Stay connected on PHEWA Community
Find resources for observing Criminal Justice Sunday
In 2010, the General Assembly voted to reinstate observance of "Criminal Justice Sunday" in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as well as approving some funding “to support a broad convocation of interested individuals, to be called by PHEWA, to consider and propose the creation of a Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association (PHEWA) network on criminal justice for education and advocacy ministries…”
The resources available here grow out of the ministry of a Presbyterian lay pastor, and former PHEWA board member, who has worked with incarcerated women in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the past eleven years.
While the Presbyterian Planning Calendar designates January 29 as Criminal Justice Sunday in 2012, additional resources will be identified and added throughout the year in the hope that congregations will designate a Sunday of their own choosing to emphasize criminal justice issues in the context of worship.
For more information or to share your own ideas, contact the Rev. Trina Zelle, PHEWA National Organizer/Executive Director.
Observe Health Awareness and Day of Prayer for Healing and Wholeness
February 19, 2012
PHEWA’s Presbyterian Health Network (PHN) has developed resources for observing 2012 Health Awareness and Day of Prayer for Healing and Wholeness. This year’s theme is Faithful Care of Our Bodies: Our Most Important Tool for Ministry.
- Linking Faith and Health
- Who Cares?
- How a Congregation Can Help Promote Healthier Living & Eating
- Ten Commandments of Faith and Fitness
- Sample Sermons
- Suggestions for Prayers
- Suggested Hymns & Scripture
- Suggestions for Congregations for Observing a Day of Prayer for Healing and Wholeness
- Resources for Faithful Care of Our Bodies
- Contact the PHN Leadership Team & Consultants
Register for the Criminal Justice Consultation
February 17-19, 2012 | Stony Point, New York | Stony Point Conference CenteR
Is this what the Lord requires of us?
As people of faith and conscience, we know the answer. We know that we are commanded to “do justice and love mercy.”
Participants representing every aspect and area of criminal justice are coming together to share their experience and best practices in order to create a Criminal Justice Network with the capacity to educate, organize, and mobilize faith communities and persons of faith to do the work of justice and mercy.
- Over 2,300,000 adults are incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails
- Approximately 15-20 percent of inmates suffer from chronic mental illness
- From 1990 to 2009, the private prison population grew by 1600 percent
- Companies are replacing workers with contract prison labor
- Persons of color are more likely to receive the death penalty
- 400,000 non-violent, undocumented immigrants are incarcerated every year
Help keep PHEWA justice ministries strong
Dear PHEWA friend and supporter:
It’s that most wonderful time of the year! A season of hope, when we reflect on our blessings and look to the future. For PHEWA members and friends, it’s that time when we recommit to PHEWA’s cutting edge ministries and:
- Renew our PHEWA membership
- Resolve to increase our personal involvement in its ministries
- Consider a year-end gift to ensure PHEWA’s financial stability
To that end, PHEWA’s board of directors has set a fund-raising goal of $50,000 by year’s end and $150,000 by May 2012. They have not only set this goal, they have led the way by pledging (and already paying) close to $10,000 towards meeting it.
Conference to address criminal justice crisis in the U.S.
Formation of new PHEWA network in planning stages
by Jerry L. Van Marter
Louisville - A consultation on the complex issues surrounding criminal justice in the United States has been scheduled for Feb. 16 – 18, 2011 at Stony Point Conference Center in New York.
This consultation ― authorized by the 2010 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ― is the result of collaborative efforts on the part of the Presbyterian Health Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA), the Presbytery of Hudson River and the Presbytery of New York City. Read the whole story
Kentucky Presbyterian group urges scrutiny of big health insurers, with eye to possible divestment
By Johanna W.H.van Wijk-Bos
On Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted at its regular stated meeting, held in Glasgow, Ky., to send an overture to its 220th General Assembly. The overture requests of the General Assembly to instruct the committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) to report on the corporate practices of Cigna, Aetna, Humana, WellPoint, and UnitedHealthcare insurance companies to the General Assembly Mission Council.
It is the hope of those who have advocated for this cause in our Presbytery that other Presbyteries of the Church will join Mid-Kentucky and pass the Overture, so the endorsement may come to the General Assembly from as large a number of Presbyteries as possible.
The Rev. Trina Zelle called to serve as the new National Organizer for the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA)
By the Rev. Bebb Stone
President of PHEWA
The Rev. Trina Zelle
LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Trina Zelle has accepted the newly-formed position of National Organizer for the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA), a ministry of Compassion, Peace, and Justice Ministry, General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Rev. Zelle writes, “I am excited at the prospect of collaboration with experienced and committed leadership in strengthening and expanding this incredible organization.”
Giving opportunity to support the PHEWA Lead Organizer staff position
Here is the number you will need to designate monies from individuals, churches, presbyteries, and/or synods to support this critical lead organizer position for the PHEWA justice ministry networks around the country. Our sincere thanks for your continued and faithful support.
E052108 - PHEWA Faith-Based Community Organizer Position
Please consider yourself personally and respectfully requested to organize any of the Presbyterian communities where you serve to set aside some of their budgeted mission money for this purpose.
To make a gift to the PHEWA ECO account by check, note E052108 PHEWA and mail it to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
A crisis in ministry
by The Rev. Doug Mitchell
Associate Pastor for Faith in Action
Westminster Presbyterian Church
MINNEAPOLIS — Frequently in our church ministry, members and staff come into contact with people who have problems that go beyond their capacity to respond with caring and effectiveness. It is always our desire to respond to those who need our help with the utmost compassion, but on occasion we are faced with situations that are beyond our personal expertise. The Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA) provides the link between presbyteries, congregations, ministers and others with specialized, professional expertise at no cost to those asking for assistance. For more than 50 years, the PHEWA umbrella of networks has helped congregations and the church at large learn how to offer an inclusive welcome. They provide assistance in developing strategies for effective responses to a wide variety of needs encountered in the practice of ministry, both in the congregation and in the surrounding community.
Get the 2011 Domestic Violence Congregational Packet
The 2011 Presbyterians Against Domestic Violence Network (PADVN) Domestic Violence Congregational Packet focuses on the intersect between domestic violence and human trafficking. Individual pieces include:
- “Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence
- Intersections of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence: Things to be aware of during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October
- Power and Control Wheel
- “Human Trafficking: Modern-Day Slavery” Card
- The New Face of Slavery
- Identify and Assist a Trafficking Victim
- Theology and Worship Resources
- The Enslavement of Joseph and Modern Human Trafficking
- Book Review: The Johns: Sex for Sale and The Men Who Buy It
- Getting Involved: Resources and Advocacy
Disability Access/Inclusion Sunday 2011
Inclusion From the Inside Out: Welcoming God's Children of All Abilities
June 26, 2011
Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC) is offering our 2011 Inclusion Sunday resources to equip churches for inclusive ministry. The ideas and suggestions for worship and theology, confirmation and models of ministry come from actual experiences of writers who are committed to inclusion of children and youth of all abilities. It is our prayer that this packet will assist you in your ministry with all of God’s children.
Download PDC’s 2010 Disability Inclusion Resource Packet: The Wounds of War: The Church as a Healing Community
Responding to the Word
Celebrate the witness of PHEWA’s 2011 John Park Lee Award and Rodney T. Martin Award recipients.
2011 John Park Lee Award |
2011 Rodney T. Martin Award |
Comments
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Thank you for writing, John, to express vocational interest in the ministries of PHEWA and our ministry networks addressing addictions, disabilities, serious mental illness, health & wholeness, and specialized pastoral ministries. I'll reply directly to you via email. We appreciate your interest! susan stack phewa
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the phewa interests me as a vocation. where do i start?