Resources Now Online for UCC Health and Human Service Sunday Resources, Jan. 30

The UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries recently released resources for Health and Human Service Sunday, which takes place Jan. 30, the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany.

The resources include liturgical elements and prayers written by the Rev. Dr. Elyse Berry, CHHSM’s associate for advocacy and leadership development, along with suggested readings for the day, and a graphic suitable for placing in church bulletins.

“Health and Human Service Sunday is an important day in the church year, as we lift up the serving leadership of our more than 400 CHHSM member ministries,” said the Rev. George Graham, vice president of CHHSM. “CHHSM members are on the front lines each day, bringing care and compassion to everyone in their communities. Our member agencies also advocate for equitable and inclusive access to health care, affordable housing, and work towards becoming an anti-racist world.”

Often founded by local UCC congregations, CHHSM agencies include UCC-related health care centers, hospitals, affordable housing and retirement communities, transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness or domestic violence, and service centers for children, youth, families, and those with developmental disabilities.

“As we begin the new year, one phrase we’ve been using to focus our work is ‘Forward Together,’ the theme of the 2022 CHHSM Annual Gathering. But ‘Forward Together’ is so much more: it is the grounding for all the work we do in CHHSM — moving ‘Forward Together’ to create a more equitable, diverse, inclusive and compassionate world for all,” said Berry. “The liturgy for Health and Human Service Sunday expresses that same theme. ‘Liturgy’ means ‘work of the people,’ and this special Sunday is a way to acknowledge the collective work that is bringing healing to our world.”

The 2021 liturgical elements include a greeting, call to worship, opening meditation, litany for collective care, prayer of confession, call to offering, offering prayer, and benediction.

“Health and Human Service Sunday is an opportunity for local churches across the United States to create awareness about the justice issues in health care, and share information about various UCC-related health and human service ministries,” says Michael J. Readinger, CHHSM president and CEO. “Not only do CHHSM members provide health care and human services; they also advocate for the people they serve. Health and Human Service Sunday recognizes the many people who work to create just and equitable health care every day.”

Access resources for Health and Human Service Sunday.