wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Health-ministry van takes show on the road

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #9065 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

06012
Jan. 13, 2006

Health-ministry van takes show on the road

Mission on wheels will visit under-served areas

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - About 40 national staff members of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) braved rain and cold temperatures earlier this week to bless and
pray for the denomination's new health-education van as it was prepared to
hit the road for the first time.

	The shiny 35-foot-long white van, which left the Presbyterian Center
on its inaugural mission, is the centerpiece of a new ministry of the
PC(USA)'s National Health Ministries office.

	Health Mission on the Move (MOM) will roll into medically
under-served areas where health-care professionals and other volunteers will
address unmet medical needs and help people who feel isolated or alone. 

	"It was incredibly exciting to actually be loading our materials and
resources on the van, after three years of dreaming, visualizing and
planning," said Pat Gleich, the PC(USA)'s associate for National Health
Ministries (NHM).

	NHM, part of the PC(USA)'s National Ministries Division, provides
resources, health-awareness information and training to individual
Presbyterians, congregations and governing bodies in health-related
ministries.

	In the MOM program, health-education resources and congregational
ministry models will be provided, along with risk assessments, blood-pressure
checks, vision screenings and referrals to local health-care providers.
Direct support will be offered to people whose health problems can be
addressed through prevention, wellness education, diet and lifestyle changes.

	The program will connect with local providers to offer dental,
glaucoma, cholesterol, bone-density and auditory screenings.

	The van was purchased with grant money from the Presbyterian Women's
2004 Birthday Offering.  

	"It's exciting to be part of the launch of MOM, to see the gifts of
women around the church come to life," said Ann Ferguson, program coordinator
for Presbyterian Women. 

	The van's shakedown cruise was to take it to Presbyterian-related
Cook College and Theological School in Tempe, AZ.

	MOM was a central feature of an event at the college coordinated by
the National Health Ministries staff, including practitioners from the
Federal Bureau of Indian Health Services and nutritionists who will
demonstrate healthy meals and cooking methods. Volunteers will also offer
diabetes education and HIV/AIDS testing services.

	The bus carried resources that Native American leaders at the college
can take back to their congregations.

	At every MOM stop, NHM staff will identify local health services and
health-care providers and invite them to participate.

	Gleich said many Presbyterians from across the United States have
expressed interest in volunteering for future mission trips, and a number of
congregations in medically under-served areas want to host events featuring
the van.

	"It is very gratifying to see the level of interest in this program,"
she said. "We began distributing awareness materials less than a month ago,
and we have been contacted by Presbyterians from Washington state to Long
Island and the Gulf Coast."

	One important component of the program will instruct people about how
changing their behavior and being good stewards of their health can prevent
illness and injury.  

	"We try to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to health,
focusing on prevention, wellness and personal empowerment through health
education," said Alberto Clavel, NHM's project field coordinator and van
driver.

	Clavel said people often are surprised to learn that smoking or
neglecting to wear a seatbelt may be more likely to cause illness or injury
than a family history of cancer or heart problems.

	While the program focuses on medically under-served communities, it
will also visit areas with high rates of unemployment and high percentages of
people without health insurance.

	MOM will take a break from mission travel over the summer to provide
health-screening services at the PC(USA)'s 217th General Assembly in
Birmingham, AL, and at the Presbyterian Women's Gathering in Louisville.

	For more information about MOM or to volunteer, log on to 
www.pcusa.org/health/usa/news/missiononmove.htm; call (888) 728-7228, ext.
5793; or send an email to health@ctr.pcusa.org. To offer financial support,
visit www.pcusa.org/give/online/project?E051450.

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