The Rev. Dr. Robert Hurst, Pastor

The Rev. John Barber, Minister of Music

Health Ministry

Health Ministry at United Church is the promotion of health, healing and wholeness as a mission of the church to its members and the community we serve. The health ministry was initiated by the late Doris Heaman, a founding member and honored nurse who served those in need for many decades here in Huntsville. Our memories of Doris continue to inspire our determination to tend to our congregation's health needs and concerns. Our current program consists of six parts:

• Health consultation and assistance with referral.

• Health advocacy – assisting persons negotiating the health care system seeking appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

• Providing health information materials through articles in the newsletter and “Care Notes”.

• Special health topic presentations such as “Aging Gracefully” and “Advanced Directives”.

• Ongoing congregation health assessments to determine the need for new topics of education and areas of service.

• Periodic free screening for glucose, blood pressure, etc.

Many of our members have had direct experience with common mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia, either from personal experience or as loving caregivers. The United Church of Huntsville has hosted the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill's Family-to-Family training, with participation from involved members of the congregation. Understanding and embracing of those dealing with these difficult problems is a significant mission of our church. If you are facing such challenges, be assured that you are welcome here.

We happily welcome those dealing with developmental and physical challenges.

We have a wheelchair and walker available for those who need them, and offer listening assistance for the hearing-impaired with amplifying headsets.

Our weekly programs are available in large print from the greeters each Sunday. We'll do our best to accomodate any further needs for physical assistance that you might need, on request.