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Health Ministries

Upcoming: Health Ministries Reading Group

How Does Jesus Heal?

Sometimes with a touch...
He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her …
—Mark 1:30

Sometimes with a word …
Jesus answered them . . . Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you”, or to say, “Stand up and walk?” But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the one who was paralyzed—‘I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.’
—Luke 5:22-24

Always with faith and compassion …
Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
—Mark 1:41-42

Why does Jesus Heal?

If we look closely at all of the stories of Jesus’ healing, we see that they are never just about treating physical maladies. Through his healing, people are not only made well again, but can now make healthy connections, with God, with other people and within themselves. Jesus’ concern is for a deeper healing, that involves the body, mind, and soul, that allows them to be restored to their communities and to their faith.

What can you do?
In the Gospel of Luke, after Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan who risked his own standing and comfort to care for an injured traveler, he bids each of us to “Go and do likewise …”
What does the Health Ministries Committee do?

  • Raise up Health Ministry as an integral part of St. James’ mission, recognizing its central role in the Christian tradition
  • Increase parish awareness of existing health ministries at St. James’ by regular preaching, teaching, and leadership training
  • Enhance existing ministries such as healing prayer, intercessory prayer and support groups
  • Actively promote and support the creation of parishioner led small group ministries

    Where two or three are gathered …

    Health Ministries is focused on fostering a holistic sense and understanding of health. As such, we seek to empower parishioners who are passionate about ministries that make room for spiritual, mental and physical health to flourish; ministries that increase the connectedness and balance of the lives of our parishioners, the parish and the world around us.

    Are you feeling called to begin a health ministry?

    If you are feeling moved to explore a new health ministry, you can begin by prayerfully considering how your ministry will fit into the mission and goals of both St. James’ and Health Ministries, at this point it may be helpful to discuss your idea withthe Rev. Martie Metzler The next step is to find one or two others who are also passionate about this ministry; as the Book of Ecclesiastes tells us, “a threefold cord is not quickly broken …” Then provide us with an initial description of your ministry by filling out the Health Ministry Form. We will present your idea to the Health Ministries Committee to discuss supporting your ministry.

     

     

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    St. James' Church 865 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10021 (212) 288-4100 www.stjames.org