CITY OF EDISON, NEW DOVER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND VELLORE
CMC FOUNDATION PARTNER TO BRING HELP AND HOPE TO THE CHILDREN OF INDIA
John Riehl, President & CEO, Vellore CMC Foundation
The Vellore CMC Foundation is excited to announce its inaugural New Dover Dash-or-Dally 5K, a 5-kilometer Walk/Run event scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025 Organized in collaboration with the City of Edison, NJ and the New Dover United Methodist Church, the New Dover Dash-or-Dally 5K offers people of all ages – and all fitness levels – the opportunity to come together in support of a most important cause – providing high-quality, affordable healthcare for South India’s most underserved women and children
Hosted by the New Dover United Methodist Church (in Edison, NJ), this event will help raise funds to support India’s leading private healthcare institution, the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore in India, in its mission to care for India’s most marginalized urban and rural populations. To commemorate its 125-year anniversary, CMC Vellore has re-dedicated its resources towards strengthening and expanding community health services, addressing India’s most urgent needs with integrity, compassion and excellence.
CMC Vellore’s key community health programs include: (1) treatment of pediatric diabetes and other endocrine disorders, (2) cervical cancer screening and early treatment for women, (3) nursing and community health worker scholarships for poverty-stricken young girls, and (4) day care centers for the elderly. NEW DOVER
DEVOTIONAL - 1
FROM SILICON VALLEY TO THE JAWADHI HILLS: A JOURNEY OF FAITH AND COMPASSION - 2
BRIDGE HOUSE – A HAVEN OF HEALING AT CMC - 5 PARTICIPATION OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN THE TEACHING AND HEALING MINISTRY OF CHRIST- 4
DEVOTIONAL
“WhenJesusenteredJerusalem,thewholecitywasinturmoil, asking,‘Whoisthis?’”(Matthew21:10NRSVue)
J.JayakiranSebastian, Presbyter,ChurchofSouthIndiaandH.George AndersonChairandProfessorofMissionandCulturesattheUnited LutheranSeminary|Gettysburg+Philadelphia
Sometimes when texts are read on a particular occasion, like Palm Sunday, we address the text and set it aside till the next year However, I believe that we need to learn from the Bible “at all times and in all places” and here we see the people of Jerusalem encountering the strange sight of a man entering Jerusalem seated on an ass, accompanied by a foal, with other folk laying down their outer garments in front of this man and waving branches, asking “Who is this?” This is a question that we too are constrained to ask, “Who is this?” Are we prepared to welcome this man seated on an ass and join people in shouting “Hosanna?” Many of us would prefer Jesus to be a bit more restrained and exhibit “proper and correct” behavior and not draw attention to himself by seemingly making a spectacle of himself. We want things to be done in an orderly and reasonable manner and this passage seems to be one where events unfold in unusual and peculiar, almost bizarre, ways But this is what our Lord awaits from us – are we prepared to welcome this Jesus right now, right here, and respond in faith to the ongoing question “Who is this?” Who is this man from Galilee who comes into our midst, shaking up things that seemed to be neat and tidy, not least in the church and church institutions, who questions simplistic ways of keeping things well-ordered and ship-shape, explainable and appropriate to fostering good order, and startles us, forcing us to respond afresh to the call to follow Jesus anew, right here and right now, in our ongoing journey of faithful discipleship.
As someone who had once camped in the Amethi forest during my scouting years, the idea of ministering in similar sylvan surroundings stirred something deep within me When we learned of the need for sustainable sanitation in remote villages, our Spectrum Kids were eager to help They mobilized and raised funds to build restrooms one of the most basic yet essential components of community health and dignity
In 2023, while on sabbatical, I had the privilege of visiting these projects with my family What we witnessed was nothing short of inspiring We met Dr Anu, whose tireless work alongside other nonprofit partners extends beyond healthcare to include pioneering efforts in education, irrigation, sports, and night schools for children Archery, rooted in the tribal DNA, is also being reimagined as a tool for achievement, empowerment and future employment.
One unforgettable moment came when village residents embraced us with overwhelming warmth and traditional tribal welcome, even inviting us to plant trees around a newly built community center another vital project supported by the CMC Foundation. We also visited RUHSA, where 200–300 women receive care daily. There, we saw firsthand the joyful and sacrificial work of a small team of physicians, faithfully serving despite limited resources.
Toward the end of our trip, I met with the Dean of CMC, who shared both the growing vision and the mounting challenges the institution faces, including the development of a new facility to meet the escalating demand for affordable, compassionate healthcare.
What struck me most in this journey is the enduring power of legacy. The seeds sown by pioneers like Dr. Ida Scudder who dared to dream of medical care for the marginalized continue to bear fruit. Seeing the establishment of a hospital and training center (with accommodations) in the Jawadhi Hills, nearly 100 years later, is a testament to a vision that far outlasted its visionary.
“WHAT STRUCK ME MOST IN THIS JOURNEY IS THE ENDURING POWER OF LEGACY. THE SEEDS SOWN BY PIONEERS LIKE DR. IDA SCUDDER WHO DARED TO DREAM OF MEDICAL CARE FOR THE MARGINALIZED CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT.”
Throughoutmylife,I’vebeendeeplyinspiredbythe courageandconvictionsofmissionalleaderslikeIda Scudder,AmyCarmichael,CorrietenBoom,andDietrich Bonhoeffer.Theseindividualsdidn’tjustpreachthe gospel;theyembodiedit transformingsocietiesthrough holisticmission.
AtSpectrumChurch,westrivetofollowtheirexample. Throughrelationaldiscipleshipandglobalengagement,we partnerwithministriesacrosstheMiddleEast,Central Asia,Africa,andIndia. WehopetoexpandtoSouth AmericaandPapuaNewGuineainthecomingyears,so wemayplayasmallroleoneverycontinentinfulfilling God'scalltoblessthenations
Locally,we’vepartneredwithinitiativesaddressinggang prevention,supportingAfghanimmigrantsandrefugees, andservingchildrenatalocalelementaryschoolthrough weeklyKidsClubs.Thesearehumblebutsignificantsteps towardbuildingamorejustandChrist-centeredsociety.
Ourprayeristhatthegospelweproclaimwouldcontinue toshine notjustthroughsermons,butthroughservice, sacrifice,andlong-termpartnership.Aswewalkalongside organizationsliketheVelloreCMCFoundation,weare honoredtobepartofacentury-longstoryofhope, healing,andwholeness.
MaythelegacyofIdaScudderandotherslikeherinspire usall notjusttoadmirefaithfromafar,buttostep forwardandliveitout
OnetestimonycamefromtheCollegeofMedicineofthe AdventistUniversityofthePhilippines(AUPCOM)about howthepublicteachinghospitalappreciatestheserviceof ourmedicalstudents Thehospital'sleadershipobserved howthemedicalstudentsdidtheirclinicalclerkships, including“prayingwithandencouragingpatients,rolemodelingwholepersoncaretothehospitalpost-graduate interns,andtotheresidents.”Oneoftheseniorstudents reportedthatthepublicteachinghospitalhadadded AUPCOMmedicalstudentstothehospitalethics committee.Heshared,“Weareabletorespondtocardiac codeswithclinicalcompetence.Weknowhowtointubate andstabilizepatients.Butif,Godforbid,apatientdies,we alsoknowhowtoprovidespiritualcaretothefamily.”
JesussaidtoHisdisciples:“Theharvesttrulyisplentiful, butthelaborersarefew Therefore,praytheLordofthe harvesttosendoutlaborersintoHisharvest”(Matt9:3738) Wearethosedisciplestowhomthecallisgivento
BRIDGE HOUSE – A HAVEN OF HEALING AT CMC
produce laborers for His harvest. Faith is not only believed intellectually but, also, lived out in service to others. Jesus calls us to theological thinking not as an end in itself but as vital intellectual support for the real mission of God, which is the healing of broken humanity. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is committed to preparing medical missionary workers to further the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
“The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches, they have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports
It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a Divine design And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing
Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!
And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator ” - Pope Francis
Bridge House is CMC’s new undertaking to provide affordable accommodation for long-term care patients, often from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
With a focus on Pediatric transplant patients, Bridge House will “touch the wounds of people” and help them experience the healing ministry of Jesus Christ through CMC. This hallmark characteristic of CMC’s mission will enable residents to experience the compassionate care
provided by CMC especially through building community in Christ within a nurturing environment A safe and hygienic space that will ensure the patient’s recovery and restoration while alleviating non-medical financial burdens The project also seeks to establish a self-sustaining model of holistic care aligned with CMC's “calling” of precision medicine in improving patient outcomes
Akin to the Ronald McDonald House model of care, Bridge House will focus on supporting the emotional, social, and physical well-being of those dwelling within Families are stronger when they are together! Additionally, in helping to fulfill the Indian health care system’s unique requirement for an in-hospital attendant, Bridge House recognizes the significant impact of the proximity of a family member to their loved one’s need for respite and community The specialized Ranipet hospital campus is the ideal location for this immense endeavor, facilitating convenient access to follow-up care, chemotherapy, and ongoing treatment In this serene hospital campus, Bridge House will provide living accommodation for 162 patients and their family members within a 10-story building, while enhancing
patient recovery by reducing exposure to infection and avoiding unnecessary travel
CMC’s history in organ transplantation, is highlighted by several successful “firsts” in India, including kidney and bone marrow transplants Commitment to affordability, pioneering work in transplantation, and a patient-centric approach make CMC a leading institution in India for organ transplants, among other specialties Seeking wellness, CMC is visited by more than 9,000 patients daily (30 lakh patients/year), from diverse communities all over India and neighboring countries like Bangladesh Over the past two years over 400 bone marrow transplants were performed at CMC, requiring long-term stays for patients in an environment that promotes physical and spiritual healing and restoration
Consider Jeevlin’s (name changed) story - six-year-old Jeevlin was diagnosed by CMC’s Hematology department with a condition that needed a stem cell transplant Jeevlin’s impoverished family received subsidized care at CMC After his discharge the family’s dilemma was finding adequate living facilities near the hospital, which was next to impossible The family had to subsequently rough it out in a remote and tiny lodge room where Jeevlin’s father had to sleep on the floor outside
Life-saving treatments for children and adults can last from a few weeks to a few months Families grappling with conditions that need long-term care like cancer and kidney diseases not only face these health challenges but also the added stress of finding affordable, secure and clean housing close to Ranipet Financially constrained individuals often resort to crowded lodges, heightening infection risks for immunocompromised patients
Bridge House, the perfect solution to address this urgent need, will host patients in 8 private and 10 family rooms per floor, with balconies and an elevator providing easy access and transport within the building In addition, special areas will be dedicated for shared cooking facilities, laundry rooms, lounges, a grocery store on the ground level and play spaces on the floors with pediatric patients The outdoor landscaping will include a verdant garden and an engaging playground for children along with specific sites designated for parking vehicles As with all CMC’s buildings, a Chapel will provide opportunities for quiet reflection and prayer
A “bridgehouse” can also be seen metaphorically as a place that facilitates change and growth It can be a sanctuary
where individuals can experience greater transformation and regeneration Hebrew 9:11 says, “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation”
CMC's legacy extends beyond its physical infrastructure, encompassing the Christian values and spirit of service that have guided its development over decades This special “tabernacle” – Bridge House - is one that will bring support to families during difficult times, while providing a sense of community, comfort and renewal Dr Ida Scudder was known to say, “We are not building a medical school, but the Kingdom of God ” Bridge House is yet another layer of Dr Ida’s legacy a legacy rooted in empathy and compassionate service, helping to build the Kingdom of God on earth
The goal of the Vellore CMC Foundation is to raise $500,000 to help construct and furnish one of the nine residency floors, ensuring comfortable accommodations for all pediatric transplant patients.
Without Bridge House, many patients face unclean living conditions, exorbitant costs, and the stress of frequent travel, all of which compromise recovery and increase healthcare expenses.
DONOR NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
Bridge House Chapel – $50,000
Patient/Family Living Accommodation – $30,000
Patient/Single Family Member Rooms – $10,000
Communal Areas – $10,000
Children’s Outdoor Playground – $5,000
General Gifts – Individuals/families who donate $500 or more will have their name place on the Wall of Gratitude located in the Bridge House reception area
Every gift, large or small, helps build more than a structure it builds peace of mind for families in crisis
To learn more, please visit www.vellorecmc.org/bridgehouse or contact Deepika Srivastava at deepika@vellorecmc.org