UCC Resources for Health & Wholeness

UCC Mission Statement on Health and Human Service Ministries [PDF]

Council for Health and Human Service Ministries
(CHHSM) is a non-profit association of more than 350 UCC-related ministries and programs engaged in primary and acute health care; services to persons with disabilities; children, youth and families; and the aging (continuing care and retirement housing). CHHSM offers a variety of services and products to enhance the ministries of its members and their relationships within the UCC.

Disabilities and Mental Health Justice
Our faith teaches us that all people are created in the image of God. We are called to embody a philosophy of inclusion and interdependence and work together to remove or overcome barriers to welcoming and including all people in the work and witness of the United Church of Christ and in the wider world.

UCC Disabilities Ministries
UCC Disabilities Ministries is an affiliated organization of the UCC which supports people with all kinds of disabilities, for full participation and inclusion in Christ’s Church. UCCDM calls upon the whole church to recognize and receive the gifts persons with disabilities and provides resources for persons with disabilities, their families, and local congregations.

General Synod Resolution: Called to Wholeness in Christ

UCC Wellness Ministries (formerly the UCC Faith Community Nurse Network)
The UCC Wellness Ministries aims to promote wellness ministries in congregations and communities; it promotes the visible presence and voice of faith community nurses in the United Church of Christ.

General Synod Resolution: Reclaiming the Church’s Ministry of Health and Healing

UCC HIV and AIDS Network (aka UCAN)
UCAN works with the various settings of the church and society on HIV education and prevention, treatment and care, engages in various forms of advocacy, including public policy, works cooperatively with the United Church of Christ HIV and AIDS Network (UCAN), the area offices of Global Ministries, and with ecumenically and interfaith organizations on HIV and AIDS concerns.

LGBTQ Ministries
The Open and Affirming (ONA) movement in the UCC seeks to grow the love, welcome and justice in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity and express. It is the largest, fasting growing inclusive church movement in the world. Resources are available through UCC Resources and from the UCC Open and Affirming Coalition, an affiliated organization in the UCC focused on providing leadership and resources for the ONA process.

UCC Mental Health Network
The United Church of Christ Mental Health Network is an affiliated organization of the UCC that works to reduce stigma and promote the inclusion of people with mental illnesses/brain disorders and their families in the life, leadership and work of congregations. They provide resources and assistance to for congregations with to join the mission of being WISE congregations – Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged in the Mental Health of the community and the wider world.

Sexuality Education Ministries
Our Sexuality Education Ministries promote sexual health through the age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education curriculum, Our Whole Lives and Sexuality and Our Faith. This ministry is grounded in the values of self worth, responsibility, justice, love and inclusivity. We encourage churches to offer this life-saving and life-affirming education to everyone – children, youth and adults.

Overdose and Drug Use Ministries
The Overdose and Drug Use Ministries of the United Church of Christ brings together pastors, lay leaders, theologians, people who use drugs, service providers, activists, and other collaborators in order to advocate for and increase the engagement of local churches in ministries with people who use drugs, people who have been affected by drug use, and people who may be at risk for or have experienced incidents of overdose.

Other resources for health and wholeness

Drug and alcohol rehab centers in Oregon: Help.org, has produced a guide https://www.help.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-oregon/ to help individuals find affordable treatment that will put them on the path to recovery. 

The health and wellness organization, created by a group of health experts and consumer advocates, aims to provide reliable information to those looking to empower themselves and take control of their lives through healthy living.