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First Lutheran Church’s Parish Nurses are
Arlyn Davis, R.N. and Val Trumm, R.N., B.S.N.
These parish nurses share a part-time position, working 20 hours per week.
“Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
We DO assist members of the congregation and community with:
- Provide health assessments and screenings
- Lead the Faithfully Fit Forever exercise classes…twice per year, series of 8 classes
- Lead walking group that meets at Viking Plaza Mall every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
- Visit homebound and hospitalized members
- Coordinate plan following discharge from hospital or nursing home
- Assist families at times of crisis
- Available to talk with people, by phone or in parish health office, related to health concerns
- Contact physician’s office for individuals that need assistance
- Direct and coordinate volunteers to assist with various programs and needs of individuals
- Promote awareness of parish health program activities through newsletter articles and parish health bulletin board
- Supply library with health and wellness articles
- Confidentially coordinate with the Care Team (pastors and parish nurses) related to members’ health and wellness issues
- Collaborate with other parish health nurses
- Teach health classes to various age groups in the congregation
- Guide persons to use existing community resources
- Initiate support groups as needed for specific issues within the congregation
- Assist members in obtaining needed health services
- Help members understand the relationship between body, mind and spirit
- Assist members in adapting important lifestyle changes
- Share current health trends through newsletter articles and health classes
We do NOT provide hands-on physical care or invasive procedures.
Handicapped Equipment Loan Closet
Durable medical equipment is available for members of the church and larger community to check out on a short-term basis, such as after a hospitalization or stay at a nursing home. This can be particularly helpful also if a person is deciding about purchasing a particular piece of equipment, as they can borrow from the loan closet to see how the equipment works for them prior to purchasing. The equipment has been donated by people not needing it any more, or purchased with monies that have been donated to our program. To check out items contact the church office at (320) 762-2196.
Equipment items available for checkout include:
Wheelchairs Crutches
Walkers Shower Chairs
Canes Other miscellaneous items
Prayer Shawl Ministry
A prayer shawl is a tangible sign of God’s love in the life of a person experiencing illness, pain, grief or loneliness. Members of First Lutheran Church meet once per month, the 1st Thursday of each month, to knit or crochet prayer shawls together. Others work on them independently at home. Each shawl is a blend of prayers, talents, gifts and grace. The shawls are then distributed to people of the congregation to remind them of the care and concern felt for them by people of the church, and to remind them of God’s presence in their life. To become involved in this ministry contact Lola Anderson at (320) 283-5741. Donations to this ministry would be used to purchase yarn for the prayer shawls.
Baby Sweater Ministry
Baby sweaters and caps are handcrafted by members of the church and distributed to families with newborn babies, usually at the time of baptism. If you have a talent to knit and would like to support this ministry, contact the parish nurses and we can give you a pattern. Or you may use a pattern of your own.
Caregiver Support Group
Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. at First Lutheran Church. Caregivers of loved ones with any medical diagnosis are welcome. Care receivers may spend time at “The Gathering” at Clearwater Suites during the meeting time if desired. The group is facilitated by Mary Krueger, Douglas County Senior Coordinator (320-763-6018) and Val Trumm, Parish Nurse (320-762-2196).
Parkinson’s Support Group
Meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. in the Family Room at First Lutheran Church. This is an informational support group for persons who have Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers. Meetings include guest speakers and helpful suggestions for lifestyle adjustments. The group is facilitated by Ann Hanson, Group Coordinator (320-763-9520) and Arlyn Davis, Parish Nurse (320-762-2196).
Grief Support Group
Meets 2 times during the year in the spring and fall. Concurrent sessions meet at First Lutheran Church during the day on Tuesdays, and at Anderson’s Funeral Home on Monday evenings. For further information or to inquire about the schedule, please call Carole Magnuson, Facilitator, at Anderson’s Funeral Home, (320) 763-5900.
Alexandria Area Support Group for Grieving Parents of All Ages
Meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Alexandria Clinic Medical Conference Room. Parents of all ages who are grieving the death of a child of any age are invited and encouraged to attend. The goal of this group is to provide education and support. The group is facilitated by Kathy Fischer, Parish Nurse at St. Mary’s Church (763-5781) along with other members of the local grief advisory committee.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Loss
There currently is not a support group for Alzheimer’s Disease. However, we have an excellent resource available to us here in Douglas County! Her name is Darlene Akerman and she is a care consultant for the Alzheimer’s Association. Her office is located at Broadway Medical Center and she is available to meet with families to discuss concerns and to give input regarding solutions. You may call the Broadway Clinic to set up an appointment, or brochures are located near the parish health bulletin board.
Cardiac Support Group for Women
This group is currently on hold due to decreasing attendance. However, we are considering changing this group to a Women’s Health Issues support group to broaden the focus a bit. If you are interested in attending, please put your name on the list on the parish health bulletin board and the group will restart when there is more interest.
For more information on other community support groups, contact the Douglas County Hospital Education Department at 320-762-6094.
For most persons, spirituality or faith contributes to good health. Research continues to indicate that religious persons enjoy better overall health, live longer and recover from illness with fewer complications. They also seem better able to cope with illness and suffering.
The healing that occurs in the life of a spiritual person is not to be confused with curing. Healing can be described as peaceful acceptance of one’s limitations and sufferings. Healing allows one to live fully to one’s capacity, even with a terminal illness.
Parish nurses often have the unique privilege of journeying with persons in times of illness, and may be present at the time of death. A parish nurse visits members when they are ill, supports them, prays with them and educates them in ways to achieve better overall health. The parish nurse provides holistic care … focusing on the body, mind and spirit. The parish nurse often fills a void or bridges a gap in our healthcare system. The parish nurse helps people obtain the emotional support and practical assistance necessary to maintain well-being, prevent serious illness and survive the rigors of chronic or terminal illness.
Parish nurses do not provide hands-on physical care or invasive procedures. Instead, the parish nurse acts as teacher, counselor and coordinator. The parish nurse generally has a good understanding of available community resources so that people may be linked up with those services that they may need. The parish nurse visits people in their homes, in the hospital, or at the church. The parish nurse provides educational forums and facilitates support groups. The parish nurse provides health screenings and assessments, and may coordinate volunteers.
The ministry of parish health nurses is very active in Central Minnesota. There are approximately 200 parish nurses in the 16 county area of Central Minnesota. To become a parish nurse, registered nurses attend a preparation course. These courses are offered locally through Concordia College in Moorhead and St. Benedict’s in St. Cloud. There are several parish nurses practicing in the Alexandria area. |
The parish nurse is a counselor, friend and advocate
