The Health Ministry
Under the Pastoral Care Ministry, the Health
Ministry is designed to promote health, wellness, healing, and education
throughout the congregation as well as an outreach to the San Diego
community and beyond.
We are called to be a caring family of
Christians. Our Church is our extended family where we can truly care
about each other and support one another in a way of life that enhances
and encourages health and wholeness.
Benefits:
Helping members recognize the
interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit and emphasizing the role of
spirituality in ones health
Improving access to health education and services
Empowering individuals to take responsibility for the health of self
and others
Providing compassionate outreach to those in need
Promoting healthy lifestyle choices resulting in improved health
outcomes
Offering more opportunities for service
Facilitating coordination with the other caring ministries.
Components:
The Health Ministry Task
Force
The Parish Nurse
The Minister of Pastoral Care
The Health Ministry Team
The Health Ministry
Task Force
The Health Ministry Task Force is a
volunteer team comprised of members of the congregation whose purpose is
to assess and address the health needs of the congregation and promote
an outreach to the community and beyond. This is accomplished by:
Collaborating with the Parish Nurse to
provide leadership, guidance and structure for the health ministry
Bringing together the variety of skills and experience of members,
thereby expanding the scope of the ministry
Providing authority and recognition for the program.
Health Ministry Task Force
responsibilities include:
Establishing the mission and goals of the
health ministry program focusing on wholeness, health and personal
responsibility for ones own health
Assessing current program availability and the remaining health needs
of the congregation
Supporting existing programs and planning programs, education and
screenings to meet identified needs
Establishing networks to enhance and supplement the services of other
ministries
Implementing programs
Evaluating effectiveness of new programs
Return to top of page
The Parish Nurse
The Parish Nurse is a registered nurse who
is committed to the health mission of the church in a unique blending of
professional nursing and spiritual caregiving. The Parish Nurse is an
integral part of the broader concept of health ministry. He or she works
with the Health Ministry Task Force and clergy to assist and enable the
congregation and beyond to attain, maintain or regain optimal health and
wholeness.
Parish Nurse responsibilities include:
Health Counselor
Providing a professional listening ear and
recommending medical intervention, if indicated
Making home, hospital, nursing home and
telephone visits as a part of the Health Ministry Team
Health Educator
Coordinating a variety of formats, seminars,
workshops, classes, health fairs and health screenings
Orienting other health professionals
Assisting with a health library and pamphlet
file
Expanding the understanding of the roles of
the Parish Nurse and the overall Health Ministry Program, along with
other members of the Health Ministry Team
Health Facilitator
Implementing the emergency response plans
for the church
Working with the Health Ministry Team and
support groups
Acting as a liaison to community resources
and services
Return to top of page
The Minister of
Pastoral Care
The Minister of Pastoral Care is an ordained
minister on the staff of First United Methodist Church of San Diego. One
of his or her responsibilities is the Health Ministry. This clergyperson
is the spiritual leader of the Health Ministry and an active participant
on the Task Force.
Serving as a liaison between the Task
Force and the clergy and administrative staff
Bringing needs and challenges of members
of the congregation to the Task Force
Return to top of page
The Health Ministry
Team
The Health Ministry Team is composed of
volunteers who work with direction from the Task Force and the Parish
Nurse to address identified healthcare issues and needs, such as
visiting the homebound, assisting with health fairs, serving on the
emergency team.
Return to top of page |
