Barb Powell

Call for Workshop Proposals for First-Ever Gathering of Faith-Based HHS Organizations in March 2026

By Barb Powell | April 11, 2025

In a first-ever collaborative effort, four faith-based health and human service organizations will hold The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Spirit, March 24-26, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis. Some 500 attendees are expected from the four associations: UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM), Mennonite Health Services (MHS), Methodist Ministries Network (MMN),…

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Emmaus Staff and Client Advocates Bring Disability Awareness to Missouri State Legislators

By Barb Powell | April 11, 2025

For the past three years, members of the advocacy team at Emmaus Homes in St. Charles, Mo., show up in full force at the Missouri State Capitol for Disability Rights Legislative Day (DRLD). But on Feb. 26, 2025, Emmaus raised the level of involvement as 84 Emmaus direct service providers, staff, supporters, and clients traveled…

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CHHSM Retreat Offers Insights into Times of Transition for UCC Heartland Conference Summer Camp Volunteers

By Barb Powell | April 11, 2025

Volunteer ministries require special commitment and dedication, traits that are tested during times of change. To facilitate a new way of doing outdoor ministry in the UCC’s Heartland Conference, Jill Frey, executive director of outdoor ministries, asked the UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries to offer a leadership retreat for the conference’s summer…

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Digging Deeper, Stepping Up: Annual Gathering Filled with Inspiration and Joy

By Barb Powell | March 19, 2025

The Council for Health and Human Service Ministries’ (CHHSM) 87th Annual Gathering, held March 11-13, 2025, in Boston and Cambridge, Mass., filled the hearts, minds, and senses of attendees with meaningful worship, inspiring workshops and keynotes, joyful conversations, and poignant moments.  Centered around the theme, “Into the Deep: Casting Nets of Justice,” the focus was…

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Annual Gathering Wednesday Worship Becomes ‘Harambe’ Moment for all

By Barb Powell | March 19, 2025

The Rev. Darrell Goodwin, executive conference minister of the UCC’s Southern New England Conference, preached about the power of a unified CHHSM during the Wednesday evening worship service of the 87th Annual Gathering. Held March 12, 2025, at Old South Church UCC in Boston, the special service included the consecration of the current graduating class…

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UCC GMP Thompson Charges CHHSM Members to Wade Deeper, and Find Strength in God’s Love and Presence

By Barb Powell | March 19, 2025

The opening worship service of CHHSM’s 87th Annual Gathering was filled with moment of joyful celebration and moments of somber reflection. Held March 11 at 11 a.m. at First Church of Cambridge (Mass.), Congregational UCC, the service included a sermon by UCC General Minister and President the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson and the…

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Connect, Collaborate, Learn: Sponsoring Friends and Partners Express Importance of CHHSM Annual Gathering

By Barb Powell | February 13, 2025

The theme of this year’s Annual Gathering — March 11-13, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge, Mass. — is “Into the Deep: Casting Nets of Justice.” The event will explore ways in which CHHSM members and their community partners can use bold action to encourage collaboration and dedication in creating a more just and compassionate…

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Second Cohort for CHHSM Scholar Finalists Provides Mentoring and Financial Assistance to Innovative Leaders

By Barb Powell | February 13, 2025

An unusual coming together of funding has created new blessings for the UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) and the finalists of its Rev. Jerry Paul Scholar Program, or CHHSM Scholar Program. Beginning this spring, and through the 2025-2026 academic year, the three finalists not selected as this year’s CHHSM Scholar will form…

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UCC Love of Neighbor Retreat Gets to the Heart of Team Ministries

By Barb Powell | February 13, 2025

Amidst global concerns, pre-election stress, and other outreach initiatives, team leaders from the UCC’s Love of Neighbor ministry met in late October 2024 for a two-day CHHSM-led retreat, “Love of Neighbor: Connecting and Collaborating from the Heart,” to refocus on the why and how of their work. Held at Lakewood (Ohio) Congregational UCC, the retreat…

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Early Bird Registration Opens for CHHSM’s 87th Annual Gathering

By Barb Powell | January 15, 2025

Registration for CHHSM’s 87th Annual Gathering, which takes place March 11-13, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge in Massachusetts, is now open. The hotel sports views of the Boston skyline and the Charles River, and is close to Harvard University, MIT, and many shopping and eating venues. The theme of this year’s Annual Gathering is “Into the Deep:…

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