Petition Text: 21041-CS-NonDis-O

In 1994 the Interreligious Health Care Access Campaign inaugurated the observance of a Health Care Sabbath by persons of faith as a symbol of their faithfulness to the goal of health care for all. Rather than specifying a particular date for this observance, the Campaign encouraged communions and congregations to select a Sabbath date that reflected their individual commitment to issues of health and wholeness. In support of this interfaith effort and in faithful witness to the beliefs articulated in the United Methodist resolutions "Health and Wholeness," "Universal Access to Health Care in the United States and Related Territories," "Health for All by the Year 2000," The United Methodist Church calls congregations to designate one Sunday during the calendar year for the observance of a "Health Care Sabbath."

The Health Care Sabbath is a day of rejoicing and reflection. It is a time for thanksgiving for the health and well-being enjoyed by many in our world community and thanksgiving for the diverse care-givers who minister to our needs. It is a time to reflect on those who are sick, who struggle with chronic illnesses, who lack access to the health care services they need, and who are denied those basic elements essential to achieving health. It is a time to focus on our belief that health care is a right and a responsibility, public and private. It is a time to challenge our communities of faith to seek their role in making "Health Care for All" a reality.

To assist congregations in their observance of a Health Care Sabbath, resources will be made available by the General Board of Church and Society.

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Petition Text: 21041-CS-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference