IN celebrating its 60th anniversary, Berea Seventh-day Christian Church recently hosted a health and wellness fair as part of a series of events planned to ramp up years of supporting the surrounding neighbourhood.

“As a church, we believe that we should be giving back to our community and we have been doing that all throughout the years. But this 60th anniversary, we want to make it mega, to make it much, much bigger. And so we have several activities. This one is our health and wellness fair, and we are giving back to the community,” said host pastor, Minister Janet Bramwell.

The fair was hosted on church grounds last Sunday.

The diamond jubilee is particularly favourable to seniors, as they were feted with care packages and other services, thanks to the support of sponsors.

“Once you are 60 years and over, you get a care package. You get gifts. You get to see the doctor. And we specialise this year also in prostate checks for men,” Bramwell told the Jamaica Observer.

In addition to general practitioners and members of the community, donations and care packages were also provided by Massy Distributors, Phoenix Eye Care, physiotherapists from athlete Yohan Blake’s wellness centre, and child diversion officers.

More than 250 community and church members benefited from numerous services, including prostate, hypertension, and diabetes checks, in addition to haircuts and massages offered through the Heart/NSTA Trust.

Wheelchair-bound Janice Reynolds was among those who had high praises for the initiative. She has had a challenge attending church since she lost both legs but was happy she made it the fair.

“Mi test mi pressure, mi test mi sugar; all is well. I went to the barber and I’m waiting to get a massage. It’s very good that the church is doing it; everybody can come out and enjoy the day, and it is free,” she said.

Waltham resident Clarence Palmer was grateful for the opportunity and now knows he has to make some lifestyle changes.

“I didn’t even know I had high blood pressure. I have to go do more and more exercise,” he said.

Sixty-two-year-old Roy Allen was pleased with his haircut and was looking forward to finding out what was in the care package he received.

“I don’t know what is in it, but I need it. The church should continue to uplift the community,” he said.

Pastor Artnel Simon described the prostate examination as a seamless process and encouraged men — especially with June being men’s mental health awareness month — to be open to checking their prostate.

“I did the test and it was normal. I had no fear. I just did what the doctor said I was to do and I am comfortable. I would say to other men that there is no fear. It’s less than three minutes,” said Simon.

Medical personnel who provided care throughout the day also applauded the health fair.

“It’s very good for the church to do initiatives like this because sometimes it’s not just about the health conditions that patients have, but they have other socio-economic conditions. So patients may not be aware of help that might be available in their community because a lot of patients would voice that, ‘Yes, I can see the doctor. Yes, I can get my medication, but I can’t get food in order to take my medication,’” said Dr Kaydeen Dietrich, who examined approximately 20 patients.

“That was a concern that was brought up a few times today. Having a church community that they can reach out to or having government programmes that they can utilise like PATH [Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education] is very helpful,” added Dietrich.

Those who turned out for the event also benefited from the expertise of representatives of the Ministry of Justice. As parish child diversion officer for Kingston Suzette Faulknor explained, they partnered with the church in a bid to provide support for those who “are emotionally hurt and injured and we want to give children who have come in conflict with the law a second chance.

“The referral must come from a police or from the court, but we will provide mentorship, training, support as it relates to education, counselling, and all of that, all at the expense of the Government of Jamaica,” she told the Observer.

Faulknor highlighted the importance of finding a balance between spiritual and psycho-emotional support.

“The truth is prayer is very important and God still works miracles, but we understand that a lot of problems that we go through there are underlying issues that you can’t just pray over.

“Some things need to be treated by the psychiatrists, the counsellors, the mentors. And we have trained people in the field that can assist to bring about change. Partnering is creating the balance. You give the spiritual and you give whatever is needed emotionally to support that,” added Faulknor.