Council for Health and Human Service Ministries

Arcadia Family of Companies Finds Successful Ways to Re-Open Some Resident Activities in its Life Plan Communities

By Barb Powell | July 10, 2020

As some communities across the United States begin loosening COVID-19 restrictions, so, too, are many CHHSM member organizations. The Arcadia Family of Companies, based in Honolulu, recently reopened several activities in its Life Plan Communities of Arcadia and 15 Craigside. Careful restrictions and rules are in place to ensure safety, but thanks to responsible residents…

COVID-19 Supply Challenges Met, Thanks to Innovative Approach at United Church Homes

By CHHSM-Member Ministry Contribution | June 30, 2020

When United Church Homes (UCH) welcomed Phil Darling as its newest director of procurement and supply chain earlier this year, few could have imagined the trajectory of the supply challenges ahead. Darling joined the team March 16, just days after federal officials announced the closure of all skilled nursing and assisted living communities to nonessential…

CHHSM Annual Report Highlights Member Ministries ‘Making a Difference Together’

By Barb Powell | June 24, 2020

Member organizations’ accomplishments are among the many highlights contained in “Making a Difference Together,” the 2019 Annual Report from the UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries. Released June 24, the report is available online, and offers inspirational stories from CHHSM members across the United States, which point to flourishing ministries in their own…

Retirement Housing Foundation Stalwart Trnka dies at 90

By CHHSM-Member Ministry Contribution | June 18, 2020

The Rev. John Edward Trnka Sr., D.Min., age 90, of Newburgh, Ind., passed quietly from this life on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family. Trnka was known as many things: Reverend, Doctor, Air Force officer, Chaplain, mentor, friend, Diplomate, Chairman of the Board, Shriner, (Moolah, St Louis) Cardinals fan, Disney-lover,…

Advocate Aurora Health, Beaumont Health Explore Partnership Through Non-binding Letter of Intent

By CHHSM-Member Ministry Contribution | June 17, 2020

UCC-related Advocate Aurora Health and Beaumont Health have been exploring a potential partnership. Following approval last week by the Boards of Directors, today both organizations signed a non-binding letter of intent that paves the way to deeper discussions to create a leading health care system that would span across Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. “We are…

Hope

By Michael Readinger | June 11, 2020

Be the change that you wish to see in the world. — Mahatma Gandhi The CHHSM Board of Directors held their first ever virtual meeting via Zoom last week. We gathered for 10 hours over three days in two- to two-and-a-half hour blocks of time. I strongly recommend this structure over an all-day Zoom meeting…

Advocacy Toolkit: June Release Features Needs and Care of Older Adults

By Barb Powell | June 10, 2020

The role of the church and its ministries in serving and advocating for the needs of older adults is the focus of the June installment of the Be A Voice Advocacy Health and Human Services Toolkit. A project of the UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) and Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM)…

Letter Makes 73-year Journey to Parkvue Community Recipient

By Barb Powell | June 10, 2020

Not long after Easter Sunday 2020, Betty Smith received a letter from her dad, which he sent to her at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio. What makes this event more than just another dad sending a student a letter from home is the postmark: April 29, 1947. Today, Smith, 92, resides at Parkvue…

For Fairhaven Senior Services, it’s a Community-Wide Job to Stay Safe During the Pandemic

By Barb Powell | June 8, 2020

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and for the staff and residents of UCC-related Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater, Wis., life during the pandemic fits the bill. During the week of May 18, Fairhaven provided COVID-19 testing for all of its 420 residents and staff members. This included Fairhaven’s Prairie Village 55+ community as well…

Two Phoebe Allentown Employees Receive LeadingAge PA Statewide Service Awards

By CHHSM-Member Ministry Contribution | June 5, 2020

Emmanuel “Manny” Njamfon, a licensed practical nurse at UCC-related Phoebe Allentown (Pa.), has received LeadingAge PA’s 2020 Distinguished Service Award for Caregiver of the Year for licensed caregivers, and Sharon Bender, a housekeeper at Phoebe Allentown, has received LeadingAge PA’s 2020 Distinguished Service Award for Staff Member of the Year. The Distinguished Service Awards Program,…

Join Our Mailing LIst

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow on Facebook

The entire CHHSM family is grieved to learn of the sudden and untimely passing of our friend, colleague, and Nollau Leadership Institute classmate the Rev. Derek Terry, executive director of the UCC Open and Affirming Coalition. CHHSM holds Derek’s friends and family in prayer. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

Quick Links