The Ministry of Health and Healing

Promoting wellness…  Restoring health…  Nurturing individuals…
Empowering communities to achieve their healthiest holistic state of well-being:

•  physically  •  spiritually   •  mentally   •  emotionally  •

WHAT IS A PARISH NURSE?

Parish Nurses are experienced Professional Nurses with advanced education in holistic nursing care that combines faith with the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being of individuals and faith communities. Our Parish Nurse participates in mutual ministry with our congregation, our Ministry of Health & Healing Committee, and members of our pastoral staff and local resources as we pursue a sense of well-being and wholeness together as a faith community.

WHAT IS A MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HEALING?

The Ministry of Health and Healing is a voluntary committee composed of United Methodist healthcare workers, consumers and laity who are concerned about the overall health and well-being of our congregation and the community at large. As a committee we provide leadership and coordination that facilitates congregational & community health, wholeness, and well-being.

WHY DO WE NEED THIS MINISTRY?

All one needs to do is listen to the joys and concerns expressed during our worship services to know that the health of our bodies, minds and souls is an essential part of our faith life together. As a community of faith we celebrate occassions of good health and well-being at the same time we struggle with health and holistic concerns for ourselves, our community and our world.

As a committe serving in ministry, it is important to us that we hear and respond to the holistic needs of our congregation and our community. Along with the expertise and support of our Parish Nurse, we provide leadership and coordination that facilitates congregational and community health, healing and wholeness as we all strive together toward optimal well-being in our world.

A Methodist is... one who loves the Lord their God with all their heart (emotional), with all their soul (spiritual), with all their mind (mental), and with all their strength (physical). - John Wesley

THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & HEALING COMMITTEE PROVIDES:

• Blood pressure monitoring
• Monthly news articles and bulletin board information
• Care notes & health pamphlets
• Weekly NIA exercise classes
• AED unit with associated support, maintenance & safety measures
• CPR & AED training and certification annually
• Congregational surveys regarding health and wellness needs
• Support/Educational programs throughout the year
• Various health screening, prevention and/or health promotion services
• Annual Health Fair Event
• Encourage healthy snacks for fellowship events
• Provide health-related outreach ministries
• Participate in caring ministries and healing worship services
• Partner with area healthcare providers in response to community needs
• Provide the services of a parish nurse

THE UNIQUE MINISTRY OF OUR PARISH NURSE:

• Promotes the holistic well-being of persons throughout their lifetime
• Nurtures the community through prayer and other healing spiritual practices
• Integrades faith into health, healing & wellness concepts and practices
• Serves as a health, healing and wellness:
  • Representative
  • Consultant
  • Educator
  • Referral Source
  • Advocate
• Is involved in pastoral care, spiritual practices & worship services
• Complements the pastoral staff and laity in their ministries
• Facilitates the weekly prayer group ministry and faith book study
• Contributes to study and/or supportive small group ministries
• Participates in community outreach & partnering opportunities
• Regularly participates in meetings of the staff, Administrative Council, SPRC, Long-range planning and the Ministry of Health and Healing
• Functions as staff liaison for the Ministries of Health and Healing committee
• Member of the Parish Nurse Network Coalition at CMH and the International Parish Nurse Resource Center
• Enrolled in a Masters Program for Pastoral Care & Counseling at Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary

For more information about our Ministry of Health & Healing, or current programming information, contact Susan Haller by phone: 262-251-3830 or e-mail susanh@ec-umc.com.

Vaccine Information Web Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics web site with information specifically geared towards parents regarding the most current recommendations, infectious disease outbreaks, vaccine safety and links to the CDC’s personalized immunization scheduler for children.  http://www.cispimmunize.org/  

Vaccine For Children Program, a program that decreases the cost of vaccines for children who do not have insurance or their insurance doesn’t cover vaccines.  Children enrolled in this program pay a small administration fee for each vaccine they receive.   http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vfc/Default.htm 

Adult Vaccine Recommendations:  http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/adult-schedule.htm.  This information is included as part of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Immunization web site.  This web site is a comprehensive site for adults and adolescents that includes a questionnaire that identifies vaccines you should get according to your age and specific health risk factors.  It also includes background information regarding each disease covered be each vaccine.

Child and Adolescent Vaccine Recommendations:  http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm.  This information is included as part of the CDC National Immunization web site.  This web site is a comprehensive site for childhood vaccine information.  Parents can review or download the “Parent’s Guide to Childhood Immunizations.”  This booklet includes information regarding how vaccines work, information regarding the 13 diseases and each diseases vaccine.

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©ECUMC  .   phone 262-251-3830  .   fax 262-251-4839  .   Menomonee Falls, WI 53051