Barb Powell

2026 Nollau Institute Class Members Connect in Journey to Serving Leadership at First Retreat of the Year

By Barb Powell | June 16, 2025

Eager participants in this year’s Nollau Leadership Institute class arrived at Bellwether Farm in Wakeman, Ohio, in May for the first retreat of the year. Held May 19-23, 2025, the retreat gathered people from across the UCC, from CHHSM organizations and chaplaincies to the UCC’s national setting, regional conferences, and seminaries. By week’s end, the…

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CHHSM Brings Leadership Growth and Development Retreat to UCC’s Southern New England Conference

By Barb Powell | June 16, 2025

Answering a call from the Southern New England Conference of the UCC (SNEUCC), CHHSM brought a leadership retreat to the full SNEUCC conference staff in early April. The one-day event included both leadership development and time for personal growth and reflection for staff members who’ve hit the ground running in their conference roles. SNEUCC is…

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CHHSM-Led Retreat at UCAN Offers Opportunity to Link Renewal and Restorative Justice

By Barb Powell | June 16, 2025

Staff members at UCAN in Chicago usually find the day-to-day realities of direct client service rewarding, but the work also can be exhausting. A CHHSM-led Nollau To You retreat April 16 helped staff members connect with their spirituality and professional purpose in support of their work with youth, families, and the community. “Purpose and Peace:…

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Mississippi’s ‘Your Barefoot Neighbor’ Rallies International Online Community in Massive Food Drive for Back Bay Mission

By Barb Powell | May 13, 2025

Not too long ago, Matthew Bounds was working in a regular job like the rest of us. But these days, he’s Your Barefoot Neighbor, an impactful online influencer who doles out easy-to-make, favorite hometown recipes and creates community. And as his most recent fundraiser for Back Bay Mission (BBM) in Biloxi, Miss., shows, that online…

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Through CHHSM Nollau To You, Hoyleton Staff Discovers Renewal and Purpose

By Barb Powell | May 13, 2025

A recent Council for Health and Human Service Ministries Nollau To You retreat at Hoyleton Child & Family Services in Fairview Heights, Ill., gave team members — from direct care supervisors to executive staff — a unique opportunity to both recharge and increase their leadership skills. Held April 9 and 10, 2025, the four retreat…

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Archway’s Mosaic Campus Earns Multiple Honors for Community Impact, Affordability, and Historic Preservation

By Barb Powell | May 13, 2025

Archway Communities’ Mosaic Community Campus in Denver was recognized in April 2025 with multiple awards for its transformative approach to affordable housing, historic preservation and community revitalization. These statewide and local honors mark a major milestone for Archway Communities and the adaptive reuse project’s many partners, underscoring the impact of collaboration and mission-driven development.  Mosaic…

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Call for Workshop Proposals for First-Ever Gathering of Faith-Based HHS Organizations in March 2026

By Barb Powell | April 11, 2025

In a first-ever collaborative effort, four faith-based health and human service organizations will hold The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Spirit, March 24-26, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis. Some 500 attendees are expected from the four associations: UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM), Mennonite Health Services (MHS), Methodist Ministries Network (MMN),…

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Emmaus Staff and Client Advocates Bring Disability Awareness to Missouri State Legislators

By Barb Powell | April 11, 2025

For the past three years, members of the advocacy team at Emmaus Homes in St. Charles, Mo., show up in full force at the Missouri State Capitol for Disability Rights Legislative Day (DRLD). But on Feb. 26, 2025, Emmaus raised the level of involvement as 84 Emmaus direct service providers, staff, supporters, and clients traveled…

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CHHSM Retreat Offers Insights into Times of Transition for UCC Heartland Conference Summer Camp Volunteers

By Barb Powell | April 11, 2025

Volunteer ministries require special commitment and dedication, traits that are tested during times of change. To facilitate a new way of doing outdoor ministry in the UCC’s Heartland Conference, Jill Frey, executive director of outdoor ministries, asked the UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries to offer a leadership retreat for the conference’s summer…

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Digging Deeper, Stepping Up: Annual Gathering Filled with Inspiration and Joy

By Barb Powell | March 19, 2025

The Council for Health and Human Service Ministries’ (CHHSM) 87th Annual Gathering, held March 11-13, 2025, in Boston and Cambridge, Mass., filled the hearts, minds, and senses of attendees with meaningful worship, inspiring workshops and keynotes, joyful conversations, and poignant moments.  Centered around the theme, “Into the Deep: Casting Nets of Justice,” the focus was…

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