Parish Nurses KS LCMS

Parish Nurses

updated 04/30/08

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What Is A Parish Nurse

A parish nurse is the visible symbol of the congregation's healing and health ministry. Gifted and educated for a health profession, the parish nurse assists members in the body of Christ in the care and nurture of the life God has given them. The parish nurse combines a knowledge of the body with Christian motivation to help people toward better health.

The Kansas District Parish Nurse Committee provides consultations to congregations who are interested in the ministry of parish nursing.

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Committee Members

Mary Hume , R.N.
Prince of Peace - Topeka

maryhme2001(a)yahoo.com
5628 SW Hawick, Topeka, KS 66614
Phone: 785- 272-5905

Marlene Kohlmeier
Faith - Topeka
337 NW Bent Tree Lane Topeka, KS 66618
Phone: 785-286-0805

Marie Goscha, RN, BSN
Holy Cross Lutheran - Wichita
mgoscha(a)cox.net
414 N Hampton Rd., Wichita, KS 67206
Phone: 316-684-0213

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More Information

(click below for more information on the following topics)

Kansas District Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
1000 SW 10th Ave - Topeka, KS 66604
1-800-357-4421 - 785-357-4441 -- fax 785-357-5071

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Rationale

SCRIPTURAL BASIS

"And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God
and to heal the sick." Luke 9:2

THE MISSION

The Mission of the Kansas District--LCMS Parish Nurse Committee is to encourage and assist Kansas District--LCMS churches establish and grow Christ-centered, wholistic health ministries.

ESTABLISHMENT

The Kansas District--LCMS Parish Nurse Committee was established in 1997 as a subcommittee of the Board of Caring Ministries. The Kansas District Parish Nurse Representative, Connie Scheffer, Trinity Lutheran Church, Salina, was appointed by the District President, Howard Patten.

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History

Jesus' healing ministry did not end when He ascended to heaven. Under the call of the Holy Spirit, the church began a healing ministry of prayer with and for the sick, ministry of the Word, and ministry of the Sacraments. For 2000 years the church has responded with healing support, healing relationships, and healing comfort for those in need.

Historians have been able to trace the development of parish nursing back to our Lutheran heritage in Germany and even further back to Phoebe in the early church. In the United States, the parish nurse movement began in the Chicago area, around 1984, when Granger Westberg, a Lutheran Chaplain, began placing nurses in churches to work with Pastors to meet the wholistic needs of church members. He coined the phrase, "parish nurse".Parish nursing is a specialized area of professional practice that offers the opportunity for nurses to share Christ through word and deed to people within the Congregation and the community.

Parish nursing is a wholistic practice, meeting the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient. The nurse fulfills the following 5 roles in her healing ministry: she serves as a) health educator to groups and individuals, b) health counselor, c) recruiter and trainer of volunteers, d) liaison to community and church resources, and e) health promotion coordinator. Parish nursing is an extension of the pastoral ministry, and together the ministerial team conducts a health and healing ministry.

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Committee Services

The Parish Nurse Committee is available to assist LCMS churches, pastors, nurses, and lay persons begin Parish Nurse Ministry Programs in several ways.

Informational programs for parish nurses are conducted in a locale, when there are several churches in that area desiring information and assistance needed to begin a parish nurse ministry.
Regional Networking meetings are held annually, providing an opportunity for parish nurses, or those interested in parish nursing to meet together to discuss concerns, problems, successes, resources, programs, and to meet other parish nurses in their area.
Continuing education programs are presented, usually twice annually, to inform parish nurses about contemporary issues surrounding parish nursing, how to incorporate spiritual care into a program, and topics of interest to the nurses.
A quarterly District newsletter is prepared and available to all District parish nurses. It is filled with educational, financial and programming resources.
Information packets are available to any person or church that wishes to know more about starting a parish nurse health ministry.
Consultation via phone or on-site visit is available to an individual church/parish nurse regarding starting a program or to discuss any concern regarding parish nurse ministry.
Arrangements can be made for a member of the Committee to meet with the congregation to help explain what they can expect if they start a parish nurse program.
Members of the Committee attend induction services for parish nurses when they are aware of them and whenever possible.

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Education Calendar

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Directory

Anschutz, Eva	Zion, Vassar
Anschutz, Margaret	Faith, Topeka
Bode, Kathy	Messiah, Emporia
Borman, Eunice	Trinity, Winfield
Burtness, Danette	Ascension, Wichita
Calaway, Pat	Immanuel, Wichita
Carson, Sylvia	Risen Savior, Wichita
Christ, Mary	Lord of Life, Leawood
Clobes, Julie	Trinity, Overland Park
Connell, Dee	Messiah, Hays
Connell, Renelda	Calvary, Topeka
Curtis, Pat	Zion, Newton
Goscha, Marie	Holy Cross, Wichita
Griffin, Marilyn	Trinity, Salina
Hageman, Joyce	Immanuel, Hepler
Hamm, Greta	Christ, Topeka
Hatfield, Susan	Mt. Calvary, Wamego
Herrick, Linda	Faith, Ottawa
Hill, Jan	Christ the King, Salina
Hofmeier, Lois	Zion, Argonia
Hume, Mary K.	Prince of Peace, Topeka
Karst, Annette	Our Savior, Kansas City
Keller, Jaque	Trinity, Wichita
Lucas, Denise	Christ, Elkhart
Ludwig, Char	Bethany, Overland Park
Miles, Jeanne	St. Paul, Haven
Morris, Peggy	St. Peters, Humboldt
Quenstedt-Moe, Gretchen	Trinity, Leavenworth
Riedel, Jannie	Hope, Shawnee
Rohrberg, Eileen	Messiah, Hays
Griffin, Marilyn	Trinity, Salina
Short, Sally	Trinity, McFarland
Soeken, Jan	Bethany, Overland Park
Spikes, Janice	Parish Nurse, Consultant, St. Luke, Manhattan
Tiszka, Rose	St. Luke, Kansas City
Warford, Janet	Redeemer, Olathe
Wheeler, Kris	Christ, Augusta

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Resources

“Parish Nurses, Health Care Chaplains, and Community Clergy” by Larry Vandecreek and Sue Mooney, 2002, The Haworth Press, is a good review of the history of parish nursing and the working relationships between nurses and clergy.

Free Arthritis Information can be obtained by calling the Arthritis Foundation at 1-800-242-9945. There is a wide range of material available.

Shaken Baby Syndrome, Prevention, Detection, and Action is a pamphlet for nurses with some good ideas about how to educate professionals and parents about this preventable tragedy. Call 1-888-722-9410 for information.

The American Heart Association has two programs which can be presented easily in churches: “Act in Time” which identifies heart attack signs, and “Stroke: When Minutes Matter”. Send request to 5375 SW 7th St., Topeka, KS 66606

Materials available from the LCMS Health Ministries, 1333 S. Kirkwood Rd., St. Louis, MO 63122.

Christian Care at Life’s End is a report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the LCMS. Feb. 1993. This publication includes excellent guidelines and a 4 part Bible study.
Christian Ethics and End-of-Life Decision Making - Prepared by Howard Mueller.
Life Choices. Who Decides? Following God’s Word in Life and Death Decisions by John Klotz, Ph.D., Concordia Publishing House.
Healthy People: 2010 (Church Edition)

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A Health Fair Manual is available from the LCMS Health Ministries. It provides time guidelines and assistance for planning a health fair. Cost is $3.00. To order, phone them at 314-996-1395 or email health.ministries(a)lcms.org. Copies also available through Mary Hume at 785-272-5905 or email maryhme2001@yahoo.com

Want to have an AED (Automatic Defibrillator) available in your church in case someone experiences a heart attack? Call your local EMS coordinator. They will be able to tell you if they have funds (grant) or how you can get one, often at a reduced price.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has a collection of free, quick-to-download and easy to use materials which can be very helpful to a parish nurse (recipes based on the DASH diet, guidelines for high blood pressure screening and referrals, etc. - The web address is: www.nhlbi.nih.gov

The LCMS Workers Benefit Plan provides a quarterly, 4 page wellness letter, "Better Health". As a parish nurse these are available to you at no cost. It includes some ready to use articles that can be reproduced for your newsletter articles. Call 1-888-WBP-Plan and ask for a free subscription.

For books, Bible studies, and other spiritual resources, contact the Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Mo., 63118; or email through web site: www.cph.org

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"Seasons for Wholeness" Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, by Ruth Dankanich Daumer, is a collection of monthly themes and articles for parish nurse ministries. These articles can be used for your newsletter. Available through Eden Seminary Book Store or call toll-free 1-877-627-5453.

Positive Promotions is a company that provides really good programming materials, i.e., brochures on many topics, kids growth charts, bandage dispensers, First Aid for Children, Safety Outlet plugs, how to teach children to dial 911, stress reducers, etc. To obtain a catalog, call
1-800-635-2666 or email through web site: www.positivepromotions.com

For information on "Keeping Kids & Teens Safer on the Internet,"go to www.netsmartz.org and click on "Parents and Guardians."

For a copy of the annual National Health Observances Calendar (topic of the month), contact the National Wellness Institute, Inc., P.O. Box 827, Stevens Point, Wi. 54481, or call 715-342-2979 or visit the website at http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/who

Formalizing Your Blood Pressure Ministry: Developing Guidelines is a 28 page manual available from Concordia University, Wi. Cost is $10.00. Phone 262-243-2608.

An Informational Video and CD designed for Pastors, nurses, congregation members, and health care professionals, provides an understanding of parish nursing and how it functions in congregations. It is available on loan and is free. Contact any one of the District Parish Nurse Committee members. For contact information, click on Committee Members.

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For information about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome go to www.nofas.org

Health Ministries Association, Inc. is another organization with health information and resources appropriate for parish nursing. The address is P.O. Box 7187, Atlanta, Ga. 30357. Or go to www.healthministriesassociation.org

Kansas Life Project, is a not-for-profit group dedicated to helping all Kansans live with dignity, comfort and peace at the end of life. Their phone # is 1-888-202-5433. The email is www.lifeproject.org

For information on how to assist youth with weight problems, contact the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Obesity Page, go to www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/79.htm Some YMCAs also have fitness programs for teens.

Seeding Health and Hope is a monthly one-page health resource distributed to Lutheran congregations and individuals via fax or email. They can be contacted at wrmail(a)wheatridge.org

Four sources for helping members of your congregation obtain their medications at reduced prices are:

Together RX Card: Seven drug companies have joined together to offer medications at 20-40% of the usual price on more than 145 drugs who are on Medicare AND for singles with incomes up to $28,000 or couples with incomes up to $38,000 AND that have NO OTHER DRUG COVERAGE. Sign-up with Medicare.
Pfizer offers low-income seniors some medications for $15.00/mo. Seniors must be enrolled in Medicare and have an annual income below $18,000 for singles and below $24,000 for couples. Available through Wal-Mart and CVS stores.
Lilly offers a flat $12.00 fee for a 30 day supply of any Lilly retail drug for Seniors who: are a U.S. citizen, a senior or a person with a disability, income of $18,000 or less (individual) or $24,000 (couples), and have no other form of prescription drug coverage. Call toll free 1-877-RX-LILLY.
Medication Assistance: www.needymeds.com/ has a complete listing of pharmacies involved in medication assistance programs. Also see www.diabetesincontrol.com.

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If you have a person/family who needs air transportation to a medical facility, but can't afford it, the organization ANGEL FLIGHT will provide the transportation for no charge via qualified volunteer pilots. They often work in a relay system, if it is a long distance to the required facillity. If the person cannot tolerate this type of relay flight, they sometimes pay for the tickets for the ill person and 1 family member on a commercial flight. For more information call 1-800-474-9464.

"Life Resources Catalog" for Lutherans for Life, 2002-2004 has a large number of booklets, videos, and pamphlets available. Materials deal with all aspects of the sancity of life. To obtain a copy of the catalog, call 1-888-364-LIFE or go to the web at www.lutheransforlife.org

To obtain a copy of "Faith Community Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice," contact Mary Hume at maryhme2001@yahoo.com. Cost is $16.

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Organizations with information and support for persons/families affected with Emotional Health conditions can find resources at the following agencies:

Depression and Related Affected Disorders Association: Phone 1-410-955-4647 or go to the web at www.drada.org
National Mental Health Association: Phone 1-800-969-6642 or go to the web at www.nmha.org
Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation: Phone 1-847-265-8525 or go to the web at www.bpkids.org
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill: Phone 1-800-950-6242 or go to the web at www.nami.org

Creative Communications for the Parish is a company which has a nice assortment of hospital cards, occasion cards (new baby, illness, surgery, serious illness, death, etc.) postcards, pew cards, etc. The cards have Bible verses and prayers which make them very appropriate for the parish nurse ministry. Please ask for Protestant cards. Call 1-800-325-9414 or go to the web at www.creativecommunications.com. Prices vary, but are reasonable.

The Journal of Christian Nursing (JCN) is a good Christian nursing journal for a parish nurse to obtain a subscription. Many articles are written especially for parish nurses. Cost is $19.95/year for 4 issues. To order call 608-274-4823 or write to JCN, Box 7895, Madison, WI, 53707.

Wheat Ridge grants are available to local congregations to facilitate the initial development of congregation-based health and wellness ministries. They fund up to $2000.00/individual church and $6000.00 for collaborative efforts of 2 or more churches. For the next deadline, call 1-800-762-6748.

The Stuttering Foundation of America maintains a toll-free hotline on stuttering. Call 1-800-992-9392 for free informative brochures and a nationwide resource list of speech-language pathologists who specialize instuttering or check the web at www.stutteringhelp.org. The National Stuttering Association has local chapters and provides workshops as well as other information. Call 1-899-361-1677 or check the web at www.stutteringhelp.org/.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association can provide information on speech-language pathologists and other resources. Call 1-888-331-ASHA or check the web at www.asha.org

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"Healthy Child Care" a bi-monthly publication for childcare providers. These articles can be found at www.healthychild.net

"National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs" is available from the American Academy of Pediatrics at
1-800-433-9016 or go to the web at www.aap.org

The Department of Aging serving Butler, Sedgwick and Harvey Counties, have a program called, "Back in Balance: Fall Prevention Services"whereby individuals can be evaluated for risk of falling and therapists will determine whether persons are candidates for rehabilitation. Unintentional falls cause 12% of all deaths in the elderly and are the leading cause of death in those aged 75 years old or older. The risk of death from a fall can be as high as 50%. Eligibility: 60 years of age or more, resident of one of the 3 counties mentioned above, and demonstrate the risk of falling through previous falls or unsteady gait or use of an assistive device. For more information, call 1-316-541-2700.

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Thrivent Financial for Lutherans have some great material on differences between Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance, who qualifies, and updates on changes. This information is available through your Thrivent representative.

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For a Food Pyramid for EVERYONE check this website: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/000023.html#xtocid2381818. This takes you into the Food and Nutrition Information Center of the National Agricultural Library/USDA. Cultural and Ethnic Food and Nutrition Education Materials: A Resource List for Educators-- A Wonderful and Comprehensive List. Scroll down 3/4 of the way to find the FDA Food Pyramid Site for different cultures and age groups. The food pyramid for healthy lifestyles have been developed for several cultural cuisine’s including Thai, Japanese, Arabic, Chinese, Cuban, Mexican, Native American, Russian, Portuguese, Latin American, Spanish, Italian, and Indian, as well as vegetarian and Senior adaptations.

Kansas District Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
1000 SW 10th Ave - Topeka, KS 66604
1-800-357-4421 - 785-357-4441 -- fax 785-357-5071