Congregational Health Ministry

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’.

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’.

What is Congregational Health Ministry?

A health ministry combines the therapeutic qualities of church, community, and faith in God to strengthen the healing task.

Churches exist in virtually every community in this country and consist of people of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds. Because the church is generally more integrated into the life of individuals and communities than our modern medical establishment, it can therefore better enable people to assume responsibility for their own health.

Local churches can help address the need for more appropriate and accessible health care services. More importantly, the church can bring a holistic perspective to a community's understanding of health: One that integrates body, mind, and spirit in congregations and communities, promoting prevention and wellness. The church, therefore, is a strategic place where all elements of health and healing can be discussed. Here people can learn and be nurtured.

Parish Nursing and Health Ministry

A parish nurse is a registered nurse with additional training who use his/her background to serve the needs of the church community. This person helps members of the congregation to become more aware of their health and move toward a fuller sense of wholeness.

What Parish Nurses Do

Parish nurses may engage in the following kinds of ministries:

Visit church members at home or in the hospital
Provide counseling on health-related issues
Make referrals to community resources and provide assistance in obtaining needed health services
Assist members in adapting to important lifestyle changes
Teach classes on how to maintain good health
Provide nursing services to people of all ages
Provide health screenings
Develop support groups within the church
Train and coordinate volunteers

Parish nurses are not expected to provide patient care in the church or at a patient's home. They are a source of referrals for services available in the community. They coordinate existing services and supplement them with a holistic dimension of health and caring.

How Parish Nurses Work

Parish nurses customize their practice to meet the needs of the congregation.

Registered nurses serving as parish nurses must hold a current license in the state of practice and follow the "Scope and Standards of Faith Community Nursing Practice" of the American Nurses Association and the Health Ministry Association.

Taken from the United Methodist Church Board of Global Ministries Website: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/health/parish-nurse/

Meet Weaverville UMC’s Care Network

Chair: Robin Shepherd, MSN, FCN
Parish Nurse

parishnursecoord@yahoo.com

828-645-5380

Prayer Team Leaders: Mary Shaw & Mickie Brooks

Homebound Visitation Team Leaders: Joy Pansiera & Mary Shaw

Sickness/Crisis/Birth Response Team Leader: Jennifer Hilliard

Hospital Visitation: Various care team members

Time of Death Response Team Leaders: Joy Pansiera & Winikay Caffrey

College Students and Military Personnel Liaison: Winikay Caffrey

Transportation:

Ask the Parish Nurse

Contact Robin Shepherd, MSN, FCN at: 645-5380, or: parishnursecoord@yahoo.com

Upcoming Events

Health Fair and Flu Shot Clinic

Saturday, October 17 8AM – 12 noon

Weaverville United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

Sponsored by Weaverville UMC’s Care Network and Mission Hospitals

Featured screenings:

Asthma (free)

Complete Lipid and Glucose ($20.00)

Bone Density ($15.00)

Flu shots (routine flu) $24.50 Pre-registration required

Please note: checks or cash will be accepted. Insurances will not be billed.

Also featured:

Pharmacist “Brown Bag” consultations – bring your medications for review.

Nutrition – pediatric obesity

Breast and Prostate Health

Stroke Awareness

Five Wishes – advanced care planning

Smoking Cessation

Low Vision

H1N1 Information

Weaverville Police Dept. – fingerprinting for children

Weaverville Fire Department

To register for a flu shot, call or email Robin Shepherd, Faith Community Nurse, at: 645-5380 or parishnursecoord@yahoo.com

Volunteers needed!

The Care Network welcomes your participation! We provide cards, calls and visitation to shut-ins, meals for new moms and funerals, hospital and nursing home visitation, transportation to doctor appointments, and more.