Our Health Ministry
Our Congregational Nurse (Donna Rutherford, RN) provides a healing ministry that helps support and fulfill the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our congregation. She is a volunteer on staff, our nurse minister.
Blood Pressure Screenings
Donna holds blood pressure screenings on the 1st Sunday of each month in the Pastoral Care Office. High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have high blood pressure is to be tested periodically for it. Stop by and have your numbers checked.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
It helps heal others, and it's healthy for you, too! Check it out!
Donna's Notes for July
The summer vacation season is upon us. I hope you have time this season for family, friends and a change of pace. The July Health Ministry bulletin board located in the hallway has a variety of articles for healthy living. The focus this month is on humor and happiness and how both are important for good health. There are also articles for safe summer travel and home safety. I hope all of your activities this summer are safe and happy.
New On Our Health Ministry Bulletin Board
- Humor Therapy as a Stress Reducer
- Happiness May Come with Age & The Happiness Health Connection
- Poems and cartoons from A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
- Tips for Healthy Travel simple steps to make your trip a safe one
- Healthy at 30,000 feet what to do to minimize the risk of blood clots, motion sickness etc.
- Dont Let the Bedbugs Bite how to recognize and not bring them home when you travel
- When you Hit Your Head concussion vs. serious head injury when to seek help
- Nose Bleed How to manage
- Muscle Gain Without the Pain low-intensity training benefits with low risks
- The New Frozen Yogurt Craze How healthy is the new tart-tasting yogurt?
- Prayerful readings from How Then, Shall We Live? By Wayne Muller
Services and Duties of the Congregational Nurse
Donna serves our congregation as:
- a health and wellness educator
- a health and wellness counselor
- a community liaison and personal advocate
- a member of the Pastoral Care Team
All conversations and records are strictly confidential. All records are secure. No one else has access to the records of the congregational nurse.
Her duties can include:
- Meeting individually with clients in the home, church, or hospital to provide holistic care and support.
- Advocating for clients in the health system.
- Promoting health education.
- Providing health screening and monitoring, as with our First Sunday Blood Pressure Screenings.
- Assessing the needs of the congregation and establishing programs to meet these needs.
- Assisting in locating resources for the community.
The Congregational Nurse does not give direct hands-on treatment but helps to empower and enable clients in their healing journey.