city’s most diverse and underserved neighborhoods.

	Building Community on the Roof This New York City congregation developed a small-scale rooftop vegetable farm.