Parish Nursing and Health Ministries in the local church settings has been a movement that began in the 70's but in fact has always been a part of the Christian tradition.

Health ministry in a local congregation is an intentional ministry focusing on both healing and health, combining the traditions of the Christian community and the knowledge and tools of modern health care.

The current health care system in the United States is primarily disease oriented. Too often it isn't a cohesive, holistic system, but is fragmented and enormously expensive.

We in the church, on the other hand are in the business of healing, of making whole, and of doing so in community. The local congregation is a place where health professionals and lay people can work together to keep people well, to empower and educate, to advocate for health and to care for people in need.

Health ministry does not replicate services tht already exist in the community, but rather works with community partners and resources.

The roles of the health ministries include those of Health Advocacy, Health Education, Health Counseling and Provider of Monitoring and Screening.

The Health ministry role is limited in they are not permitted to diagnose or treat, act as a home health nurse by dispensing medications or treatment, do physical, occupational or psychotherapy, or act as a clergy.

The goals of our committee are to:

• Establishing a "Health Bulletin Board" with monthly displays - which we currently have outside the wall of the choir room.
• To provide health information through written items in the Sunday Service bulletin and monthly church paper (the Spire).
• To provide outside speakers or provide programs in coordination with our established meetings and/or to use the facilities to provide speakers and invite other congregation members and those in our community.
• To establish a health ministry umbrella that will incorporate and provide information about our already established health services such as the blood drive and our shawl ministry.
• To provide health screenings for hypertension and other disease processes.
• To provide for the establishment and upkeep of emergency boxes in the facility.
• To offer other health related services such as flu shots and immunizations at our church.

Past Activities

Speakers on Alzheimer's disease and Hearing issues.

Walk to Bethlehem: We walked nearly 9,000 miles in 10 weeks. Pretty impressive!

Week 1: 636 miles: Biloxi, Mississippi
Week 2: 854 miles: Bermuda
Week 3: 1195 miles: We are on the water, and learned facts about the Atlantic Ocean
Week 4: 1128 miles: Azores
Week 5: 1039 miles: Casablanca, Morocco
Week 6: 924 miles: Tunisia
Week 7: 1093 miles: Turkey
Week 8: 620 miles: Cairo, Egypt
Week 9: 869 miles: Damascus, Jordan
Week 10: 776 miles: Bethlehem, West Bank

Members of this committee are Dr. Nadler, our MD Consultant, Pastor Marty, Laura Berding, Edna Howe, Kathy Grant, Katie Schnell, Lynn Sparks, and Carol Westermeyer.

Coming Soon

Blood Pressures will be taken in the Library before and immediately after Service on the following dates: July 11, 2010 and October 10, 2010.

There will be congregational Survey in the bulletin and Spire to determine the need and requests of all.

Carol Westermeyer, RN, BSN