Setting a New Table

I wrote Setting a New Table for HopeandHealing.org that uses feast accounts of Peter and Jesus to help imagine a table that considers the health needs of everyone at that table. Links to healthy recipes created in the Church Health Center’s Teaching Kitchen are available at the end of the article.

On My Way to Work Today…

My daily commute takes me through one of Memphis’ poorer neighborhoods. As I was driving today, I noticed that someone had hung a green wreath with a purple bow on a light pole. For four consectutive lights, there was the same kind of wreath.
This is not a neighborhood where the city will hang holiday banners, so someone had decided on their own to make their block of this city a little more festive.

Advent is a season of possibilities. It is a season of peace and reconcilliation. It is a season of anticipation that light might shine in the darkness. It is a season where a few green wreaths with purple bows on an otherwise desolate stretch of street herald in the season as they silently say, “Come, Jesus, come.”

Healthy Holiday Traditions

My coworkers at Church Health Center have written an article on HopeandHealing.org that offers 10 suggestions for creating a healthier holiday season for you and your family.

Routine Mammograms Beginning at Age 50?

Another article reported by the Washington Post reports on a Federal panel’s recommendation about delaying routine mammogram screenings until the age of 50. Being a part of a family that has been touched by breast cancer in dramatic ways, I worry about this finding. At the same time, I believe that the health care reform debate will spark more studies like this that place under a microscope long-held practices in medical care.

Physicians might find it helpful to their faith communities to hold information sessions on such tests as mammograms, the PSA (prostate specific antigen) and other screening tests so that lay people can make better sense of this debate.

Hunger Problem in America Growing

A troubling article in the Washington Post reports that the economic crisis in this country has led to an all-time high in people who are lacking sufficient food. Quoting the article by Washington Post Staff Writer Amy Goldstein, “Food shortages, the report shows, are particularly pronounced among women raising children alone. Last year, more than one in three single mothers reported that they struggled for food, and more than one in seven said that someone in their home had been hungry — far eclipsing the food problem in any other kind of household.”

From church food pantries to Feeding America to Angel Food Ministries, there are numerous ways communities of faith can do their part to reduce this problem.

Fantasy Football, Pink Cleats and Breast Cancer Awareness

I am what is known as a fantasy football rookie. In the private league in which I participate, one of my best drafts was DeAngelo Williams, who played for the Tigers of the University of Memphis. The article below appeared in the New York Times and was written by Judy Battista. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NFL players will be wearing pink gloves, sweatbands and the like. Williams, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, had the idea of adding pink cleats.

Of course, the Panthers have a bye this weekend, so I must figure out a replacement player for DeAngelo. Any suggestions?

Pink Cleats to Show Support of Breast Cancer Awareness

CaringBridge – Helping loved ones stay in touch during difficult times.

I stumbled onto this website last night. I had heard of it when a family friend was very ill, but I wanted to share it with my blog visitors. CaringBridge offers free websites to people who are sick and need a way to communicate with family and friends. This allows a primary caregiver to update everyone on the progress or status of the person for which they are caring. It also allows a single place where family and friends can communicate back. When my family was communicating with someone through CaringBridge, it was a wonderful service for everyone involved.

Care for Caregivers

A visitor to my blog asked me about caring for caregivers. This article posted by my friends at HopeandHealing.org is titled “Care for Your Caregiver.” I think it is the kind of article nurses and other medical professionals could give to their patients in long-term care as a way to advocate for the family member or friend who is their primary caregiver.

If you have a special article or advice to offer caregivers or those in their care, I hope you will comment here and link to the article so others may learn. Peace, Butch

Swine Flu

With the nation being brought to alert about Swine Flu, I wanted to share with my readers the website from the Centers for Disease Control which gives numerous links to additional information and prevention tips. Congregations are wonderful places to disseminate reliable health information. As public spaces, congregations must also be mindful of ways to minimize the potential spread of diseases such as Swine Flu.

You should also check out my more recent post on churches responding to swine flu.

The Season of Resurrection

An Earth Day Reflection

The editors of hopeandhealing.org have posted a reflection I have written for Earth Day that suggests that one way to honor this day is to consider those members of your congregation who live with asthma. I hope you enjoy this reflection and find it helpful.

The Season of Resurrection