Parish Nurse Ministry

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Parish Nurse Ministry

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News from the Parish Nurse

Service of Prayer and Healing

A Service of Prayer and Healing is held the first Sunday of every month following the last service. This is a time that we can pray for people requesting prayer and healing; we can also pray in intercession for those people not in attendance.

Monthly Cancer Support Group

Join us every first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the church library.

Blood Pressure Clinic

Cathy Thomas, our Parish Nurse, will check blood pressures the FIRST Sunday morning of every month. Her office is down the hall past Pastor John’s office.

 

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Parish Nurse Office Hours

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Palliative Care

What the Bible says about being sick and receiving care…

         “Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.”   —Psalm 86

          In the day of my trouble, I will call to you, for you will answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, ONews Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life…men without regard for you. But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.”

Thank God for these wonderful words of David’s prayer; when we are sick and facing the uncertainties of health and life, these words can bring comfort and strength. These words can re-focus our hearts of faith and help us seek support and care. Let me introduce the concept of “palliative care”.

Palliative Care: To palliate means to reduce or eliminate suffering, and so palliative care can be applied to any patient who is having symptoms that cause suffering or impact their daily functioning. This is not only for end of life situations! There are many areas in palliative care; certainly eliminating symptoms and pain become paramount, but also addressing other areas may reduce the stress caused by not addressing specific issues. After pain and symptom management, ethical issues (what does the church say – or where is GOD?) may need to be addressed. Cultural considerations (in our country we do things differently), communication (what am I saying, or how can I tell you what I want), loss (of health, body functions, life), grief (pre-grief) and bereavement and final hours (how will they be managed) are all concerns that weigh heavily on patients and family members and friends. All of these areas can be concerning, and yet when these issues are brought to the forefront, the concerns can be acknowledged and clarity will guide the steps moving forward.

I will be teaching a class during the New Community Hour that will help guide the steps of people needing care and those of you providing care. This can bring difficult topics to light, with practical ways and conversation starters, and providing steps to follow. Watch for calendar updates for the specific dates. In the meantime, if you have current needs that need to be addressed, please come see me.

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