Spiritual support in the workplace

"When hurting people arrive at work , they don't check their personal problems at the door. And many who aren't facing a crisis want to integrate their faith into their daily lives. That's why some [San Antonio] area employees and employers are embracing efforts to bring faith into the workplace, even amid the national tension over the proper place for religion in public life. Os Hillman of the International Coalition of Workplace Ministries in Cumming, Georgia, said workplace spirituality conferences are mushrooming in number, as are Bible and prayer groups at work. A 1999 Business Week article cited on the coalition's website said more than 10,000 Bible and prayer groups were meeting in workplaces across the nation and that 24 books on spiritually at work were being published monthly. . . .

"Such groups are speaking to an urgent hunger in many Americans to reflect their faith in daily life, said Howard E. Butt Jr., chief executive officer of the Kerrville [Texas,]-based Laity Lodge Foundation . . . .

" 'People are increasingly questioning the meaning of work,' Butt said. 'Is it just a paycheck? Is a job just a status symbol or just a way to put food on the table?

" 'In the original Hebrew, the word for worship and the word for work—avodah—is the same word. Our work is intended to be our worship. This is the motive for integrity, high ethical standards, and an attitude of service to customers, clients, employees, co-workers—everybody.' "

J. Michael Parker
"Faith at work; local and Internet ministries help people
with spiritual needs in the office"
San Antonio Express-News
All rights reserved
May 11, 2004

STUDY INDICATES THAT SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES ENHANCE LIVES OF OLDER ADULTS

"A STUDY IN THE APRIL Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggests religious and spiritual activities and beliefs help older adults adjust to illness. Among over 800 ill seniors surveyed at Duke University Medical Center, religious beliefs and activities were associated with greater social support, fewer depressive symptoms, better cognitive function, and greater cooperativeness, according to researchers.

"Why would this be so? The study's authors write, 'Religious beliefs help patients make sense of their medical conditions and may enable them to better integrate health changes into their lives. Religious practices can help to relax, distract, and counteract the effects of loneliness and isolation that are so prevalent.' "

John Beale
"Caregivers can learn over phone"
Poughkeepsie Journal
May 3, 2004

MINISTERS ON MOTORCYCLES

"[ACCORDING TO CHUCK BRAMHALL, an Arkansas Baptist minister, in the 1970s] when his son wanted to be a 'Hell's Angel,' [Bramhall] decided to look into the motorcycle rallies and found there were many people not being ministered to. Knowing the attendees of the rally would not want to be approached by a suit and tie, he put on jeans and a T-shirt to tell the bikers about Jesus. Since then, the organization has grown from two members to about 100,000 members nationwide, as well as many more across the world. . . .

" 'Christianity does not relate to motorcycles,' [Bramhall explained]. 'Motorcycles are to get us from point A to point B. We use motorcycles as a common ground to earn the right to talk to other motorcyclists,' he said. Bramhall also said they will talk to anyone along the way, such as truckers or anyone else they encounter. . . .

" 'As individuals, we go to rallies and spread the word of Jesus and try to witness to people by not being pushy and preachy. The object is to go out, and if someone is having problems, we are there to assist them,' Bramhall said. The members of the group are Christian, however nondenominational, so anyone with faith in God is able to join."

Kelly Olson
"Christian org uses motorcycle rallies
to help teach people about Jesus"
Kansas State Collegian
May 11, 2004

Thousands to gather in Barcelona for Interreligious Parliament

"NEARLY FIVE MONTHS after the March 11 terrorist attack on Madrid, the world's largest interreligious gathering will convene in Spain for the fourth ever Parliament and the first since September 11, 2001. The event—last held in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1999—will be in Barcelona from July 7-13 and is expected to draw thousands of people of faith and spirit from around the world to find inspiration and forge new pathways to peace in the new age of international terrorism. . . .

"As part of its theme, 'Pathways to Peace: The Wisdom of Listening, the Power of Commitment,' experts will train 2,000 of the Parliament attendees in how to perform these acts in their own diverse communities. Additionally, the Parliament will offer more than 400 programs, performances, and lectures. His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama is coming by invitation of the Council, and other leading thinkers who will speak include: scientist Jane Goodall, Nobel Peace Prize Winners Shirin Ebadi and Mairead Corrigan McGuire, theologian Hans Kung, Ela Gandhi (social activist and granddaughter of M. Gandhi), bishop Samuel Ruiz, Raimon Panikkar, and many more. . . .

" 'Religious traditions, as expressions of experiences irreducible to one another, must advocate deep respect towards religious and cultural diversity,' said Felix Marti, UNESCO Centre of Catalonia's Director of the Technical Secretariat of the Parliament. 'They must help human communities overcome group selfishness and open them to a perspective of universal solidarity in moral, intellectual, and political terms.' "

"Religion in the age of terror"
Ascribe Newswire via M2 Communications, Ltd.
All rights reserved
May 13, 2004