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Caring for the Chemically Injured

Norma Mintz of Houston, Texas, prepared a 
comprehensive interfaith study of churches in 
America and how the church can minister to the 
spiritual and emotional needs of the chemically 
injured. 

"Environmental Illness and Church" was born out of 
Norma�s three and a half year illness with MCS 
(multiple chemical sensitivities) and how God has 
enabled, not disabled, through her illness.  

She initially presented the study to Houston�s First 
Baptist Church and the (Southern) Baptist Convention 
of Texas.  Dr. Bernard M. Spooner, director of 
Sunday School/Discipleship Division,  graciously 
responded to her presentation by alerting other 
church leader to the needs of chemically sensitive 
worshipers and by encouraging their support.  
Dr. Spooner shared this study with the Baptist 
Sunday School Board in Nashville, Tennessee, 
and the Christian Life Commission (Dallas), 
Building Support people, Homebound Ministries, 
and the Church Architectural Departments.

	Houston�s First church (21,625 membership) 
is organizing a fragrance-free Sunday School 
Department, and has plans to construct a safe 
worship area with safe access to and from the 
area for the chemically sensitive (more to 
follow later).
 
   	From Washington, Norma shares the following 
letter,  dated July 5, 1995 from Ginny Thornburgh, 
Director,  Religion and Disability Program , National 
Organization on Disability, Washington, D. C. :  
Many, many thanks for sharing Environmental Illness 
and the Church with me. This is an area of great concern 
to those of us working to make congregations welcoming 
to all of God�s people.  Only through information such 
as yours will Multiple Chemical Sensitivities be 
acknowledged, understood, and accommodated.   The 
material in your study is comprehensive, beautifully 
organized and well researched. What a contribution you 
have made!  Although your educational tool has been 
submitted to Houston�s First Baptist Church and the 
Baptist General Convention of Texas, it is relevant, 
as well, to all Christians, Jews, and others who 
respond to God�s love through inclusive worship and 
service.  Thanks to to God for you and your work.      
              ----The Healer, September 1995, pg. 8

For more information, please contact: 
           Norma Mintz
           9606 Weatherwood
           Houston, Texas  77080. 
           
AND   HEAL of Central New York
           3773 Dorothy Drive
           Syracuse, NY  13215 
        Telephone:  (315-492-0091).

Contact person:  Norma Pugh
                 203 Dewitt Street
                 Syracuse, NY  13203
         Telephone: (315-479-8830).

Also, Introducing: 
     THE MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES
      SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION MAILING LIST

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    aspects of  living with MCS.

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