| Events & News | |
FEBRUARY 2004
IN THIS ISSUE:
- In 2003, nearly 44 million Americans lacked health care coverage, an increase of more than two million in just one year; nearly 44 million uninsured Americans need care.
- Most of the uninsured - 8 out of 10 - are in working families; America 's uninsured workers and their families need care.
- Eight and a half million of the uninsured are children under the age of 18; America 's uninsured children need care.
- The health, jobs, families and lives of the uninsured are in constant jeopardy. These children, women and men live sicker and die younger simply because they do not have health insurance; those at risk, sick and dying need care.
- More than one in four currently uninsured adults have had severe problems with paying medical bills, problems that forced them to change their way of life significantly to pay these bills; those with financial problems need care.
We ask the question, how many of these people are in your congregation? Chances are great that it is your neighbor who is suffering and need someone to take a stand for them. Together we can take this stand.
The Interfaith Partnership is focusing on healthcare and healthcare disparities in the St. Louis region. IP will co-sponsor and participate in numerous activities to raise awareness of these issues, and equip congregations with tools to organize around healthcare needs. With the endorsement of our Cabinet and Board we are calling on congregations/clergy to talk about this important issue of healthcare throughout their worship service beginning the week of March 8, 2004.
Some congregations may call on their members to stand if they know someone or they themselves have been impacted by the lack of health insurance. Some may call on members to raise their hands by signing a postcard to their elected officials or shout as a sign of unity and outrage with current healthcare policies and practices.
May 10-16 is Cover the Uninsured Week. Click here to learn more. IP is encouraging congregations to begin addressing these issues now.
If your congregation would like additional healthcare information and materials on strategies you can use to effectively communicate the challenges our community is facing, please email Orvin Kimbrough and/or visit the Missouri Foundation for Health website. We also invite you to contact us today at (314) 531-4787 if you are interested in becoming a health advocate or volunteer for your congregation and joining a network of local people of faith working to improve basic healthcare access and health care policies for all at
Health Related Upcoming Events
Saturday, March 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Health and Faith in St. Louis: A Community StoryLee Institute Workshop
Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church
9450 Clayton Rd.
Recent work in our community has brought attention to the multiple barriers to achieving good health in St. Louis and the consequent poor health outcomes for our most disadvantaged community members. What is it like to confront a system that does not work well? How is the community coming together to improve wellness and access to quality care? How are we in the faith community called to listen to these concerns and work towards solutions? How are congregations already engaged in health ministries?Orvin Kimbrough, Executive Director and Jennifer Strayhorn, Project Director, Abraham's Children will both take part in this workshop. Joins us to hear stories about health and hope in St. Louis and see how you too can become part of the story. This event is sponsored by the Lee Institute . Reservations are required and include a box lunch. Workshop fee is $10/person.
Saturday, March 27, 2004 from 8:30 am to 12:30pm
Lead Safe Home Repair: How To Keep You And Your Family Lead Safe
Safety Support Services, Inc.
1410 S. JeffersonLead poisoning is the number one environmental threat to children under the age of six and is 100% preventable. Damage resulting from lead poisoning is permanent and can cause behavior problems, learning disabilities, loss of I.Q and many physiological problems. If your home was built before 1978 and you are thinking about starting any home repair projects, we highly recommend this session.
Interfaith Partnership, Faith Beyond Walls and Safety Support Services, Inc will sponsor a workshop, for individuals from the faith community interested in home repair, on lead safe work practices when doing a home repair project or remodeling and rehabbing. The workshop is limited to the first 25 participants. Cost of the class is only $10. Curriculum and instructors are provided by Safety Support Services, an accredited environmental consulting firm. Contact Kori Fellows Orr at (314) 531-4787 or e-mail to get enrolled.
ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN NEWS
Garden of Eden Job Openings
The Garden of Eden is seeking a Health Educator to assist congregations in community education and a Marketing Team to assist with publicity and promotions. Please contact Jennifer Strayhorn at the IP office or by e-mail for a job description and additional information.
The Garden of Eden is a local produce market, which provides fresh produce, dietary advice and healthy recipes, prepared by nutritionists. The market can be found at Union Memorial Church, 1141 Belt Ave. and is open every Saturday (even during the winter months) from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Garden of Eden is a joint effort of Interfaith Partnership, four local churches and St. Louis University's School of Public Health.
Healthy Mind, Body, Spirit
Healthy Mind, Body, Spirit is an initiative that seeks to provide resources and health education to members of congregations served by Abraham's Children.
Saturday, March 6th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cancer Awareness Program
Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church
4673 Labadie Avenue
Saturday, March 27th
Let's Talk: Healthy Children
Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church
5544 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
Friday, April 23rd at 7 p.m. (screenings begin at 4:30 pm )
5th Annual "Gospel for Heart Sake" (gospel concert)
Sponsored by the American Heart Association
Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church
5544 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m.
YADA Meeting
IP Dialogue House
418 East Adams Avenue (Kirkwood)
The YADA commission is a new effort to involve young adults in every aspect of our work. YADA seeks to attract individuals between the ages of 20-35 to provide a framework to stimulate more involvement by young adults in interreligious dialogue and to foster deeper relationships by promoting participation in educational and community service programs throughout the St. Louis region. YADA is open to anyone in this age. Contact Kori Fellows-Orr at (314) 531-4787 or e-mail for more info.
Thursday, March 11th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
A Jewish and Christian Response to Mel Gibson's "The Passion"
Eden Theological Seminary in the Schroer Commons
475 East Lockwood Avenue
Featured Speakers include Dr. Steve Patterson, Professor of New Testament, Eden Seminary and Rabbi Mark Shook, Senior Rabbi, Temple Israel of St. Louis.
Sunday, April 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Earth Day Tree Planting Project
Location to be determined
Participants will meet in Forest Park to plant trees. Call the IP office today to sign up. This is a partnership with Faith Beyond Walls and the Jewish Environmental Initiative. Click here to learn more about Earth Day.
RESOURCES NEEDED FOR INTERFAITH LIBRARY
The Interfaith Partnership is attempting to build a library of interfaith resources to be used by those wishing to learn more about various faith traditions. Please contact Interfaith Partnership for a list of books that are needed for this endeavor or download list here. If you feel there are resources that should be added to this list or resources that should be omitted from this list, please contact Eric C Fistler, Seminary Intern, at efistler@eden.edu . Thank you for your helping with this project!
If you missed the 2004 Make a Joyful Noise: A Festival of Music program you missed a wonderful afternoon highlighting the wealth of diverse religious musical expressions in the St. Louis region. The program began with an Islamic call to prayer followed by the blowing of the Shofar from the Jewish tradition complete with an overview of the meaning and purpose of the Shofar. Next a gospel choir took the stage with several rousing numbers inviting the audience to clap and move along with them. A collegiate Jewish acappella ensemble followed with a mix of traditional Jewish songs and contemporary Israeli pop songs. A Catholic music and liturgical dance ensemble came next with a Unitarian ensemble following with a mix of everything from religious hymns and spirituals to a jazzy number and an Irish folksong. The program ended with a powerful performance of gospel songs by the YMCA Boys Choir.
For nearly thirteen years the Interfaith Partnership has sponsored this eclectic event to acknowledge the richness of religious traditions in the St. Louis region and to provide a showcase opportunity for our choruses, choirs, chorales, soloists, instrumentalists and dancers. You won't want to miss it next year!
Thanks to the Music Committee for all their planning and to the following participants: Imam Hasic Muhammad, Rabbi Lynn Goldstein, Jennifer and Rebecca Koshner and Micheal Stan, STAAM, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Dardenne (Son-Dance Ministry), First Unitarian Church of St. Louis Choir and the YMCA Boys Choir.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SPEAKS OUT ON BANKRUPTCY FILING AT THE NBA
Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis' Executive Director speaks out on Bankruptcy Filing at the National Benevolent Association. Click here to read more. Or visit www.nbacares.org to find out more details on the bankruptcy filing and how you can help.
Celebrating 20 Years of Strengthening Faith, Sharing Faith, and Serving Faithfully