Vol. VI, No. 1
In This Issue...
- POP Lay Ministers of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church to be honored at reception March 25th
- Welcome to St. Lukes
- Healing Practices: Gratitude
- POP Board
- Classes Offered
The POP Lay Ministers of Memorial Drive Presbyterian
Church
to be honored at reception March 25th for pastoral ministry
Presbyterian Outreach to Patients (POP) was organized by the Rev. Lawrence
Johnson of
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in 1974 to visit Presbyterians from
“out of town” who
came to the Texas Medical Center for care. Still going strong, our group
of Lay Ministers has
met and ministered to tens of thousands of people.
Since its beginning, POP and Memorial Drive have had a very special connection.
Those Lay
Ministers still at MDPC are Julia Barth, Lois Boston, Albertina Brink,
Keith Burr, Nancy Lucke, Tracy
Park, Tip and Esther Parks, Tom Shelfer, and Dot Uthlaut.
The Board of Directors of Presbyterian Outreach to Patients invites you
to attend a reception
in their honor on Sunday, March 25, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in
the Fellowship Hall of
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. Please RSVP to 281-294-9950 or
www.popministry.org.
Those wishing to make a contribution in their honor may send a tax-deductible
donation to
Presbyterian Outreach to Patients, P O BOX 667118, Houston TX 77266-7118.
Check
Notation: “MDPC.”
Welcome to St. Luke's
Lay Ministers in training
Dr. Harry Braeuer and Kathy Braeuer are welcomed by POP Lay Minister Everett
Marley (r.)
HEALING PRACTICES: Gratitude
by Steven Spidell
It might seem rather surprising to think about being grateful
when one is sick. Feeling ill, in pain, or worried about
the future tends to focus our attention on what concerns us. After all,
what’s there to be grateful for when you’re
sick?
Strange as it might sound, scientists are discovering that feeling and expressing gratitude have positive health effects.
Research is suggesting that persons who practice gratitude can experience benefits in such areas as
• improved cardiovascular functioning
• improved sleep
• improved recovery following an operation
• increased positive emotions and reduced harmful, negative feelings
• less depression
• extended lifespan
The spiritual reality is that we do indeed always have something or someone
to be grateful for. The key to experiencing
the benefits of gratitude is to remember to be thankful! Make the practice
of gratitude part of the way you live
your life.
Two practices that have been suggested to help us develop the practice
of gratitude.
1. Keep a “gratitude journal.” Every day write down five things
for which you are grateful.
2. Take a gratitude break. When feeling stressed, take 10 seconds, catch
your breath (relax and breathe!), and
think of something for which you are grateful no matter what else is happening.
Allow yourself to feel the gratitude
in your heart.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “In all things, give thanks, for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thess. 5:18)
It is not that we should be grateful when something “bad”
happens. God’s will is for us to discover in every aspect of
life the loving presence of the God who is there with us and for us. This
is the gift of the healing practice of gratitude.
Dr. Spidell worked on a chart of other complementary spiritual practices
that have health benefits. You can find this resource by going to
www.professionalchaplains.org > Professional Resources> Best Practices>
Complementary Practices.
POP Board
Legend: Audrey Lokker and Kay Vick (Seated), Gerrie Ashworth, Sam
Singer, John Kelly, Ann Smith, John Leslie, Mary Lawrence, Dot Uthlaut,
Everett Marley.
(not pictured Ann Bixby and Dr. Esmaeil Porsa)
Classes Offered
POP Executive Director Steven Spidell is available for teaching and training
events for pastoral caregivers in
congregations. Training in hospital visitation is available in lengths
from 2 to 6 hours depending on the needs of the
group. He has also prepared and presented power point presentations on
Spiritual Resources for the Healing Journey
and The Caregivers Guide to the Healing Journey. Spidell is also willing
to present on topics of special interest in the
field of medicine, spirituality, and ministry and regularly provides in-services
for Stephen Ministry groups.