God Care + Earth Care + Community Care + Neighbor Care + Self Care
The purpose of Health Ministries at St. Andrew is to assist both congregational members and people in the community to care for themselves and one another so they attain, maintain, and/or regain their highest possible level of health and wellness. The health ministry team intentionally integrates the practice of faith with the practices of health professionals for the purpose of achieving wholeness.
St. Andrew’s health ministry team is led by the parish nurses in collaboration with other trained health ministers. The team may include pastors or staff, health professionals, and lay members.
Parish nurses are registered nurses who have taken the basic parish nurse course and who lead and/or collaborate with the health ministry team at St. Andrew. Health ministers are people (other than RNs) who have completed the coursework for parish nurses.
Consultations with a parish nurse or health minister may be requested at any time and personal health care information is kept confidential. Health ministers may consult with the pastors as necessary.
Parish nurses and health ministers may function as:
•Health educators who conduct individual or group educational sessions;
•Integrators of faith and health, who offer spiritual care and assessment;
•Personal health counselors, listening to individual needs and making hospital, home, and nursing home visits in consultation with the pastors;
•Referral agents, providing information about community resources;
•Facilitators of volunteers, recruiting and coordinating volunteers to serve in various health ministry initiatives;
•Developers of support groups on health-related topics for congregation members and people in the community;
•Health advocates, supporting and providing what is in the best interest of the individual or the community.
To contact a parish nurse or health minister, please call the church office at 503-646-0629 or e-mail office@standrewlutheran.com. All services provided by the caring and health ministry team are available at no cost. The program is self-supporting due to the generosity of St. Andrew members who offer their time, talent, and treasures. The Marge Mack Memorial Fund defrays the costs of the program, including training. Donations to this designated fund are always welcome.