Dear Health Ministries Network Community,
Welcome to the table of abundance! This photo was taken at the Harvest Festival at Paradise Gospel Church in Maple Falls. Invited by our neighbors in the Mt. Baker Foothills to attend their service, my family and I marveled at the table that had been set before us. And when I asked if I could take a photo of this beautiful spread of fruits and vegetables, flowers and grains, I was invited to take whatever I wanted from the offering. I took a picture. That was plenty to fill me up--for in this time, what needed filling was my heart, and the offer of love that the community extended was good.
In this month when our hearts turn toward thankfulness, I hope that the very real abundance that we enjoy, whatever the measure, and the gratitude that we feel, pours out into our families, communities and this world.
Join us for our monthly meeting--a meeting of stories and gratitude, in which we will come together simply to check in, share and be grateful for time together in community. Our meeting will be held on Friday, November 18th, 12-1:30pm via Zoom. Why Zoom? Some folks ask why we Zoom when much of the world has opened back up. We are all over--some of us are attending during a work lunch break--and some remain rightfully cautious around exposure to communicable disease. So we look forward to seeing you safely, conveniently and gratefully on Zoom! Please see the link below.
This month, we also invite you to participate in Native American Heritage Month by picking up one of the good books by talented indigenous artists and recommended by Darrell Hillaire of Children of the Setting Sun Productions. These are listed in our Creative Offering this month--consider these the dessert of our newsletter!
And please take time to peruse the many opportunities that make up the cornucopia of community offerings throughout this November newsletter. Please take good care of yourselves and your community. Wishing you continued peace, health, and love.
Yours in gratitude and more gratitude,
Sarah Lane
Executive Director
We are in that season of cold weather--and it has happened suddenly. How do we care well for our neighbors? You can know your local cold weather shelters. For updates on the open/closed status of each facility in Whatcom County, call the night-by-night shelter hotline at (360) 788-7983 or visit the Emergency Severe Winter Shelter page of the Whatcom County website. For information in Skagit County, click here. In San Juan County, click here.
HMN November Meeting: Sharing Stories and Gratitude
We look forward to this month's meeting, as we come together from all over and share stories and offer our gratitude. All are invited to join us, connect and reconnect, and care for one another!
We will have a time of meditation and prayer--and all traditions are welcome and honored. We'll share our joys and sorrows, ask questions and simply honor one another with our presence.
Everyone is welcome! Please join us via Zoom on Friday, November 18th, 12-1:30pm.
Please contact Sarah Lane with questions at director@healthministriesnetwork.net
HMN October Monthly Meeting Video and Notes: the Chardi Kala Project
Thank you so much to Kamalla Rose Kaur and Yashpreet Singh for offering an informative and beautiful presentation to our HMN community. If you missed it, you can access the replay here.
Further, here are a few good notes:
A Healthcare Guide for healthcare workers supporting the Sikh Community: https://www.sikhcoalition.org/resources/sikhism-healthcare-guide/
To get to know the Chardi Kala Project in Whatcom County or to schedule a presentation for your faith community, contact:
Kamalla Rose Kaur
The Chardi Kala Project
510 375 2603
Roselotus@aol.com
https://thechardikalaproject.org/
When greeting a member of the Sikh Community, you may say: "sat sri akal," pronounced Saht Shree Akahl.
And . . . you are ALWAYS welcome at the Gurdwara in your area for a delicious meal. We will be coordinating a Sunday afternoon meetup at one of the Whatcom Gurdwaras--stay tuned for the date and time.
Please contact Sarah Lane with questions at director@healthministriesnetwork.net
Foundations Course 2023 Updates!
In this month of gratitude, I want to thank all who make our annual Foundations Course possible. I want to thank our instructor, Bill Lonneman, our coordinator and instructor, Carol Nicolay, all of our guest speakers, all those who donate generously to the Jean Billings Tischler Education Fund and all those who have taken the course and used this training to initiate health ministry and support health equity across communities.
In 2023, we'd like to put all of our support behind the PLU course, also taught by Bill Lonneman, that is coming up in January 2023, rather than host our own class in April 2023. We'd like to bolster enrollment in a local course, scholarship as many as possible from our Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan and Island Counties and place our focus and emphasis on fortifying the FCNs/HMs/CHAs who come out of this course to start or continue vibrant health ministries in our area.
Here is your invitation to share this course, apply for the course, or learn more about this course. Please ask questions or request a scholarship form from Sarah Lane at director@healthministriesnetwork.net.
Health and Human Services Learning Opportunities in November
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the U.S. Learn the symptoms and care for RSV and when to call a healthcare professional. And share this infographic on how to prevent RSV.
Wed., Nov. 16, 2022, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. ET.
HHS’s Administration for Community Living (ACL) is promoting this webinar hosted by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) on incorporating Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed (PCTI) principles into end-of-life care for older adults with a history of trauma and their family caregivers. Register here.
Consumers can now visit HealthCare.gov to view detailed information about 2023 health insurance plans and prices offered in their area in advance of the 2023 Marketplace Open Enrollment period that begins November 1, 2022. This year, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, more people will continue to qualify for help purchasing quality health coverage. It is estimated that thirteen million Americans will continue to save an average of $800 per year on their health insurance. Four out of five customers will be able to find a plan for $10 or less after subsidies. Start shopping here!
Community Events & Info
In an effort to connect our volunteers with relevant resources, we publish community events and information in our monthly newsletter and on our website. Email director@healthministriesnetwork.net to add your own.
It's Diabetes Awareness Month!
As the seasons change, as we move inside and prepare for holiday events, as we slow down . . . what better time to be with our bodies, our health and our community, to take those steps, small or large to care well for ourselves and our families.
From the CDC:
"According to national statistics, likely one-third of your patients older than age 18 have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. More than eight in 10 of those individuals do not know their risk . . . . CDC supports this lifestyle change program because research shows it works. A randomized controlled clinical trial showed that completing this lifestyle change program reduced program participants’ chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% compared to placebo (71% for individuals aged 60 and older), nearly twice as much as the reduction among the group taking metformin (31%).
You can refer your at-risk patients to a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program that is proven by research to cut their risk of type 2 diabetes by more than half. Participating in this program will encourage weight loss and other healthy changes to your patients’ lifestyles, lowering their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and stroke." So what Diabetes Prevention Programs are available to you today? In Whatcom County, we have two, and insurance may provide assistance with these: WSU Whatcom County Extension or other Extension offices.
Whatcom Family YMCA (or look to your local YMCA, wherever you are!
From NSACH: Mental Health Matters
Mental Health Matters will host a "Social Media and The Youth" roundtable with Dr. Lucia Magis-Weinberg, discussing the benefits and disadvantages of social networks for our young people. This event is free, in Spanish (with simultaneous interpretation to English), and will be held virtually!
Research has shown that young adults who use social networks are three times more likely to suffer from depression, which puts a large portion of the population at risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In the United States, suicide rates continue to be a serious concern among our younger generation. Join this event and learn how to support our young people because social networks are here to stay! To sign up please click here.
All about 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from SAMSHA
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
Creative Offering
Throughout November, Children of the Setting Sun Productions we will be highlighting some of the amazingly talented Indigenous artists and authors who have impacted our lives. Here are a few recommendations from Darrell Hillaire, Executive Director of CSSP, said are must reads for everyone. (If you ever need a good book recommendation, Darrell’s your guy! He is always reading and learning)
Support HMN
Help us support the invaluable work of faith community nurses and health ministers in northwest Washington by donating today!
And thank you to our fiscal sponsor,
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