Health Week Sunday
Sunday 13th October 2024 marked the Climax of PCEA Health Week under the theme COMEBACK TO SENSES: FACING ALCOHOLISM. All PCEA congregations observed this Sunday with the main service being held at PCEA Thika Town Church, and broadcasted live on Kirk TV. This service was presided over by the Deputy Secretary General Rev. John Mbae, who is also the Secretary to PCEA Church Health Board.
According to Rev Mbae, this year’s theme is an invitation to consciously evaluate how we have viewed alcoholism and alcoholics. We need to remember that alcoholics are our spouses, our parents, our siblings, and our children. They are also our neighbors, workmates, and church members.
Our response to alcoholism should be driven by love. We should love the alcoholics to the extent that we are so disturbed when we see them struggling in this menace, that we can do everything possible to help them out without condemning them.
The past Moderator of PCEA, Very Rev. Jesse Kamau, who was the Guest Preacher in the Health Week climax service, observed that those who have never started drinking alcohol or using the illicit drugs, should not begin because it is very destructive and hard to stop. Many who are hooked into this challenge are unable to disentangle themselves unless they are helped persistently. The church needs to be deliberate in her mission to the alcoholics.
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is considered a mental illness due to its profound impact on brain function, behavior, and emotional well-being. AUD involves an inability to control or stop drinking despite negative consequences leading to physical, psychological, and social problems.
Alcoholism leads to:
1. Addiction and dependency
2. Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.
3. Compulsive behaviors that are difficult to manage without treatment or intervention.
Health Week is celebrated annually as a reminder that God’s mission includes fighting sickness and disease, and helping to build healthy individuals and communities. Jesus himself is a healer and he invites us to partner with him in the healing ministry.
It is our hope that by observing this year’s theme, we shall ‘come back to our senses’ and change our attitudes so that we can join hands to confront this societal threat of alcoholism.