The Parish Nurse program began in June, 2002 through a grant obtained from Breckenridge Senior Independence"    In that time our Health & Wellness Ministry has grown to include our Care Team Ministry, Parkinson Disease Support Group, monthly Blood Pressure screenings, educational workshops, and counseling opportunities and programs to keep us healthy in body, mind and spirit.   We are blessed to have many individuals who are in the healthcare profession involved in our ministry.

The Health and Wellness Ministry objective is to offer ways to keep us healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually.   The vision statement is "a caring ministry team that promotes a holistic approach to health and well-being, centered on God, balanced in faith, and connected to others through the love of Jesus Christ".   This year our focus is to "long for Christ and be strong for Christ".   Our hearts long to know Him through His Word and yearn to become strong for Him in body, mind and spirit so we can spread His Word to all we meet.

The Care Team Ministry consists of 3-4 team members who pray, call, send cards or visit members that are ill, hospitalized, and homebound or have special hurts or needs.   This ministry has expanded to form a group of lay ministers who bring Communion to our homebound members.   We invite you to become involved in our Care Team Ministry.   Care Team meets on the first Saturday of every month at 10:00AM.

We would like to invite Advent disciples to become a part of our Healing Touch Ministry.   The only "skill" needed is a love for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

We gather in prayer with people in need when requested, and some of us pray with those who come up to the altar as well.   You don't need to pray a certain way, only in a way that is comfortable for you.   Those of us in Healing Touch merely grab onto the promise that where two or three are gathered, Christ is there.

We have felt the power of prayer in our lives (as countless others in our congregation have!)and welcome any opportunity to be one of the "two or three gathered."   Healing happens through God's power alone and the ways in which healing is felt is varied.   How wonderful that God asks ordinary people to be vessels for His extraordinary love!!   Please join the rest of us ordinary people in Healing Touch, and experience God in a very extraordinary way!

For where 2 or 3 come together in my name, there am I with them.   (Matthew 18:20)

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Parkinson Support Group
They meet on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM
at Emeritus Senior Living (formerly Summerville Assisted Living in Mentor.

Upcoming Meetings:
February 29th
7:00PM at Emeritus of Mentor.

If you know of someone who is suffering from or caring for someone
with Parkinson's Disease, please let them know they are welcome to attend our meeting.

"Live your life, not your disease."

Caregiver's Support Group

Did you know that we have started a Caregivers Support Group?   If you are caring for a loved one and faced with the daily challenges that care-giving involves, then know that you are not alone.   There is a group of us who meet monthly on the 2nd Thursday at 10:30AM to share our stories and learn from each other’s experiences.   Our next meeting will be Thursday, February 9th.

If you are interested in participating or assisting us in how we can best meet your needs as a caregiver, please call the Parish Nurse.

Check out the website www.icaregiver.org for educational resources and more information through Senior Independence.

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Advent Prayer Ministry

To remind everyone, the Prayer Ministry is now a blending of the Friends of Daniel and Healing Touch Ministries along with the Prayer Chain Ministry.    All prayer opportunities offered will be sponsored by the Prayer Ministry, e.g. Prayer Labyrinth, Prayer Vigils, Healing Prayer and so on.   Healing Prayer will continue to be offered to anyone in need and on the first weekend of each month at all the services if possible.    Watch your bulletin for all the upcoming prayer opportunities.    "Pray unceasingly.” -1Thessalonians 5:17

We will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00PM.

Next scheduled meeting:
TBA

Prayer Ministry The Prayer Ministry will be sponsoring a Prayer Vigil from 4pm Friday, Feb. 17 through 4pm Saturday, Feb. 18.   Sign up today for an hour or 2 to sit in the candlelit sanctuary and feel the presence of our Lord.   There are books and devotions available for your use, prayers you can read, music if you prefer and a time to just "be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

The Prayer Labyrinth will be set up in Fellowship Hall on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 6pm-9pm.   There is no sign up just come and walk the path and pray.   A labyrinth is simply another tool to enhance one’s prayer life.   It is a means to become closer to God, to feel the power of the Holy Spirit, and to learn what is there for you.   It is a means for healing and growth.

Health and Wellness Ministry

Blood Pressure Screening Saturday, February 18th - 7:00PM Sunday, February 19th - 10:00AM Parish Nursing Office

If you are on blood pressure medication and want your BP checked, just let me know.   I can schedule a visit at your convenience or you can stop by my office on Tuesdays from 10am-2pm during regular office hours.

High blood pressure is called the silent killer for a reason — there are no symptoms.   Get your blood pressure checked regularly!   Normal BP range is 110/60-130/80.   Do you know what your BP is?

Care Team Ministry and Lay Communion Assisting Ministers' Schedule
Care Team Ministry meets quarterly
10:00 AM Rooms 5/6

Next meeting:
March 3rd
10:00AM

Meals for Members is part of the Care Team Ministry.   If you would like to provide a meal for someone who was recently ill or hospitalized, please contact Sue at suesworkout@att.net.

Anyone interested in visiting members, sending cards, making calls or being part of this ministry is most welcome to attend.

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Faith in Action of Lake County

Faith in Action of Lake County is a cooperative program spearheaded by Senior Independence and funded by the United Way of Lake County.   It is designed to meet the needs of the frail elderly and disabled of Lake County that have not been met by other means.   The type of help being given includes friendly visits, shopping/errands, light housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation to doctor appointments.    Volunteers decide on the hours, days and boundaries of assistance they can give and are then matched with the care receivers needs.   Assistance for the elderly is a growing need in Lake County and a small offer of assistance can make a big impact on their lives.   We are all called in the bible to love and care for one another.   So, if you feel the call to help improve the life of a neighbor in need, be a volunteer today!   Please call Pam Lewis, Faith in Action of Lake County Program Coordinator at 953-1256 or email plewis@seniorindependence.org with any questions or to start your volunteer journey.

WEB LINKS:

http://www.seniorindependence.org/
http://www.fianationalnetwork.org/our-stories-detail.cfm?id=62

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