Barb Powell

Early Bird Registration Open for The Gathering

By Barb Powell | January 13, 2026

Early bird registration is now OPEN for The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Spirit, to be held March 24-26, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis. With the theme, “Many Gifts, One Spirit,” The Gathering will draw some 500 leaders from Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker, and the United Church of Christ related health and human service associations for three days…

Bishop Named Vice President; McKenzie is Associate for Business Operations

By Barb Powell | January 13, 2026

The UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) is pleased to announce that Matthew Y. Bishop is its new vice president and chief operating officer (COO). He began work Dec. 15, 2025. Additionally, CHHSM welcomed Cynthia McKenzie in November 2025 as its new associate for business operations. Matt Bishop “CHHSM is excited to…

New Health and Human Service Sunday Resources Focus on Good News Expressed in the Ordinary

By Barb Powell | January 13, 2026

The UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) recently released resources for Health and Human Service Sunday, which takes place Jan. 25, 2026, the Third Sunday after Epiphany. The resources help UCC churches, CHHSM members, and friends bring the message of serving leadership and support for all health and human service workers to their local congregations and worship…

Puentes de Esperanza, un programa de Hoyleton, organiza dos iniciativas para apoyar a clientes inmigrantes en el sur de Illinois

By Barb Powell | December 12, 2025

Special thanks to Hoyleton Youth and Family Services Puentes de Esperanza’s Patricia Merz and Edda Berti for this translation of the feature story into Spanish. The translators worked with a slightly earlier version of the story. La ayuda de Hoyleton Youth and Family Services en Fairview Heights, Illinois, beneficia a clientes en todo el sur…

Hoyleton’s Puentes de Esperanza Hosts Two Firsts to Support Immigrant Clients in Southern Illinois

By Barb Powell | December 11, 2025

The outreach of Hoyleton Youth and Family Services in Fairview Heights, Ill., extends to clients throughout southern Illinois, many of whom often have nowhere else to turn. One of its programs, Puentes de Esperanza (“Bridges of Hope”), extends a much-needed lifeline to immigrants and their families. Recently, Puentes accomplished two firsts in the struggle to help immigrant families. …

Registration to Open this Week for Ecumenical Gathering of Health and Human Service Ministries

By Barb Powell | December 11, 2025

Registration opens later this week for The Gathering, the conference of faith-based human service organizations taking place March 24-26, 2026, in Indianapolis. The Gathering’s soon-to-be-launched event website will include the registration page. Centered on the theme “Many Gifts, One Spirit,” The Gathering brings together health and human service leaders from five faith traditions: Methodist, Mennonite,…

Boundary Training Retreat Brings Grounding, Restorative Space to UCC Missouri Mid-South Clergy

By Barb Powell | December 11, 2025

Partnership is the recurring theme in most CHHSM-related activities. Recently, the UCC’s Missouri Mid-South Conference asked CHHSM’s the Rev. Elyse Berry to collaborate on its annual clergy retreat. The successful retreat was held Nov. 13-15 at the Kabekona Hills Retreat Center in Rolla, Mo. Berry, CHHSM’s associate for advocacy and leadership development, facilitated the ritual/spiritual…

Christmas Fund Advent Resources Filled with Spirit of the Season; Drive Helps Active and Retired Clergy

By Barb Powell | November 13, 2025

The UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries and Pension Boards-United Church of Christ have again teamed up to bring all settings of the church this year’s Christmas Fund Advent resources, including the four weeks of Advent and Christmas Eve. The 2025 Advent liturgical resources were created by the Rev. Dr. Elyse Berry, CHHSM’s…

Nollau Institute’s Second Retreat Gives Participants Fresh Eyes to Realize Their Leadership Potential

By Barb Powell | November 13, 2025

The second retreat of the Nollau Leadership Institute class of 2026 took place Oct. 6-10, 2025, at Bellwether Farm in Wakeman, Ohio. The retreat built on the first retreat’s emphasis on the personal aspects of leadership to explore organizational life, coaching strategies, restorative and social justice in the workplace, and other leadership skills.  The second…

Crossroad Looks to the Future through Logo Update and Website Refresh

By Barb Powell | November 13, 2025

Crossroad Child & Family Services in Fort Wayne, Ind., has a refreshed look. In October, the CHHSM agency unveiled its new logo and refreshed website. “On Oct. 2, 2025, Crossroad unveiled our new logo— the third in the organization’s 142 years of service,” said Liz Bergren, chief development officer. “We chose to unveil our new…

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