HEALTH and Wellness
Nurse-pastor combines talent and passion to lead wellness committee
For years, Rev. Lenore Robinson felt like she saw one path where others saw two.
She spent nearly 30 years in the health care world, starting as a staff and charge nurse in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps before moving into hospital outreach education and later into executive positions with private practice associations.
But along the way, she began hearing a call to ministry. And though the act of healing is an important concept to Christians, Robinson struggled with meshing Christian healing with the medical healing that was her career.
“I kept hearing the call to act,” she explained. “I thought it might be at the workplace, but the concept of healing through the power of prayer and Jesus Christ did not fit into the secular world of health care.”
She cites the encouragement and guidance of Rev. Ron Huff as instrumental in helping her to bring those two paths together in her church, where they founded a Health and Wellness Ministry and began regular healing and prayer services.
It was January 2003 when Robinson felt the call to become a minister, and though she made plans to begin her part-time seminary studies that fall, in April she learned her health care job had been eliminated. And while she saw this as an affirmation of her choice – she was ordained in 2006 and is now the full-time pastor at North Mentor Centenary UMC – Robinson has held onto her belief in the importance of health and wellness. She currently chairs the East Ohio Conference Health and Welfare Committee.
“I believe God is leading us to proclaim a new vision of making holistic health integral to the mission of the church, not just another committee project,” she says. “I continue to be in prayer for increased understanding about healing, how it occurs, and how the church can be the center of healing and wholeness in the world.”
As to bringing those seemingly divergent paths from her past and her present together, Robinson says her combined experiences as a nurse and a pastor have given her a unique perspective.
“I am able to look for the convergence of science and theology,” she said, “which gives both science and theology increased depth of meaning and an exciting way to see God’s creative spirit at work.”
She’s also looking for more voices, perspectives and experiences as the Health and Welfare Committee seeks input from people participating in health ministries in their church or district. For more information about the Health and Welfare Committee visit the conference web site.
Task Force on Clergy and Congregational Wellness seeks input
The East Ohio Health and Welfare Committee Task Group on Clergy and Congregational Wellness has provided opportunities at annual conference to practice wholeness of mind, body and spirit for the last two years.
Close to 400 people participated in the Space for Grace competition for “passport stamps” to health and wholeness by committing to healthier habits during annual conference. Participants were encouraged to take advantage of walking trails, relaxation and yoga classes and self care opportunities including chair massage, enjoying healthy local fruits and vegetables, attending Self-Care Covenant presentations, the new program for clergy and laity to promote self care and accountability for one’s whole health. Completion of the annual conference health check earned an additional passport stamp. All ten East Ohio districts were well represented in the friendly district competition but Tuscarawas won first place with 73 participants.
Health and Welfare chairperson, Rev. Lenore Robinson, explains the need for balance and completeness in our lives, “God’s grace is always available but to receive its fullness, we need to make space for grace in our lives.”
We want to hear from you! The task group is seeking resources and opportunities for healing and wholeness in the conference and would like to identify those people who are currently engaged with health ministries in their church or district (parish nurses, health ministers, wellness chairpersons) or those who have a special interest in wellness and health ministries. Please send your contact information to: lmccowen@ncdistrictumc.org or call (216)-441-4527, ext. 107.
