ABC board focuses on wellness, plans 'Lighten Up, Brethren!'

The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) board learned of a newly revamped Wellness Ministry during meetings March 18-19 in Elgin, Ill. ABC provides publications, education, and faith opportunities that encourage the church to do caring ministries as the work of Jesus Christ.

The Wellness Ministry's seven-person committee met a day prior to the board to develop a new mission statement and activities for the coming year. The ministry hopes to challenge Brethren to adopt healthy living behaviors by focusing on "metabolic syndrome"--obesity, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and high cholesterol. These medical conditions, while affected by genetics, can be reduced by lifestyle changes. To raise awareness about the consequences of the syndrome, ABC will provide information under a campaign titled "Lighten Up, Brethren!"

Other goals for the ministry include engaging the church in the current public debate about health care delivery, access, finance reform, and stewardship of healthcare resources. The ministry also will promote simple living, "which is healthy and spiritually centered living," said Kathy Reid, ABC 's executive director and staff liaison for the ministry. The ministry's mission "is an enduring sign of our belief that every person is a treasure, every life a sacred gift, every human being a unity of body, mind, and spirit," she added.

Vernne Greiner, ABC board and Wellness Ministry member, committed to losing ten pounds before the board's next meeting in September, and challenged the board to embrace the campaign by doing the same. Seven other board members accepted the challenge.

In other business, the ABC board approved a new structure for peace church work in health and senior care, as an outgrowth of collaboration between ABC, Friends Services for the Aging, and Mennonite Health Services Alliance. The new structure will allow joint projects to be housed under Peace Church Management, a nonprofit corporation already created by the three groups.

The board heard reports on the Annual Forum, a conference for executives and staff of Brethren retirement centers April 21-23 in North Manchester, Ind.; and Caring Ministries Assembly, a conference for deacons, pastors, chaplains, and caregivers Aug. 11-13 in Bridgewater, Va. The board also participated in a development program on Pietism in the Church of the Brethren.

Source: 03/30/2005 Newsline