The, question, therefore, is not ‘How can we make community?’ but ‘How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?’ ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen
God has guided Chronic Joy through another exciting year! And it’s my privilege to share a snapshot of the 10 vital programs that serve our growing community.
Henri Nouwen’s words are a great place to begin: “However, community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own. The question, therefore, is not ‘How can we make community?’ but, ‘How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?'”
SERVE
“Serve one another humbly in love.” Serving with chronic illness is as important to who we are as breathing, and as vital to us as oxygen. In God’s Kingdom, small acts – as simple as a smile or a cup of cold water – are significant. Discover creative new ways to love God and love others right where you are, however you are able. LEARN MORE.
PRAYER MINISTRY
Many have told us that due to chronic illness, serving in traditional ways isn’t possible, but that you can pray. Today, we invite you to do just that. #PrayItForward by lifting the requests of others. Then as you rest at the edge of the Prayer Pond, toss in your prayers and praises, and watch them ripple with radical hope and compassionate change throughout our community and far beyond. LEARN MORE.
GIFT OF HOPE
Hope is possible. Sometimes we just need to know that someone cares, that our stories matter, that hope is possible – even in a life with chronic illness, even through sustained loss, even in the midst of debilitating pain. If you need to know that your story matters, that you are not alone, and that someone cares, request your free copy of Discovering Hope. Our Gift of Hope to you! LEARN MORE.
#PENTOPAPER
#PenToPaper is a powerful, yet easy way to encourage one another and build each other up. Build community, offer hope, let someone know they are not alone, and that they are prayed for, cared about, and genuinely loved. We provide a beautiful starter set of stationery to encourage both sender and receiver. LEARN MORE.
GIFT OF COMMUNITY
The Gift of Community is an invitation to small group communities across the United States and around the world. We equip individual small groups with everything needed to develop, grow, and thrive. LEARN MORE.
PASS IT ON
Is there a great book, go-to website, or thought-provoking podcast that encourages you in your walk with chronic illness? Pass It On! Open the door to community by lending a hand, sharing your experience, and making the journey just a little bit easier for all of us. LEARN MORE.
AWARENESS
Our DID YOU KNOW? program offers both digital and printable Fact Sheets to create awareness, increase knowledge, and support education in a quick and easy format that you can share with friends, family, churches, small groups, co-workers and neighbors. LEARN MORE.
#STEPREPPRAY
#StepRepPray is an opportunity to meet with God in prayer as you intentionally move in whatever way you are able. With each step or every rep, we invite you to pray for others, to seek God’s guidance, to worship and praise Him, and to thank God for the gift of movement. LEARN MORE.
CREATIVE SPARKS
Creative Sparks invite an exploration of hands, hearts, and stories.Engage your senses, explore your own unique story, and experience God in fresh, new ways as you learn, lean in, and kindle creative joy in midst of chronic illness. LEARN MORE.
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
FREE copies of Discovering Hope are available to Little Free Library owners across the United States. Books include a label on the inside cover stating: “Yours to Keep.” As librarians notice their copy of Discovering Hope has found a new home, they’re invited to request a replacement. LEARN MORE.
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Pamela Piquette
Executive Director and Co-Founder of Chronic Joy®
Pamela is a leader and a visionary following God's call to inspire those affected by chronic illness to discover hope, find purpose, embrace worth and encounter joy. She believes that every precious life affected by chronic illness is both vital and purposed.
Pamela is the mom of three married children, grandma of two sweet granddaughters and one baby grandson, and a wife of more than 30 years. She is diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos, chronic migraines and a host of other chronic conditions.
Pamela enjoys hot tea, reading -- almost always more than one book at a time -- and walking her teddy bear dog, Cocoa.
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