WEST CENTRAL OHIO HEALTH MINISTRIES PROGRAM
NETWORK NEWS - July 2010
From the Coordinator
Goodbye
On July 1, I will be retiring as Health Ministries Coordinator. I have held this position since April 1999. The decision to retire was a difficult one, and this is a bittersweet time for me. As I reflect on the last eleven years, I think about all the wonderful opportunities I have had because of this job. I have met and worked with many wonderful people, in both community organizations and congregations. I have been blessed to get to know the representatives from the network churches and have grown spiritually because of my connection to them.
Kathy Luhn, the Director of Health Education at the Allen County Health Department will be checking phone and email messages during the month of July. The phone number, email address and website address will remain the same. The new Coordinator will start in August.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Lima Memorial Health System, St. Rita’s Medical Center and the Allen County Health Department for making the West Central Ohio Health Ministries Program a reality and the Health Ministries Advisory Board for their support.
Food for Thought
The Waste in Worry
If you were to keep a record of all the things you worried about during a given period of time, you would discover in reviewing them that the great majority of your anticipated problems or troubles never came to pass. Most of the time we devote to worrying, even the constructive kind that prompts us to try to come up with a solution to what is troubling us, is wasted. So, we not only cause ourselves unnecessary mental anguish, but also take up valuable minutes and hours that could have been spent elsewhere.
To avoid this, it is often necessary to subject potential sources of worry to the coldly objective and analytical light of reason. Once, shortly prior to a major concert before a standing-room-only audience, a member of Arturo Toscanini’s orchestra approached the great Italian conductor with an expression of sheer terror on his face. “Maestro,” the musician fretted, “my instrument is not working properly. I cannot reach the note of E-flat. Whatever will I do? We are to begin in a few moments.”
Toscanini looked at the man with utter amazement. Then he smiled kindly and placed an arm around his shoulders. “My friend,” the maestro replied, “Do not worry about it. The note E-flat does not appear anywhere in the music that you will be playing this evening.”
The next time you find yourself in the middle of worrying about some matter, you might be wise to stop and ask yourself what the odds are of the problem really coming to pass. You may be able to go on to something more constructive.
Brad Stevens
Safety Tip
Picnic Safety Tips
Picnics can take on many forms, such as the community picnic, friends and neighbors, tailgate parties or ball games. There is also one sure thing at every picnic—lots of good food.
The important point is to have safe and healthy food, not food that can cause food-borne illness. Always prepare and store food properly:
* Wash hands and work areas before preparing food.
* Plan your menu with an eye to safe food handling. Cook foods in plenty of time to thoroughly chill them in shallow containers in the refrigerator.
* Have enough coolers with ice or frozen gel packs in which to store the perishable foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs and salads. Keep the food at 40 degrees F. Pack food directly from the refrigerator into the coolers.
* Don’t put the cooler in the car trunk. Carry it inside an air conditioned car. At picnics, keep the cooler in the shade and keep the lid closed. Replenish the ice if it melts.
* Use a separate cooler for drinks so the one containing the food won’t be constantly opened.
* If there is no safe source of drinking water, bring water for preparation and cleaning, or pack clean, wet, disposable cloths or moist towelettes and paper towels for cleaning hands and surfaces.
* Pack raw meats, poultry or seafood on the bottom of the cooler. This will reduce the risk of them dripping on other foods. Pack coolers until they are full. A fuller cooler will stay cold longer than one that is partially full.
* If you plan to get takeout foods such as fried chicken, eat them within an hour of pickup.
* Do not partially grill extra meat or poultry to use later. Once you begin, cook until completely done to assure bacteria are destroyed. Grill raw poultry until the juices run clear and there is no pink. Hamburger should not be pink in the center.
* When taking food off the grill, don’t put the cooked items on the same platter which held the raw meat unless you have washed the platter in between uses.
* Don’t leave perishable food un-refrigerated for more than two hours. Put perishable foods back in the cooler or refrigerator as soon as you finish eating. Don’t leave them out while you go for a swim or a hike, and don’t leave them out all afternoon to nibble on. If your picnic leftovers have been sitting out for more than an hour or two, discard them. Throw out cold food that was kept in a cooler if the ice has melted.
Community Resources
Area Park Systems
Do you need a break but are short on time? Would you like to get some fresh air, spend time with your family and get some physical activity? Consider taking a mini-vacation with a visit to one of the many parks in the area. This is a quick and easy way to get away, and the price is right too!
The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District currently has 12 park areas with over 1200 acres for your enjoyment. Whether you enjoy hiking, picnicking, interpretive programs and guided nature walks, camping and swimming at Ottawa Metro Park, fishing and boating at Lima Lake Reservoir, horseback riding at the Allen County Farm Park bridle trail, or bicycling the Rotary Riverwalk, there is something for everyone of all ages. A detailed list of upcoming programs and events is available by contacting the Park District office at 419-221-1232.
The City of Lima’s park system began in 1904 with the donation of a 3.3 acre tract of land that is now part of Faurot Park. There are now over 300 acres which include eight parks, a 1.2 mile paved trail and four green space and playground areas. For more information, contact the City of Lima Parks, Recreation and Forestry Division at 419-221-5195.
Prayer
Sioux Prayer on a Voyage
You, O God, are the Lord of the mountains and the valleys. As I travel over mountains and through valleys, I am beneath your feet. You surround me with every kind of creature. Peacocks, pheasants and the wild boars cross my path. Open my eyes to see their beauty, that I may perceive them as the work of your hands.
In your power, in your thought, all things are abundant. Tonight I will sleep beneath your feet, O Lord of the mountains and valleys, ruler of the trees and vines. I will rest in your love, with you protecting me as a father protects his children, with you watching over me as a mother watches over her children. Then tomorrow the sun will rise and I will not know where I am; but I know that you will guide my footsteps. Amen.
If your church would like information about beginning a Parish Nurse/Health Ministry Program, please send the following information to: West Central Ohio Health Ministries Program - wcohmp@embarqmail.com or call at 419-227-0753.
Church: ______________________________
Name of contact :_______________________________
Address: _____________________________
City: ____________ State:______ Zip:______
Phone: ________________