Living in the rural Illinois corn belt in a small town is a delight, but it has its challenges. In our United Methodist church of 900 members, approximately fifty percent of our members are fifty-five years of age or older. In assessing the needs of our members, we decided to begin an intentional ministry of visitation to the ill, homebound, and disabled. In an effort to begin expanding our visitation ministry, a registered nurse first researched the roles of parish nursing, took a parish nurse class, and started developing a volunteer position. After working as a volunteer for six months, a part-time position was created to include parish nursing, senior program coordination, and visitation to members of all ages.

The responsibilities of our parish nurse includes: serving as a health educator planning workshops on health topics, planning wellness presentations, and writing health and wellness articles for the b-monthly church newsletter. Once a month, she and other nurse volunteers do blood pressure screenings on Sundays between services. This time is used as an opportunity to educate and counsel members on other health concerns they may have. Office hours are kept throughout the week so that members may come in and meet privately to discuss health concerns. Another role is as a reference person and referral agent. Many families find navigating the health and community assistance programs available to be a challenge. The parish nurse has lists of health and community agencies, as well as a sitter and in-home help list available to share with members. The goal is to keep our parishioners independent and at home for as long as they choose. The parish nurse has the unique role of sharing faith as she visits. Praying with and sharing faith stories with the homebound, hospitalized, and long-term care patients has been a two-way learning and spiritual growth experience for all involved. Often there are short-term needs, such as taking someone to the hospital for tests or treatments, providing a ride to a doctor's appointment, picking up groceries or medicine for a homebound member. If the parish nurse is unavailable to assist, she coordinates a volunteer's assistance.

Another major role of the parish nurse has been to coordinate programs and volunteers to assist in visiting and caring for those members in need. A basket ministry was started about three years ago with about five church volunteers who prepare baskets quarterly for all our homebound and for members in long-term care facilities. The parish nurse is in weekly contact with the basket ministry to share particular needs and to refer those who could benefit in some way from a basket and visit from the volunteers.

In addition to the basket ministry, a shawl ministry has recently been started. Shawls are knitted or crocheted by a member of the congregation. On completion of each shawl, the shawl members bless the shawl with a special prayer. Each shawl is then delivered personally to the member it was made for by either a shawl ministry member or the parish nurse. Each shawl has the blessing card telling the recipient who made the shawl and when it was blessed with prayers of healing. The parish nurse and shawl ministry coordinator also meet weekly to assess those who would benefit from a prayer shawl.

The Parish nurse, Stephen ministry coordinator, and pastors work closely to assess the needs of our members.

We are blessed at Wesley UMC to have such a richness of caring programs. Not only are our seniors the recipient of these caring ministries, but also they are some of our best caring volunteers. We are not just a "Sunday" building, but a caring family meeting the needs of our members and community.

For more information contact:
Jan Rohn, Parish Nurse
2206 S 4th
Charleston, Illinois 61920
E-mail: janrohn@charlestonwesley.org

Return to Center Sage "Contents" page.


    Text Only Version