Barb Powell

The Gathering to Feature Consecration of CHHSM’s Nollau Institute Class as Diakonal Ministers

By Barb Powell | February 12, 2026

One of the highlights of The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Spirit—which takes place March 24-26, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis—will be the recognition and consecration of this year’s graduating class of CHHSM’s Nollau Leadership Institute. The culminating event of the year-long Nollau program takes place Wednesday evening, March 25, at 5 p.m. at…

Former RHF President and CEO Joseph Dies at 87

By Barb Powell | February 12, 2026

UCC minister and affordable housing advocate the Rev. Dr. Laverne R. Joseph, 87, has died. The former president and CEO of Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF) passed away Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, after complications from a fall. Joseph, who led RHF for 33 years, received numerous accolades throughout his life for his justice work in the…

Enrollment Opens for Nollau Leadership Institute Class of 2027

By Barb Powell | February 12, 2026

Enrollment is currently open for the 2026-2027 class of CHHSM’s Nollau Leadership Institute. The signature health and human service leadership program has graduated some 300-plus participants as Diakonal Ministers in the past 20 years. The year-long Nollau program helps class members discern their call as Diakonal Ministers. A vocation for health and human service leaders from…

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…

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