February 11, 2006
HMA Health and Spirituality Workshops across the U.S.
Spirituality and Health have always been companions in faith traditions.
Community of Christ has long upheld this concept of wholeness of individuals
and communities as central to the church’s mission. Community of Christ
Health
Ministries Association (HMA) promotes workshops “out of the hope for a hurting
world that lies in the healing power of God, expressed in medicine and
spirituality working together,” stated Ron Gillilan, MD.
HMA will sponsor three Health and Spirituality workshops in 2006:
Baltimore, Maryland, May 19–21; Phoenix, Arizona, September 15–16; and
Independence, Missouri, September 22–23. Registration is now open.
Dr. Gillilan, Maryland program director, cardiologist, and evangelist
explained, “I have seen great strides made in our ability to diagnose and
treat sick patients. The faith community has also learned much about healing.
The behavioral and social maladies of today make it apparent that healing of
the human spirit is a basic need for many who are ill.”
The Baltimore workshop, “Medical Science and Healing of the Spirit,” will
explore the healing connection between faith and science. Panel discussions
and sessions will focus on heart disease, caring for the sick, the healing
church, and spirituality in health and disease, Reiki, art therapy,
consequences of chronic stress and anger, music therapy, and faith based
healing. Visit http://healingworkshop.org for more information.
Phoenix’s “Spirituality and Health” event will explore congregational and
community ministries that promote holistic understanding of individual and
community health. Joy Weydert, MD will provide the keynote, “Integrating
Spirituality and Health.” Rich Kohlman, Community of Christ coordinator of
Staff Pastoral Services, will speak on “Sabbathing: Neglect at Your Own Risk”.
Other sessions will explore providing, supporting, and nurturing health and
wellness with topics of moving prayer, writing psalms, Five Wishes program,
pet therapy, pathways to healing, and sacred rhythm of rest. Visit
http://azCofChrist.org
for more information.
“Spiritual Communities: Dealing with Life Issues” is the 4th annual
workshop at the Temple in Independence, providing hands-on skills to handle
life challenges. Bioethics will be the focus of the keynote, “Living with
Dying,” by Sister Rosemary Flanigan.
The skill-building sessions are designed to assist unordained, ordained,
and health professionals to be better informed and given simple tools to use
to cope and minister in their families and their congregations with difficult
life issues such as mental health, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder), dementias and Alzheimer’s, nutrition and herbs, prayer, caring for
ourselves and others, and multi-cultural end-of-life issues.
HMA promotes workshops “out of the hope for a hurting world that lies in
the healing power of God, expressed in medicine and spirituality working
together,” said Dr. Gillilan. For more details contact HMA at
HMA@CofChrist.org
or (816) 833-1000, ext 2262.
—Paula Rummel reporting
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