Parish nursing is an idea born out of the understanding of the healing ministry of the church and the need to return to health care that focuses on the whole person, emphasizing wellness, disease prevention and spiritual health.

A Parish Nurse is a registered nurse (RN) with additional theological training who serves members of the congregation and often people in the community as well.

The role of the Parish nurse is not primarily to deal with sickness, but more significantly to be:

a health educator and teacher to promote healthy lifestyles and help people understand the relationship between lifestyle, faith and well being.
a professional health counselor to help people sort out health problems and make appropriate plans for handling them.
a communication link and support for community health resources and services, to provide referrals and be a liaison for the church and its members.
a teacher of volunteers who recruits members and trains them to carry out a range of supportive service.
a resource to assist with the assessment of congregational and community health needs.

The goals and objectives of this project are:

To conduct monthly Wellness Programs such as

Blood Pressure Clinics

Flu Clinics

Blood Sugar Screenings

Osteoporosis Screenings

Foot Clinics

Well baby home care

Be a resource in the community and help develop health programs with other congregations on the Rt. 24 Corridor.
To provide one major educational event per year on the topic of Health, Healing, Spirituality.
To coordinate a ministry of laying on of hands and prayers for healing in public acts of worship and in private visitation, collaboratively with the Licensed Eucharistic Ministers.

Helping to make real and visible the connection between body, mind and spirit, is the ancient and rightful role of the spiritual community, especially the church. We believe that in living out the admonition of St. Paul to be "doers and not hearers only" of the gospel animates the spiritual life of those who participate in ministry as well as those who benefit from the ministry. We recruit volunteers to help fill out forms, keep records, greet people and talk with those who are anxious, as well as assist with filling out referral forms for follow-up care with a physician. It is important to note that all programs are open to all churches, meeting places, temples and synagogues in the Chathams as well as in the Rt. 124 corridor.