From the President

Looking Ahead

By Michael Readinger | September 13, 2018
Michael J. Readinger

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn! It’s a bit ironic to me when I hear people talk about the pace of work slowing down during the summer months. All this talk about the family vacations before school starts again, the sports leagues for the kids, the recreational activities for clients and residents, the outdoor festivals, concerts, professional…

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Farewell and Joy Be With You All

By Rev. Danielle Bartz | August 10, 2018

“The Parting Glass” is a traditional folk song that was, and still is, popular in Ireland and Scotland. When a gathering of friends would come to an end, the song would be sung. The “Parting Glass” was the final hospitality that would be given to a departing guest, something to fortify them for the journey.…

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Ministry in Action

By Michael Readinger | July 10, 2018
Michael J. Readinger

In this issue of Diakonie, the CHHSM Board and Staff are pleased to present “Ministry in Action,” the 2017 Annual Report of the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, United Church of Christ.  I hope that you will read it with care so that you can enjoy the stories of the hands and feet…

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Inspired Leaders (with a) Bold Vision (and) Shared Values

By Michael Readinger | June 14, 2018
Michael J. Readinger

Every June and November, I attend a full week of back to back Board meetings for CHHSM and then the National Benevolent Association (Christian Church, Disciples of Christ). Two weeks ago, I was with the CHHSM Board and Staff in Cleveland from Monday through Wednesday. On Thursday, I went to St. Louis to meet with…

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Creating a Movement

By Michael Readinger | May 14, 2018
Michael J. Readinger

There is a season, turn, turn, turn. — Pete Seeger It looks like summer is finally here in the Midwest. May days will soon lead to June, July and August. As I am writing this, we have an upper 80-degree day with sunny skies! For some odd reason, Peter Seeger’s lyrics from The Byrds’ 1965…

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Alleluia is Our Cry

By Michael Readinger | April 13, 2018
Michael J. Readinger

We are an Easter people. And Alleluia is our cry. — St. Augustine Life is so beautiful. The glories of every sunrise, every sunset, every full moon, every starlit sky. The joy of all those children, neighbors, the Earth, our pets, our friends, the sense of accomplishment or congratulations for a job well done, that…

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One Voice

By Michael Readinger | March 13, 2018
Michael J. Readinger

The CHHSM Annual Gathering has come and gone. But, for those of us who attended last week in St. Louis, the voices we heard will stick with us for quite a while. So many voices, from so many places, across so many miles, in more than one language. All coming together. As. One. Voice. Before…

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Extravagant Welcome

By Michael Readinger | February 14, 2018
Michael J. Readinger

It has been a couple of years since the United Church of Christ migrated away from the branding and marketing language that included Extravagant Welcome. But, as we finalize our preparations for the CHHSM Annual Gathering in St. Louis from March 1-3, 2018, it is clear that this language still applies whenever we gather as…

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In Covenant, Effecting Change

By Mary Paxton | January 15, 2018

Micah 6:8 tells us that we are required “to do justice, love kindness and to walk humble.” I have had the pleasure of having positions in my career that I considered to be a ministry: a ministry of touching people’s lives. My own life experiences, along with my work in the nonprofit sector, keep me…

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New Year News

By Michael Readinger | January 15, 2018
Michael J. Readinger

Welcome to 2018 Friends! As we enter the new year, I thought it would be nice to share the current state of affairs in the CHHSM world. This may be the first time you have heard some of this and some of this may be familiar, but it is worth telling you what has occurred…

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