|
|
The Faith and Health Consortium of Metropolitan Chicago
Welcome to chicagofaithandhealth.org, a community website, operated by
the Faith and Health Consortium of Metropolitan Chicago. The Consortium was
formed by a group of people working in faith and health who saw a need for a
more coordinated approach to faith and health activities in the Chicagoland
region.
The Consortium is interfaith, inclusive and united under the belief that faith
in action has the power to heal individuals and positively transform
communities. We are loosely structured and open to anyone who wants to be part
of this movement.
Purpose of the Consortium
The Consortium aims to support abundant life for all by serving as a central
hub of knowledge and support for congregations, academic institutions, health
organizations and individuals who work at the intersection of faith and health.
The Consortium brings together organizations and individuals for the purpose of
conveying knowledge, developing Chicago’s faith and health network and
facilitating vital partnerships that lead to creative, faith-rooted solutions
for achieving complete health for the people of Chicago and beyond.
Consortium Structure
Anyone can join the Consortium. To become a member, simply add your information
to the database of individuals, faith communities, programs and services on the
website. Your information then becomes part of the web of relationships that
makes up the Consortium.
The Consortium meets quarterly to share information about faith and health
activities and to gather around specific health issues or common geography.
Check the "Event" tab to find information about the next meeting.
The Consortium hosts an annual Faith and Health Conference that draws people
from around the region. You are welcome to join the planning committee. Simply
send an email to us by clicking on "Contact Us" and we’ll add you to the list
of planners.
Vision
The Faith and Health Consortium of Metropolitan Chicago envisions the abundant
life for all and aspires to transform the health status of the underserved and
disadvantaged by serving as a central hub of knowledge and support for
congregations, academic institutions, health organizations and individuals who
work at the intersection of faith and health.
Mission
The Faith and Health Consortium of Metropolitan Chicago is interfaith,
inclusive, and united under the belief that faith in action has the power to
heal individuals and positively transform communities. We seek to foster a
spirit of urgency and priority among faith and health leaders, policy makers
and advocates, community members and people of faith to use their collective
strengths to improve overall community health. To accomplish this, the
consortium brings together organizations and individuals for the purpose of
conveying knowledge, developing Chicago’s faith and health network and
facilitating vital partnerships that lead to creative, faith-rooted solutions
for achieving complete health for the people of Chicago and beyond.
Goals
The Faith and Health Consortium of Metropolitan Chicago fulfills its vision by:
1. Raising awareness about critical community health issues; 2. Inspiring and
supporting the role of the faith community as a catalyst for transforming
individual and community health; 3. Providing opportunities for discussion and
learning about the connections between faith and health; 4. Advocating for
healthy communities by leveraging our collective power and the assets of our
organizations.
Core Values
-
Faith/Interfaith
-
Community Wisdom
-
Respect
-
Harmony (vs. unity)
-
Shalom
-
Prayer
-
Honesty
Definitions
Health: "Health is the behavioral, cultural, economic, educational,
physical, and spiritual state of being in which individuals have the ability to
enjoy life and contribute positively to their family, community and society."
Source: Center for African American Health Status Report – July 11, 2002
Faith:
Main Entry: 1faith
Pronunciation: \'fath\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural faiths, (sounds like) \'faths, sometimes
fathz
Etymology: Middle English feith, from Anglo-French feid, fei,
from Latin fides; akin to Latin fidere to trust
Date: 13th century
1 a: allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty b (1): fidelity to one's promises
(2): sincerity of intentions
2 a (1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional
doctrines of a religion b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no
proof (2): complete trust
3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a
system of religious beliefs
Source: Miriam Webster Dictionary Online:
Faith Community: All institutions and individuals who acknowledge
personal and/or corporate faith (see 'faith' definition)
Source: The Faith and Health Consortium of Metropolitan Chicago
|
|