tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post5363353891294280288..comments2024-03-18T19:34:36.812-07:00Comments on Morning Coffee: How Can the Church Minister to the Chronically Ill?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-2113333582472013542009-11-04T11:12:13.863-08:002009-11-04T11:12:13.863-08:00Would you be willing to allow me to link to your p...Would you be willing to allow me to link to your post? I have a blog devoted to the purpose of gathering Orthodox Christian disability resources (Arms Open Wide) and this is one.<br />Also, on my resource page, I have a section Orthodox Christian families. May I also include you there?<br />Lists of ministries and information have their place, but families who deal with disability in their midst incarnate the matter and I consider all of you in that category the very best resources for others in similar boats. <br />You can contact me at Arms Open Wide or at rdrfrm@gmail.com<br />Thank you.ephremgallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02542798416261705287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-44163497522776356632009-10-22T13:19:04.462-07:002009-10-22T13:19:04.462-07:00Oh, man, Alana. I know this so well. Thanks for po...Oh, man, Alana. I know this so well. Thanks for posting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-27089733021308374152009-10-20T17:46:35.762-07:002009-10-20T17:46:35.762-07:00Excellent post. I am finding this out first hand s...Excellent post. I am finding this out first hand since I have been diagnosed with lyme. People really don't know how to deal with chronic illness. The silence can be deafening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-1240699282339191382009-10-20T14:30:37.494-07:002009-10-20T14:30:37.494-07:00I'm so sorry you've been so hurt, Anonymou...I'm so sorry you've been so hurt, Anonymous.Alanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02169732072381476940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-62933994763657272372009-10-20T14:15:29.629-07:002009-10-20T14:15:29.629-07:00Church is a joke for those who have other problems...Church is a joke for those who have other problems as well. How about those who are depressed (yes folks, life events can overwhelm you even many years later), or those who have suffered abuse (especially if the abuser was from the church). Basically the deal is, just show up with a smile and some money, volunteer and then don't bother us- we certainly won't help you if you have problems and we may even cause some more problems. Priests are the worst. "I have to support my businessmen" Direct quote from Orthodox clergy. Here's what you do- go to church and leave, they don't care if you have breath. From the school of hard knocks- Orthodox edition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-46153888692584677122009-10-20T02:26:37.280-07:002009-10-20T02:26:37.280-07:00Fabulous article Alana, thank you so much. I also ...Fabulous article Alana, thank you so much. I also agree it would make a great brochure. I will recommend it to my parish here in Australia.<br /><br />Can I meekly ask if you might consider writing some similar ideas for a parishioner with mental illness, and their families?Hashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14288976759969499911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-45192046077102534922009-10-19T14:40:54.193-07:002009-10-19T14:40:54.193-07:00First, great article, Alana! Is it okay if I send...First, great article, Alana! Is it okay if I send it to the head of my church's 'Comforter's Ministry'? This could be great printed in church bulletins/ newsletters too. Thanks for taking the time to articulate these very real needs.<br /><br />We have a woman with MS in our parish, and our women's group makes sure a meal is brought to her family once a week. I've only now started to help myself, but I know it's so important and valuable. Now that our church has expanded quite a bit, I can't help but wonder if there are any others who are chronically ill who could be ministered to in the same way (in addition to new moms, those who are recovering from short-term illness and those who've suffered recent deaths of family members, etc.). <br /><br />Anyways, thanks again!!! Great information.Xenia Kathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08880128865699100105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-32831849820674969182009-10-19T14:20:56.874-07:002009-10-19T14:20:56.874-07:00I love this post, Alana. Some people and I at my p...I love this post, Alana. Some people and I at my parish have been wondering how to help our priest, who is living with cancer, and his wife. They are such pillars of the parish, and full of joy, but they work so tirelessly, and we worry about them.<br /><br />Being English, of course, there is a certain measure of 'getting on with things'. So they get on with things, and they're joyful, and we don't know how to help, because they wouldn't want to burden US with admitting a need. It's not always easy to know how to help in a way that doesn't provoke a 'don't pity me!' response. Thanks again for this.<br /><br />x M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-65672538204319233632009-10-19T12:27:17.751-07:002009-10-19T12:27:17.751-07:00And another thing! Just thought of this. I think ...And another thing! Just thought of this. I think the parish nursing programs that many churches have instituted sound brilliant (though I've never belonged to a church that has a parish nurse). It seems to be happening mostly among Protestant churches? Maybe? But I'm not sure? Anyhow,I wonder if anyone connected to that program would be interested in working with you to publish this article/brochure? I think googling "parish nursing" would yield contacts. And of course, I would think that they'd already have some info/guidelines/etc. about helping parishes minister to those with chronic illnesses -- I'd hope so, anyhow. Maybe they could help you to help churches to get more educated about this. Or you could help them to educate churches. I dunno, just seems possibly productive. <br /><br />Just a brain drizzle. <br /><br />Does anyone know of Orthodox churches that have parish nurses?debnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-22866145251494297762009-10-19T12:11:26.670-07:002009-10-19T12:11:26.670-07:00Doggie, go to a chiropractor! I have four degenera...Doggie, go to a chiropractor! I have four degenerated discs and arthritis in my back and I have NEVER been on those kinds of pain meds.Alanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02169732072381476940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-55344670313817769192009-10-19T10:59:01.167-07:002009-10-19T10:59:01.167-07:00I agree with Deb, this would be very good as a pub...I agree with Deb, this would be very good as a publication.Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02645484704486562810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-91291338047735430732009-10-19T10:57:47.339-07:002009-10-19T10:57:47.339-07:00You must be careful with back pain as the conseque...You must be careful with back pain as the consequences can be dangerous so findrxonline indicated in an article on the subject, I suffer from chronic fibromyalgia for a few years ago I had a tug on my lower back and has gotten worse over time, I have visited many doctors and to ease my pain I was prescribed narcotic opioid drug that is like vicodin, oxycontin, lortab that help curb these terrible back pain.Doggie Howserhttp://www.dietas-efectivas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-87731227276801045782009-10-19T10:47:06.456-07:002009-10-19T10:47:06.456-07:00And I forgot to even mention supporting the spouse...And I forgot to even mention supporting the spouse of a chronically ill person (who carries a very heavy load indeed, or pastoral care issues.Alanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02169732072381476940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192475.post-57041285485766155212009-10-19T10:00:06.968-07:002009-10-19T10:00:06.968-07:00Very good post. You could publish this as a brochu...Very good post. You could publish this as a brochure for priests/pastors/parish councils/church women's groups etc. I'm serious. <br /><br />Have you seen this recent New York Times article on some new developments in understanding CFS? <br /><br />"Is a Virus the Cause of Fatigue Syndrome?"<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/health/13fatigue.html?scp=1&sq=chronic%20fatigue%20syndrome&st=csedebnoreply@blogger.com