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Free video download celebrating Dr. King's historic speech available
The SALT Project, Christian Theological Seminary and WFYI (Indianapolis Public Broadcasting Station) have collaborated to offer a free five-minute video celebrating the historic "I Have a Dream" speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for this, the 50th anniversary of its delivery Aug. 28. The video features CTS faculty and others delivering the text of the end of Dr. King's speech. More information
NAPAD offers sermon, transcript
North American Pacific/Asian Disciples are celebrating David Kagiwada Sunday on Sept. 8 and are offering resources to congregations. The texts of the sermon Rev. Jinsuk Chun delivered at the General Assembly Reconciliation Breakfast and the presentation by Rev. Young Lan Kim and JoAnne Kagiwada during the Wednesday morning gathering are both available online. (Scroll through the PDF document to find the transcripts.)
Best practices in the world of HIPPA regulations
The law in question is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The challenge is being a caring community of the church and not unintentionally violating the law.
Michael Porter, director of health services & group benefits associate for the Pension Fund, provides some advice. "At my congregation, there are two prayer lists - one public which is shared WITHOUT medical condition and one that is in-house and not shared with the congregation at large nor on the website."
An extra step that is often omitted by congregations is this: The person taking the prayer request, clergy or secretary, asks which list the person would like to be on and written permission obtained, if possible, for the public sharing.
Porter continues, "I strongly urge that prayers be asked for WITHOUT medical condition of the person asking for prayers. The family members or the person her or himself may share their medical condition with the congregation if they so desire."
Any publications, newsletters and bulletins, may list the name of the individual (with permission) but WITHOUT medical condition. This avoids any accidental release of information. Generic phrases like, "as Fred deals with his medical condition" or "Sally faces surgery," are permissible, but never "Fred deals with Alzheimers" or "Sally is having a tonsillectomy".
"The potential fines are huge and while none have been levied against churches, it is better to be safe than broke," said Porter. "Also, if a person is very private, the in-house prayer list allows for daily prayers for healing while protecting their personal health information." More info
Legal counsel prepares for immigration reform
The office of Refugee and Immigration Ministries continues to work and pray that immigration reform will become a reality this year. Meanwhile, the office of Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel is already preparing for the possibility of reform.
If an immigration reform bill including a legalization process (a path to citizenship) becomes law, Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel will provide free legal representation for Disciples pastors (ordained and commissioned) who are eligible for this legalization process. Representation will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis up to the capacity of the office.
Disciples pastors who hope to legalize in the future, please contact Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel now. All consultations between legal counsel and clients are confidential. For more information, see www.discipleshomemissions.org/legal-help.
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