Faith and Health Partnerships Monthly

A Resource Toolkit for Faith Leaders

Welcome to the April 2023 issue of Faith and Health Partnerships Monthly. We hope you find these resources and tips helpful as you care for members of your congregation and community. If you have questions or topic ideas for future issues, please reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you!

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April Observances

Black Maternal Health Week

April 11-17

Throughout generations, Black women in the United States have experienced inequities that have created poor maternal health outcomes. Your faith community can make a difference.

Learn more

Healthcare Decision Day April 16 

Advance Care Planning ensures you get the medical care you want if you cannot speak for yourself. Help promote Advance Care Planning on National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16 - and year-round.

See the Advance Care Planning Toolkit

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This year's theme, Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity, recognizes it will take ending all forms of oppression to end sexual harassment, assault, and abuse.


See resources for survivors of sexual assault.

Caring for Mind

Stress Awareness Month


Faith, spirituality, and support from a faith community can have a positive impact on those living with stress, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

See bulletin insert and worship slide

Caring for Body

National Minority Health Month


This year’s theme – Better Health 

Through Better Understanding

highlights the importance of providing 

culturally and linguistically competent 

healthcare services, information, and 

resources. 

Keep reading

Caring for Spirit

National Volunteer Week

April 16-22


Consider hosting a Companionship workshop to learn more about how you can become better equipped to journey alongside others and connect with them in a mutual, supportive way.

See bulletin insert

Updated Masking and Visitation Guidance


Advocate Health Care has implemented changes across facilities based on CDC guidance.


We now have open visitation, allowing unlimited visitors for all patients with exceptions:


  • Pediatrics: Two visitors at one time per patient for pediatric general and ICU units.


Change to optional masking. Illinois has trended under ‘high’ measured by CDC’s COVID community transmission data over the last six weeks, with those numbers expected to continue to decline.

Learn more.

  • We’ll continue to provide masks at all entrances and highly encourage use in congregate settings (e.g., behavioral health settings and inpatient rehab).


  • Masking continues to be a requirement for patients in transmission-based isolation (e.g., droplet precautions) and may apply in oncology and transplant units.


  • To ensure our patients feel safe, we expect our physicians, nurses and other teammates wear a mask if requested by the patient during their care encounter.


Upcoming Events

Helping Trauma Survivors Find Their Voice


March 29 | 10:00 a.m.-noon


Sponsored by Courage to Love in Action


Trauma silences the voices of trauma survivors because their experiences can be too horrific to put into words. Yet, there is a part of them that yearns to be heard. By becoming good listeners, we can learn how to create a safe space for trauma survivors to share their stories, find their voices again, and begin to heal.

April 4 | 10:00 a.m.


The HOPE Model: How Positive Experiences Make Us Healthier

April 10 | 1:00 p.m.


Virtual Mastermind Group Meeting

April 10


Monthly Day of Prayer for Mental Health

April 12


Companionship Workshop

April 14-15


Companionship Instructor Training


April 20 | 1:00 p.m.


Healthy Living for Your Brain/Body & Spiritual Care

May 11


6th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium


May 16 | 11:30 a.m.


Facts vs. Fiction About Mental Health Symptoms


Year-round support groups.

Live Your Faith. Love Your Community.

Donate Blood

Share this flyer

Resources

Black Maternal Week flyer

Advance Care Planning Toolkit

Stress Awareness Month resources

National Minority Health Month flyer

Resources for survivors of sexual assault.

National Volunteer Week bulletin insert

Who We Are

Advocate Faith and Health Partnerships


We work side-by-side with faith communities to promote health equity by mobilizing the transforming power of social connectedness and spiritual wisdom.


Our core belief: Drawing on the wisdom of our religious traditions and the best social and public health science, we believe that positive, mutual relationships and the intentional practice of faith are at the heart of what creates equitable health and well-being for individuals, congregations and communities.


Learn more about our work in English and Spanish.

We blend the strengths of Advocate Health Care with the strengths of your congregation to improve the health of those in your community.

Learn about our approach to building healthy, loving communities.
Join our Mailing List