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Our vision
...that every Episcopal congregation becomes a vibrant, caring place of health and wholeness.
Our mission
...to promote health ministry in Episcopal congregations, assisting them to reclaim the Gospel imperative of health and wholeness.
Whenever you enter a town...
heal the sick in it and say to them,
"The kingdom of God is come near to you."
Luke 10:8-9
Our commitment
National Episcopal Health Ministries is committed to:
Christ as Healer
Health as a holy, natural and continuous process
Stewardship of the body and all God's creation
Authentic and holy relationships
Integration of the inner journey and the external life
Reconciliation in a broken and fragmented world
"The church is called to exercise a ministry of
healing that emphasizes relationship and
community, the body's natural powers of
healing, medical knowledge and skills to
assist restoration of health or relieve pain,
and the knowledge that we are mortal yet
born for eternity."
--Archbishop William Temple, in
The Truth Shall Make You Free, 1944
Who we serve
Those we serve are:
Health ministers who promote health and healing within Episcopal congregations
Episcopal congregations
Episcopal clergy
Episcopal dioceses and provinces
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How we serve
We serve by:
Educating leaders for Episcopal health ministry and parish nursing
Supporting those engaged in health ministry in Episcopal congregations through membership opportunities
Providing resources to local congregations, diocese and provinces
Collaborating with other faith communities, institutions and health organizations
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Our relationship with The Episcopal Church (TEC)
...is through the Rev. Melford (Bud) Holland, who serves on the Board of National Episcopal Health Ministries. Bud Holland is on the staff of the national church center in New York City, where he leads the Office of Ministry Development. National Episcopal Health Ministries is incorporated separately as a 501c3 not-for-profit organization.
"All members of the Episcopal Church have a
responsibility to care for their bodies as
temples of God, which includes healthy minds
and spirits, the utilization of preventive
medical care, healthy diets, regular exercise, and
the avoidance of all types of substance abuse."
--Report of the Standing Committee on
Human Affairs and Health), Journal
of the General Convention, 1991
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Our Board of Directors
The Rev. Gordon Chastain, Priest, Indianapolis, IN. President
Dr. Betty Carrington, Ed.D., Cambria Heights, NY.
The Rev. Joel Harvey, PhD, Priest and Chaplain, Brooklyn, NY
John C. Hoard, JD, Attorney, Carmel, IN. Treasurer
The Rev. Melford (Bud) Holland, Coordinator, Office of Ministry Development, Episcopal Church, USA
The Rev. James Lemler, Priest-in-Charge, Christ Church Greenwich, CT
Scott Evenbeck, Dean, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN.
Susan Wahlstrom, Parish nurse, Sutter Creek, CA. Regional Council Chair
The Rev. Richard Winters, Priest, Indianapolis, IN
The Rt. Rev. John Rabb, Bishop, Diocese of Maryland
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Our history
1996
The first meeting of National Episcopal Health Ministries is held to coincide with the annual meeting of the Health Ministries Association. St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Indianapolis funds the meeting. The mission is articulated: "To scatter seeds of health ministry throughout the provinces and diocese of the Episcopal church in the USA, thereby assisting local congregations in reclaiming the gospel mission of health and wholeness." An informational booklet is completed: An Episcopalian Answers Questions about Parish Nursing.
1997
The Health Ministries Leadership Academy for New Directions (LAND) is held Boulder City, NV. Participants are commissioned to represent NEHM in their respective Provinces. National Episcopal Health Ministries debuts the book Health Ministry in the Local Congregation at its booth at General Convention.
1998
National Episcopal Health Ministries presents at the annual meeting of the Assembly of Episcopal Healthcare Chaplains. The manual Steps to a Health Ministry in Your Episcopal Congregation is completed and distributed.
1999
The Endowment for Mission and Ministry of St. Paul's, Indianapolis, funds a half-time position for Jean Denton as Executive Director. National Episcopal Health Ministries enters into an agreement with the International Parish Nurse Resource Center to teach the endorsed curriculum to prepare parish nurses.
2000
The course "Education for Episcopal Health Ministry and Parish Nursing" is taught to 25 students at the Seabury Institute of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. A Strategic Planning Retreat in September results in a structure including a governing Board of Directors, and the Regional Council, an operations group. The mission statement is revised: "To promote health ministry in the Episcopal Church, assisting local congregations to reclaim the Gospel mission of health and wholeness."
2001
The Board of Directors holds its first official meeting, with JoAnne Grace as President. The Regional Council begins its work, with Beverly Bennett as Council Chair. "Education for Episcopal Health Ministry and Parish Nursing" is taught again at Seabury Institute. The manual is revised extensively, and An Episcopalian Answers Questions about Health Ministries and Parish Nursing replaces the previous booklet. The web site debuts: www.EpiscopalHealthMinistries.org.
2002
National Episcopal Health Ministries begins producing its quarterly newsletter, Body & Soul.
2003
NEHM produces a 15-minute video, Body & Soul: Health Ministry in the Episcopal Congregation. Diocesan Liaisons are appointed to serve in local dioceses; by the end of the year, there are liaisons in 32 of the 100 dioceses. In October, the National Concerns Committee of the Episcopal Church, USA, passes a resolution to "commend National Episcopal Health Ministries for its pioneering efforts in establishing health ministry in local congregations."
2004
"Education for Episcopal Health Ministry and Parish Nursing" is held twice: at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, in March; and at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul in Los Angeles, CA, in November. NEHM incorporates and becomes a tax-exempt not-for-profit organization.
2005
"Education for Episcopal Health Ministry and Parish Nursing" is held in Greenwich, New York supported by student scholarships from the Diocese of Albany. The book Good Is the Flesh is released by Moorehouse Publishing. A total of 90 new health ministers and parish nurses have been trained since the founding of NEHM's course offerings.
2006
NEHM partners with Church Pension Group and CREDO to offer an oasis for people at General convention (Columbus). Susan Wahlstrom, Carol Sullivan, Margaret Hiett Williams and Ginny Wagensellar staff the booth; Rita also assists for a day. NEHM gives away "door hangers" and CPG provides pedometers with NEHM's logo on them New products are introduced at the GC: Walking Wherever, Whenever, Mindful Eating, Seeking Health Care Justice, Adult Forum on Health Ministry. Course offered in Diocese of Indianapolis, with 8 participants, one of whom is from Mexico City. Staff changes in September: Jean Denton completes service as director, and Derek parker resigns as he relocates. Rita Goldenberg steps up to serve as a consultant, an Interim director. Diane Beyer is hired to become the new Program Administrator.
2007
Matthew Ellis is hired as Executive Director. Scott Evenbeck and Bishop John Rabb join the Board of Directors. Province III Regional Representative Carol Sullivan is certified to teach parish nursing courses by the International Parish Nurse Resource Center and holds her first training in August. NEHM makes a presentation of prayer shawls to bishops and their spouses during the September House of Bishops meeting. NEHM makes plans for its first conference to be held in March 2008 at Kanuga.
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Our staff
Matthew Ellis is the Executive Director, effective January 1st, 2007. His background includes working in all levels of program development and execution. His previous experience includes working as a Human Services Consultant at Healthy Families Indiana (HFI), Indianapolis; an Independent Contractor in Fort Wayne, IN specializing in policy development; and Director of Sales and Training for Datatude, Inc., Fort Wayne, IN.
Matthew has a Bachelor of Arts, Psychology from LaGrange College in LaGrange, GA. His volunteer and part-time experience has involved Secretary of the Board of Directors for Reach For Youth, Inc; Big Brothers/Big Sisters; fundraising with the Multiple Sclerosis Society and facilitating the PACE Parenting Program.
Diane Beyer is the Program Administrator. Diane is a former employee of Church Pension Group in the Parish Payroll Program. Her original college training was in art education. She is currently a member of an ELCA Lutheran Church in Westfield, IN. | 
