Advent Lutheran Church - Mentor, OH - Health & Wellness Ministry

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)

Parkinson Support Group
They meet on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM
at Summerville Assisted Living in Mentor.
Next Meeting: Wednesday March 31th
Celebrating 6 years.

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
Here at Advent there are many families experiencing the challenges of caring for a spouse or elderly parent and the difficult decisions that are required. Pray for strength and courage for the caregivers and for comfort and peace for the care recipients. The Health & Wellness Ministry Team is interested in developing a Caregivers Support Group to address these personal and challenging issues. 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.

Health & Wellness Ministry
Tuesday, March 16 at 6:15PM in Room 5

Please join us with your ideas and suggestions on how we can keep our Advent Family healthy in mind, body, and spirit.

Blood Pressure Screening
Saturday, March 20th 7:00PM
Sunday, March 21st 10:00AM
Parish Nursing Office

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 the first Saturday of each Month
10:00 AM Rooms 5/6

Next meeting: March 6th

If you are interested in participating or learning more about this ministry, please join us.

Healing Touch Ministry
TBA

March for Meals

Advent will again be participating in the Annual March for Meals sponsored by the Lake County Council on Aging. This year the event is scheduled for Saturday, March 13 at the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor. Registration is at 8:00AM and the walk begins at 8:30AM. Cost is $10.00/person for adults, $5.00/children 12 and under. If you are interested in joining the Advent team, please sign up in the narthex by March 7th. Proceeds benefit the Meals on Wheels Program of Lake County. Watch the bulletin for more details.

Points from the Parish Nurse....

Did you know that March is designated as American Red Cross Month? Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering. Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs. The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors — across the street, across the country, and across the world — in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new — the more than half a million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through over 700 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Our local chapter is located at 3747 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115. For more information call 216-431-3010 or visit their website www.redcross redcross-cleveland.org. Advent’s next blood drive is Saturday, March 6 from 9:30AM - 2:30PM in Fellowship Hall. Please consider donating the "gift of life".

During this season of Lent, my hope is that you have been able to spend time in the disciplines of Lent— repentance, fasting, prayer, and works of love. This is a time to focus on Christ’s passion and ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. Pastor Phil offered the Handbook for the Discipline of Lent which has many useful suggestions on ways to persevere in your spiritual journey and grow closer to our Redeemer. I encourage you to begin if you have not, and to continue enthusiastically if you’ve begun. My prayers are with you.

"Long for Christ & Be Strong for Christ"

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Remember, "When in Doubt, Point to the Cross!"