On a beautiful Saturday morning in September people from across the Starkville District   came together at Griffin UMC for a groundbreaking training event.  The United Methodist Church, University Medical Center, and Southern Remedy have partnered together to train individuals to become Community Health Advocates for the Starkville District of The United Methodist Church.  

The Starkville District is the first to host such an event in Mississippi.  Dr. Embra Jackson, Starkville District Superintendent, expressed excitement about this event and anticipates the program will help all our churches, regardless of size, to connect health and wellness to their ministry.

"What we learn in doing this pilot program in our district we plan to take to the Greenwood and Hattiesburg districts as well, " said Jackson.  It reminds people that Jesus Christ came that we may have abundant life.  Health and wellness is a part of who we are, particularly as United Methodists."

The stated goal of the program is to train individuals to become Community Health Advocates in their community.  Doing so will lead to increased health awareness and literacy, which may lead to an improved health status of individuals within the community. The certification training included learning to calculate BMI (body mass index), how to test blood glucose, and how to accurately take a blood pressure.  Community Health Advocates that were trained at this event will be able to help educate our local communities as well as training more advocates to help reverse the health problems we are facing today.  

"We have an epidemic of bad health in our state," said Dr. Richard deShazo of Southern Remedy, a Mississippi Public Broadcasting weekly radio show about health.  According to deShazo a great deal of this problem is self-made.  "We make poor decisions about our health because we don't know better.  Cuts in education have led to less focus on health education and physical education.  Another contributing factor is the type of food that is available in our country has shifted."  deShazo spoke about fresh food deserts, communities where fresh fruit and vegetables are unavailable and fast food is readily available and cheap.  These and other factors have led to an epidemic of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Training Community Health Advocates can be a key to turning this problem around.

This day of training will have far reaching effect on the lives of many people throughout our state. Jaquelin McCoy, Mississippi State Department of Health representative attended the training as an observer to see how the Community Health Advocate training might be used as a part of the training of health workers under her guidance.  How will this help local congregations? "What we are talking about today is this training is right here at our church"  Rev. Eddie Lee Jones, pastor of the host church, feels the trained Health Advocate and the kits for testing will help his congregation and community be aware of how to deal with health problems like diabetes as well as learn to make healthy choices.

Bishop Hope Morgan Ward added her support of this day of training.  "Health ministries are at the heartbeat of our life together as United Methodist people," said Ward.  "Jesus Christ gives life abundant and eternal.  We follow Christ in mission as we grow together, seeking wellness for all.  Our prayer and hope is for healing - in body, mind, spirit, and relationships.  The Starkville District is leading the way in these essential health ministries, well-led by Dr. Embra Jackson, District Superintendent."

Funeral services for James Osborne, nephew of Rev. Ever J. Burt, were held Nov. 5, 2011  in Okolona at Black Oak M.B.Church with Agnew & sons Funeral of Verona directing. Please keep Rev. Ever J. Burt, Ben, and the Osborne family in your prayers.

Joann Potts, surviving spouse of Rev. Charlie Potts, has undergone back surgery this week. She is a member of Maples Memorial UMC. Please keep Ms. Potts in your prayers.
 
Rev. Bill Johnson of Rials Creek, East Jackson District, was admitted to St. Dominic's Hospital for test and surgery.  Surgery went well and he should be released soon.   Please keep Bill and Rita in your prayers.

Ruth Lewis, wife of Rev Don Lewis (RE) of Hernando will undergo a heart procedure on Thursday.  Please pray for Ruth.

Resumes are being accepted for the position of Executive Director of Camp Wesley Pines located in Gallman, Mississippi. Wesley Pines is a ministry of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church. Resumes will be accepted November 1 through December 31, 2011 with employment effective July 1, 2012. A job description is available upon request. Submit resume to: Rev. Geoffrey Joyner, Chairperson of the Personnel Committee, 205 Mary Ann Drive, Brandon, MS 39042.