Celebrating the Sabbath
Whether you’re a patient, family member or on-duty employee, Adventist Medical Center (AMC) in Portland, Ore., strives to make the Sabbath hours a special and memorable time for all. From singing bands to worship services to flowers and Bible verses, employees, physicians and volunteers take time to infuse a peaceful and calming Sabbath atmosphere throughout the facility. But how does the hospital address community health events that take place on the Sabbath?
Community Events on Sabbath
In late 2005, AMC served as an event sponsor of the Portland area Race for the Cure. Sponsored by The Susan G. Komen Foundation, the event raises money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivors, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. While the actual race occurred on a Sunday, a special health expo was scheduled for the preceding Friday and Saturday.
“As a Seventh-day Adventist hospital, we must carefully evaluate the appropriateness of our participation in community events held on Sabbath,” said Deryl Jones, president and CEO of AMC. “While we want to be actively involved in our community, we also are determined to remain true to our Adventist heritage and Sabbath beliefs.”
A Creative Solution
Since AMC was a sponsor of The Race for the Cure, promoters expected the hospital’s involvement over the entire weekend. So hospital administration and the marketing department came up with a creative approach to activities on the Sabbath. On Friday, the hospital took advantage of their booth space to market the facility’s women’s services. In addition to valuable health information, AMC offered free osteoporosis screenings, chair massages and more.
On Sabbath, the booth took on a new look, celebrating the theme of creation. The hospital used the word CREATION as an acronym for the health principles of Companionship and Community, Rest and Recreation, Enjoyment, Activity, Temperance, Inspiration, Outlook and Nutrition.
In addition, those who visited the booth were given a rose and card. The card read: Enjoy this flower as a symbol of the beauty and peace of Sabbath rest. It also included the text of Isaiah 41:10 and the hospital’s mission statement.
Throughout the day, visitors stopped by to learn more about the hospital’s Sabbath beliefs. Many took time to sit down, relax and contemplate the creation health principles and note the scripture passage of John 10:10 “… that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
“It was amazing how many people appreciated our booth on Sabbath,” said Travis Stovall, site administrator for Gresham Station at AMC. “We received lots of comments about how relaxing and peaceful our booth was, and many people were reminded of the importance of taking time out for themselves, their families and God.”
The hospitals booth on Sabbath focused on creation, health principles and rest. Those who stopped by were given a rose and a card inscribed with a Bible verse and the hospitals mission statement.
Adventist Medical Centers booth on Friday highlighted various services the hospital offers and focused on marketing.
