PARISH NURSING

For a few years, one of our staff members ran a parish nurse ministry at the church.  She has long since gotten married and moved on to other pastoral responsibilities with her husband John.  Laura (Hodgins) Lankin described her ministry this way:

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Three years ago, a Parish Nursing ministry was born in Windsor at New Song Church by a nurse who prayed, “How can I show the love of Christ to people in a practical way?”  The response was Vital Signs Health Ministries.  This is not a highly visible ministry, but a much needed and appreciated by everyone who’s life is touched by a Parish Nurse.

A Parish Nurse is a registered nurse that is part of the pastoral leadership of a church.  Some aspects of this ministry include hospital and home visitation, praying with the sick, referrals to community resources, health promotion, assessment and counseling.  The Parish Nurses at New Song Church joined one of the parish nursing organizations called Inter-Church Health Ministries based in Oshawa for support and training.  From this partnership, we learned:

     *Parish Nurses are not just nurses working in a church building.

     *Parish Nurses do not replace or duplicate any services already offered in the community.

     *Parish Nurses do not work alone, but in collaboration with a health committee and church leadership.

Parish Nurses are specially trained to incorporate nursing care with spiritual care of the church and community.

For almost three years, I was a Parish Nurse at New Song Church.  I had the privilege of finding some potentially serious health problems and referring these people to a physician before their condition became symptomatic; praying with people in often desperate situations; organizing a smoking cessation group; lice checks; and growing to know and love the people of this inner city community and church.  Although most often behind the scenes here at New Song Church, Parish Nursing has become an intricate part of this church and community.  My hope is that other church leaders see Parish Nursing as a practical ministry to both the church and secular community.  

                                               

Laura Hodgins RN, B.TH