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February 2013 wpaumc.org
Agents of Shalom
God wants us to be whole. The Christian understandings of wholistic health are drawn from the Bible. In the Hebrew tradition, a human being was a living nephesh--a unity of body and soul. When persons were in right relationship with God, they were in a state of shalom (health-wholeness-peace). In the Christian Greek tradition, persons who were whole had soteria (salvation). Salvation was viewed not just as a spiritual state, or a physical state, but in its whole context. Wholistic health is not new. Scriptures are filled with stories of Jesus ministering to the whole person, caring for body, mind and spirit. Nor is “wholistic” misspelled or synonymous with “holistic”. Each word has a distinct meaning. The term “wholistic” should be used when speaking of health ministry and faith community (parish) nursing to more clearly relate to the concept of wholeness; “holistic” connotes non-religious alternative health care practices. United Methodists have a historical foundation of wholistic care. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, emphasized healthy bodies and minds, as well as saving souls. His book, The Primitive Physic or an Easy and Natural Method of Curing Diseases, provided medical advice that was affordable to even the poorest in society. In it, he continually emphasized preventive care and healthy living. Today in many congregations, as agents of shalom, faith community (parish) nurses and other health ministers care for the whole person. Their ministry is based upon the healing ministry of Christ. A faith community nurse is a registered nurse with specialized training who has been called to provide intentional care of the spirit while using nursing knowledge to promote wholistic health and prevent or minimize illness. In Western PA, the vision of the Health as Wholeness ministry team is to create “communities of wholistic wellness” throughout the Conference through Pathways to WHoly Living. The team offers resources and programs for individuals, congregations, clergy and their families. Among them are the Golden Sneaker Award/Walk Challenge and training for faith community nurses and congregational health ministries. In addition, the United Methodist Church offers downloadable resources and online tools for both congregations and clergy through the UMC Health Ministry Network. It’s a partnership between UMCOR and the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits. Get details and other resources at wpaumc.org/health.
---Barb Lewis, R.N., chair, Health as Wholeness Team
Bible Study and Prayer
Join United Methodists throughout Western Pennsylvania in studying these Bible passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and praying for these congregations and leaders. January 28 - february 3, 2013 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany -- green Read: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 Pray for: ✟ Thorncreek/Emory Chapel/Connoquenessing UMCs, Butler Dist., Kurtis Knobel, pastor ✟ West Springfield/Cranesville UMCs, Erie-Meadville Dist., Robert Klingler, pastor; Deborah Hills, deacon ✟ Franklin: Galloway UMC, Franklin Dist., John Seth, pastor ✟ Circleville UMC, Greensburg Dist., Raymond E. Lyon, pastor
February 4 - february 10, 2013 transfiguration--white Read: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43) Pray for: ✟ Connellsville: Otterbein UMC, Connellsville Dist., Raymond B. Hill, pastor ✟ Creekside UMC, Indiana Dist., Timothy J. Goodman, pastor ✟ Bethel/Tucker UMCs, Butler Dist., Kenneth R. Jacobs, pastor ✟ Sharon: First UMC, Franklin Dist., Richard L. Roberts, pastor
february 11 - february 17, 2013 first sunday in lent -- purple Read: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13 Pray for: ✟ Homestead: Eighth Avenue Community Ministries, Pittsburgh Dist., Keith Kaufold, pastor ✟ Corry: Evangelical/Elgin UMCs, Erie-Meadville Dist., David Ewing, pastor; Janet Sill, CLM ✟ Coalport Charge, Johnstown Dist., Paul G. Fields, pastor ✟ Charter Oak UMC, Greensburg Dist., Christian Whitehead, pastor; Donna Gabler, associate
february 18 - february 24, 2013 second sunday in lent --purple Read: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35 Pray for: ✟ Chalk Hill/Sansom Chapel UMCs, Connellsville Dist., Robert Rabenstein, pastor, Carol Friend, CLM ✟ Weis Library UMC, Erie-Meadville Dist., Frank E. Hodges, pastor ✟ Homer City UMC, Indiana Dist., Joseph R. Stains, pastor ✟ Franklin: Nicklin/Polk: Center UMCs, Franklin Dist., Stephanie D. Thompson, pastor
february 25 - March 3, 2013 third sunday in lent -- purple Read: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63: 1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9 Pray for: ✟ Duke Center UMC, Kane Dist., Gary Sheesley, pastor ✟ Dutilh UMC, Pittsburgh Dist., Dwayne Burfield, pastor; James Gascoine, associate; Debra Pisor, deacon ✟ Cresson/Gallitzin/Amsbry UMCs, Johnstown Dist., Joy A. Blackburn, pastor
&
Flame
February 2013 wpaumc.org
Agents of Shalom
God wants us to be whole. The Christian understandings of wholistic health are drawn from the Bible. In the Hebrew tradition, a human being was a living nephesh--a unity of body and soul. When persons were in right relationship with God, they were in a state of shalom (health-wholeness-peace). In the Christian Greek tradition, persons who were whole had soteria (salvation). Salvation was viewed not just as a spiritual state, or a physical state, but in its whole context. Wholistic health is not new. Scriptures are filled with stories of Jesus ministering to the whole person, caring for body, mind and spirit. Nor is “wholistic” misspelled or synonymous with “holistic”. Each word has a distinct meaning. The term “wholistic” should be used when speaking of health ministry and faith community (parish) nursing to more clearly relate to the concept of wholeness; “holistic” connotes non-religious alternative health care practices. United Methodists have a historical foundation of wholistic care. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, emphasized healthy bodies and minds, as well as saving souls. His book, The Primitive Physic or an Easy and Natural Method of Curing Diseases, provided medical advice that was affordable to even the poorest in society. In it, he continually emphasized preventive care and healthy living. Today in many congregations, as agents of shalom, faith community (parish) nurses and other health ministers care for the whole person. Their ministry is based upon the healing ministry of Christ. A faith community nurse is a registered nurse with specialized training who has been called to provide intentional care of the spirit while using nursing knowledge to promote wholistic health and prevent or minimize illness. In Western PA, the vision of the Health as Wholeness ministry team is to create “communities of wholistic wellness” throughout the Conference through Pathways to WHoly Living. The team offers resources and programs for individuals, congregations, clergy and their families. Among them are the Golden Sneaker Award/Walk Challenge and training for faith community nurses and congregational health ministries. In addition, the United Methodist Church offers downloadable resources and online tools for both congregations and clergy through the UMC Health Ministry Network. It’s a partnership between UMCOR and the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits. Get details and other resources at wpaumc.org/health.
---Barb Lewis, R.N., chair, Health as Wholeness Team
Bible Study and Prayer
Join United Methodists throughout Western Pennsylvania in studying these Bible passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and praying for these congregations and leaders. January 28 - february 3, 2013 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany -- green Read: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 Pray for: ✟ Thorncreek/Emory Chapel/Connoquenessing UMCs, Butler Dist., Kurtis Knobel, pastor ✟ West Springfield/Cranesville UMCs, Erie-Meadville Dist., Robert Klingler, pastor; Deborah Hills, deacon ✟ Franklin: Galloway UMC, Franklin Dist., John Seth, pastor ✟ Circleville UMC, Greensburg Dist., Raymond E. Lyon, pastor
February 4 - february 10, 2013 transfiguration--white Read: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43) Pray for: ✟ Connellsville: Otterbein UMC, Connellsville Dist., Raymond B. Hill, pastor ✟ Creekside UMC, Indiana Dist., Timothy J. Goodman, pastor ✟ Bethel/Tucker UMCs, Butler Dist., Kenneth R. Jacobs, pastor ✟ Sharon: First UMC, Franklin Dist., Richard L. Roberts, pastor
february 11 - february 17, 2013 first sunday in lent -- purple Read: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13 Pray for: ✟ Homestead: Eighth Avenue Community Ministries, Pittsburgh Dist., Keith Kaufold, pastor ✟ Corry: Evangelical/Elgin UMCs, Erie-Meadville Dist., David Ewing, pastor; Janet Sill, CLM ✟ Coalport Charge, Johnstown Dist., Paul G. Fields, pastor ✟ Charter Oak UMC, Greensburg Dist., Christian Whitehead, pastor; Donna Gabler, associate
february 18 - february 24, 2013 second sunday in lent --purple Read: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35 Pray for: ✟ Chalk Hill/Sansom Chapel UMCs, Connellsville Dist., Robert Rabenstein, pastor, Carol Friend, CLM ✟ Weis Library UMC, Erie-Meadville Dist., Frank E. Hodges, pastor ✟ Homer City UMC, Indiana Dist., Joseph R. Stains, pastor ✟ Franklin: Nicklin/Polk: Center UMCs, Franklin Dist., Stephanie D. Thompson, pastor
february 25 - March 3, 2013 third sunday in lent -- purple Read: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63: 1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9 Pray for: ✟ Duke Center UMC, Kane Dist., Gary Sheesley, pastor ✟ Dutilh UMC, Pittsburgh Dist., Dwayne Burfield, pastor; James Gascoine, associate; Debra Pisor, deacon ✟ Cresson/Gallitzin/Amsbry UMCs, Johnstown Dist., Joy A. Blackburn, pastor
