Barb Powell
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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MorePaige 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,…
Read MoreDonna 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…
Read MoreMaking 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.…
Read MoreIn 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…
Read More“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…
Read MoreFor 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…
Read MoreThe 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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What’s the Buzz? Beekeeping Returns to Plymouth Place - CHHSM
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There’s a buzz around Plymouth Place in La Grange Park, Ill., and it’s not just conversations among residents and staff. Some 40,000 bees have taken up residence in two beehives on the campus, and...