Barb Powell

United Church of Christ CHHSM Ministries Serve Others Amid Opioid Crisis

By Barb Powell | August 13, 2018

M. battled opioid addiction for almost two decades. First oxycodone and alcohol. When that wasn’t enough to numb his anguish, cocaine. Finally, heroin. Two days after being released from a short-term recovery program, M. relapsed. As the injected heroin coursed through his veins, his dangerously-enlarged heart gave out. At the age of 39, M. lost…

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CHHSM to Sponsor Resolution on Opioid Crisis at 2019 UCC General Synod

By Barb Powell | August 13, 2018

The UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries has announced that it will sponsor a resolution on the opioid crisis at the UCC’s 2019 General Synod, to be held June 21-25, 2019, in Milwaukee, Wis. The resolution will address two prongs of the crisis: access to treatment and the actions of pharmaceutical companies. “Now…

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Bartz to Leave Council for Health and Human Service Ministries Staff Team

By Barb Powell | August 13, 2018

The Rev. Danielle K. Bartz has announced her resignation from the CHHSM staff team, effective Aug. 31, 2018. Bartz, who has served as associate for leadership and advocacy with CHHSM for 5-1/2 years, will become pastor of  First Congregational UCC in Winona, Minn. “It has been a true joy to serve CHHSM in the many…

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Volunteer Intern Deepens Faith, Discovers Call Through UCC CHHSM Ministry Experience

By Barb Powell | August 2, 2018

Paige Bobbitt didn’t quite know what she was in for when she agreed to travel away from her home near Columbus, Ohio, in 2017. But her landing place — CHHSM’s iFM Community Medicine in St. Louis — became the launching point for her future. Bobbitt, a member of Saint Andrew Christian Church in Dublin, Ohio,…

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UCC Missouri Mid-South Conference, CHHSM Ministries Partnership Works to Create Just World for All

By Barb Powell | July 31, 2018

Donna Smith-Pupillo, executive director of Deaconess Nurse Ministry in St. Louis, sees little difference when talking about her work and that of Deaconess’ partner, the United Church of Christ’s regional Missouri Mid-South Conference. “We partner with the conference because we are a part of the conference,” Smith-Pupillo says. “We are not a separate entity, but…

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For UCC Shelter Care Ministries, It’s All About Providing Hope

By Barb Powell | July 25, 2018

Making a difference: that’s a unifying theme among the many United Church of Christ shelter ministries operating in towns and communities across the United States. Some of the CHHSM members provide overnight facilities, some have day centers. Others provide various kinds of transitional housing. But they all fill vital needs for the people they serve.…

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CHHSM Family and Children Ministries Called to Love Neighbor, Children by Serving ‘Strangers Among Us’

By Barb Powell | July 11, 2018

In keeping with the United Church of Christ’s 3 Great Loves initiative, CHHSM’s child, youth and family service ministries often are on the front lines in providing support and care to migrant and immigrant persons. While challenges such as language and cultural barriers are unique, CHHSM members are finding that many of the needs immigrant…

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Beatitudes Campus Partners with Horizon House, United Church Homes to Bring Comfort to Persons with Dementia

By Barb Powell | July 10, 2018

“What is the most rewarding is when you get someone comfortable and they tell you that they love you.” These words, from a staff member at United Church of Christ-related Trinity Community — a United Church Homes senior living community in Beavercreek, Ohio — were expressed during a recent accreditation survey at the community as…

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New Plymouth Place Leader Finds Calling in a Place Called ‘Home’

By Barb Powell | July 10, 2018

For Jay Biere, assuming the role of chief executive officer of UCC-related Plymouth Place Senior Living in LaGrange, Ill., is like coming home — to his children and grandchildren who live in the area, and to his sense of call. Biere, who started at Plymouth Place in January, says he felt that sense of call…

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CHHSM Annual Report Emphasizes Ministry in Action Through UCC’s 3 Great Loves Initiative

By Barb Powell | July 10, 2018

The UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries has released its 2017 Annual Report. While summarizing its member ministries’ events of the past year, the report also looks eagerly to the future as it describes the many ways CHHSM members embody the UCC’s 3 Great Loves initiative through action and service. For example, almost…

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