Matthew Ellis

The end of the year brings two types of articles: Best-of Lists and New Year's Resolutions. Here's a round-up of some ways to make 2012 your best year yet!

See full coverage of World AIDS Day from our partners at National Episcopal AIDS Coalition.

We are very proud of the quality and diversity of workshops offered at our conferences. If you would like to present at our 2012 conference, please complete the submission form by December 15. See you there!

From ERD: Minot, ND is seeking volunteers to rebuild after major flooding. Read more to see how you can help!

ECW National is devoting the next issue of their Communiqué publication to women's health ministries! Please help make this issue a success by telling them about your ministry by October 15! Additional details after the jump.

I love this sign in All Saints, Chicago! Hopefully your parish has a similar sign highlighting your health ministry work!

Pastor Michael Minor stirred a bit of controversy at his northwest Mississippi church when he banned fried chicken from the fellowship hall.

Appalachian Initiative Grants are intended to be used as seed money for organizations to seize opportunities of a one-time nature. On-going operating costs will not be given priority. Successful applications will usually involve helping Appalachians address regional issues such as poverty, health care, unemployment, education, cultural affirmation, or the environment through direct service.

Applications for 2011 and 2012 Jubilee Ministry grants are now being accepted in four categories for mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church. A great opportunity for health ministry grants!

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of John Miers. John served NEHM as the diocesan liaison for the Diocese of Washington. He was a presenter at our first national conference and active with NEHM, especially around issues of Alzheimer's and HIV/AIDS. He will be dearly missed.

NEHM joined religious leaders representing 25 faith groups around the country today in calling for the Major League Baseball Players Association to agree to Commissioner Bud Selig’s proposed prohibition on tobacco use at games. The faith leaders join a growing coalition of medical groups, public health officials and fans that is urging baseball to prohibit smokeless tobacco use in the contract that is to take effect next year.

While AIDS continues to infect and kill people -- the U.S. Centers for Disease Control report that more than 18,000 people with AIDS die annually in the United States and an estimated 56,300 Americans become infected with HIV each year -- perceptions, treatment and the demographics of the disease have changed since the 1980s. The church's awareness of and response to AIDS have changed along with them, with some Episcopal ministries growing and evolving, others dwindling. Yet the need remains, advocates say.

Lynne LeBlanc of Christ Church Charlotte has been a registered nurse since 1991 and a parish nurse since 2008. She has started a new blog for the parish. This entry is on the benefits of a low-cholesterol diet.

Our friends at the Church Health Reader have an excellent Lenten series devoted to healthy eating. Week 3 is focused on finding comfort.

It is easy to get confused by life. Faced with so many choices, we sometimes grow increasingly uncertain. When those times come, reflect on these four words: Do the Right Thing.

Download this free, updated version of Health Ministry in the Local Congregation! This e-book is graciously offered to us by the author, Stephanie Ulrich. Stephanie is a longtime friend of NEHM and a wonderful advocate for health ministry. Don't miss this great opportunity to grab this important guide!

Do you have an innovative health ministry you want to tell others about? Do you want to share your ideas and connect with others in health ministry? Propose a workshop for our 2011 conference, taking place in Burlingame, CA on May 19-21! Continue reading for more information. See you there!

"He listens to my ideas and treats me as a full fledged member of the church staff. I cannot begin to tell you how my ministry has grown due to his encouragement." NEHM is proud to commend the Clergy Leaders in Health Ministry for 2010. Please thank them for their support of this important work!

It's not too late to nominate clergy leaders in health ministry! Submit the online form for special recognition of clergy who have been particularly supportive of your ministry. Nominations due October 4!!

I've read a number of good articles on exercise lately and thought it might be useful to put them all in one place. We'll keep our eyes out for other hot topics in the news and do other roundups in the future!

No one had to tell me that a massage is good for you. That being said, I'm glad to know that science is now confirming what I already know!

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church created a free sports physical day entitled "Be a Player". They are happy to share with other churches how they coordinate this program, including logistics and materials.

NEHM is thrilled to announce its keynote speaker for its 2011 conference: Sara Miles, Journalist, Author of Take This Bread, and Director of St. Gregory's Food Pantry.

Health ministry can often be a form of community outreach. Read how one greeter used their blood pressure Sunday to invite someone inside.

I came across this blog recently entitled 'Mila's Daydreams: I'd like to see into your dreams, my little girl.' It's so creative and fun, it really is worth sharing. See for yourself!

Doughnut burgers? Deep fried butter? Is there any hope left for America?

At a recent gathering, Matthew Ellis and Bruce Strade of Northwest Parish Nurse Ministries in Portland, OR were discussing various challenges. Through this conversation, a new idea was born: Bike Ministry. What do you think? Read on for more details...

As the oil crisis in the Gulf continues, we ask that you continue to remember those who are suffering in your prayers. The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast has some resources for keeping up with the latest information, as well as pastoral resources.

Shingles result from reactivation of the chicken pox virus, which remains in the body after a childhood bout and is usually dormant in the adult. Up to a third of all adults who have had chicken pox will eventually develop one or both of these conditions, becoming debilitated for anywhere from a week to several years. Learn how to get your FREE Spotlight on Shingles Toolkit from NEHM.

NEHM is highlighting this blog due to its regular commitment to issues of health. The Texas Young Adults Ministry often highlights issues of health related specifically to young adults (but with relevance to those young at heart) and we'd like to make sure others know about their work!

In this entry, Matthew Ellis reflects on his day with the Diocese of Maryland during the program Health Care IS a Matter of Faith.

Text of the keynote address presented by NEHM executive director Matthew Ellis for the Diocese of Maryland's event.

It's been very busy here at NEHM. Look for upcoming blog posts for more information about what we've doing!

Here's where you can find coverage of the Called To Serve conference. What ideas/reflections did you take home from the conference?

“Healing the worst of the poverty in this nation is intrinsically connected to restoring human beings to right relationship with the rest of creation.”

With those words, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori presented the first keynote address and prepared the groundwork for the three-day conference Called to Serve: The Episcopal Church Responds to Domestic Poverty at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ. The following is the text of the Presiding Bishop’s keynote address.

On the eve of the conference Called to Serve: The Church Responds to Domestic Poverty, Matthew Ellis shares a reflection from Warren Buffett on the 'lottery of birth'. What does this mean for our responsibility to those in need?

Tucked among the new health care reform regulations is a requirement that restaurants with more than 20 locations must post calorie amounts on the menu. Matthew Ellis thinks this could have a profound effect on the future health of millions.

Saturday ends National Sleep Awareness Week. Proper sleep is often an issue for Matthew Ellis, although he's recently taken steps to address his sleep problems. Here is his experience.

Today, Roger Ebert will appear on Oprah. After three jaw surgeries and extensive complications, his appearance is not what most remember from his groundbreaking series 'At The Movies' with Gene Siskel. He is unable to speak, eat or drink and will use a computer generated voice for the interview.

On Thursday (February 25), the White House will host a health care reform summit to discuss the current proposals being offered. Here is a link to a side-by-side comparison of the plans and more.

The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is March 7-13, 2010. You can find the Presiding Bishop's letter addressing this week of prayer here. How will you participate?

After publicly cheering the Colts in this space last week, it's time for a nice helping of Humble Pie. Congratulations Saints. You deserve it.

NEHM is headquartered in beautiful Indianapolis. This weekend, our beloved Colts will try to win Indy's second Super Bowl in four years. Matthew Ellis tries to find a health connection to justify writing this post about Super Bowl 44.

Links to information from Episcopal Relief and Development's efforts in Haiti, including bulletin inserts and a link to the Haiti Fund.

This Sunday marks the beginning of the annual observance of National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). This blog post and the entry in our Events section contains links to resources to help publicize this important awareness campaign. National Influenza Vaccination Week is January 10-16, 2010.

Akira Kurosawa's inspiring film encourages us all to make the best of our time here on earth. Matthew Ellis reflects on the impact of this film in his own life and how its message can motivate us to lead an intentional life.

Big changes are hard to maintain. To accomplish your New Year's Resolution to get healthier, make small changes and stick with them. One place to start: popcorn at the theater.

For many, the holidays are a time of sadness. Perhaps the holidays have always been difficult or a loved one is especially missed.

In Part 2, we continue to highlight features of the new site.

Notice anything different? We've done more than just add a coat of paint. We've built a new home entirely for our site! Want to learn more? Click through using the Read More link for more information and highlights of the site.

A new H1N1 Flu Guide for Community and Faith-Based Organizations has been released by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Health Care Coverage For All: Discussion Guide For Churches is a free resource provided by the Bioethics Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee. It's an excellent resource and a great way to engage your congregation in the health care debate in a productive, Christ-centered way.