First United Methodist Church

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Health Ministries is a new outreach of FUMCSB. It is an outgrowth of the mission of the larger church:

• Mission of the United Methodist Church
"To make disciples of Jesus Christ"
Book of Discipline, Paragraph 120

"To send persons into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, freeing the oppressed, being and becoming a compassionate, caring presence, and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel."
Book of Discipline, Paragraph 122

• The Mission of this Congregation
"To share the inclusive love of God which we know in Jesus Christ with each other, with the greater Santa Barbara community, and with the world"

• The Health Ministries Mission Statement
The Mission of Health Ministries at FUMCSB is to support the healing mission of the church: to share Christ's healing ministry to the whole person; heart, soul, mind, body, relationships, and social context.

• The Vision of Health Ministries
To nurture an inclusive community of spiritual health and healing outreach in the Spirit of Christ.

• Goal of Health Ministries in this Congregation
To develop a comprehensive program of Health Ministry for the congregation which will promote the concept and practice of health as part of spiritual wholeness and ministry.

HEALTH MINISTRIES AT FUMCSB

• Health Screenings & Services
Currently volunteer medical professionals from the congregation are providing a monthly blood pressure screening on Sunday mornings between services. Even in its first months of service, persons with potential health issues previously unknown to them have been identified.

• Health Education
Health Ministries is planning the following health education forums:
--The informed patient
--Keeping Healthy in a Toxic World
--A Healthy Heart
--Stressed Out!

• Disaster Preparedness
This congregation has had a long standing relationship with the Red Cross to serve as a referral site in case of emergency. Health Ministries is working with the local chapter to strengthen those plans and arrangements. Health Ministries is also doing a review of the emergency kits within the facilities.

• Blood Mobile
Arrangements have been made for a blood donor drive this November with collection to be held at the church on Sunday morning.

• Inoculations
Plans are being made to provide flu shots for the congregation.

• Parish Nursing
A long range vision for Health Ministries is to develop some form of parish nursing for the congregation that would provide health consultation, advocacy, education, and visitation.

• Health Contacts
Another development is to provide contacts and followup for those who are facing illness, surgery, and recovery.

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