Tamara Wolcott Fisher
Health director EW Dempsey presented Vivian Raitz Carlton, member of the Dalton, Ga., Church, with a plaque in appreciation of her 18 years as editor of the Conference’s Health Department newsletter, Exciting Health Happenings, on June 1, 2018, during the health seminar at this year’s Collegedale Camp Meeting held on the campus of Southern Adventist University.
“She cared enough to make this happen,” says Dempsey, who said the Health Ministries Department recognizes someone each year at their Camp Meeting seminars. “She volunteered and was diligent in putting this together.” Dempey said it was very valuable for the church health leaders to help stimulate ideas.
Chester V. Clark II, Dalton Church pastor, says, “Vivian is passionate about health ministry and helping others live an abundant life. She is an extremely detailed person, and whatever she does is done well and thoroughly thought through. We’re thankful for what she’s been able to do in our own community and throughout the Conference!”
Carlton says she would ask church health leaders from across the Conference for a report on what was taking place concerning health. She would report on outreach into the community, health fair, smoking cessation, and weight management — really anything along the lines of health. Once everything was written and edited, the Exciting Health Happenings newsletter was mailed twice a year. “I was glad to do it; it was exciting to see what was going on in the churches. It was a ministry,” said Carlton of the newsletter.
She said more than 30 years ago people were asking for vegetarian cooking classes and a weight management course. “So, I got busy and was trained, went to California to become a registered vegetarian cuisine instructor.” She says she takes continuing education courses and continues to learn to share with others.
“It’s not about me. The Lord is coming soon, anything anyone can do is important,” said Carlton. “I believe in TMI, total member involvement. One little thing! It doesn’t have to be significant. I encourage people to do it. We are a body and we help one another, hurt with one another, cry with one another.”
Georgia-Cumberland | September 2018
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