Carle Faith Community Partners
In support of the Carle Health mission, our Partners strive to be spiritual leaders in community, healing and wholeness for all through mutual education, reflection, and action.Involvement of the local faith community has been a cornerstone at Carle BroMenn Medical Center for nearly 40 years. Currently, there are nearly 90 faith communities involved in this partnership.
For more information, call (309) 268-3504 or email our coordinator for faith community relations.
See a listing of our Faith Community Partners.
Shared Ministry Projects
Partners in HealingA ministry in which faith communities pray or send good thoughts/blessings for patients, family, and staff in specific healthcare units or departments at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Eureka Hospital or Carle Cancer Institute Normal.
See our current list of Partners in Healing.
Compassion Closet
Faith communities organize efforts to provide new sweatpants, T-shirts, and other clothes to the closets located at Carle BroMenn Medical Center and Carle Eureka Hospital. Patients without other options – most often from the Emergency Department – leaving the hospital can do so with dignity. Faith communities also donate crocheted, knitted, and other blankets for patients. We are so grateful for our donors.
Partners in Smiling
Faith communities provide toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss to the McLean County Health Department and other area resources.
Faith Community Nurse Ministry
Provides support to congregations and Faith Community Nurses affiliated with Carle’s Faith Community Nursing program by offering consultation on nursing ministries, providing networking opportunities, and promoting care-giving teams within congregations.
Other interfaith service projects
In 2019, the organization co-sponsored a rice repackaging project that involved members of almost every faith community in Bloomington-Normal. The result was 2,400 pounds of rice given to seven area food pantries. To offer other interfaith service project ideas, contact Christine McNeal.
Faith Leader Training
All area faith leaders are invited to attend occasional training specifically for faith communities at Carle BroMenn Medical Center and Carle Eureka Hospital. The purpose of these gatherings is to foster relationships that promote faith, healing, and wholeness in our mutual communities. The meetings also provide leaders with a space and time to meet with other colleagues, as well as an opportunity for continuing education in the area of faith and health.
Reserved parking spaces for clergy are available outside the Spiritual Care office at Carle BroMenn.To receive a parking tag and BroMenn Community Clergy badge to use while visiting hospitalized members, please stop by the Spiritual Care office or call (309) 268-5499 for more information. HIPAA and hospital visitation training is also available for a faith community’s lay visitation team
History
The Brokaw Mennonite Association was incorporated on April 1, 1984, to support and encourage healthcare services. The member churches previously were members of Brokaw Health Care, Inc. and of the Mennonite Hospital Association. The name changed after a 2010 merger with Advocate Health Care. On July 1, 2020, the name changed again to the Carle BroMenn Delegate Church Association. In fall 2022, the organization became the Carle Faith Community Partners to reflect our efforts to meet more of the area’s healthcare needs. Current association participants range from faith communities involved with either Brokaw or Mennonite to those who became members in 1984 and some that started participating more recently. All are welcome.