UCC Faith Community Nurses eNewsletter – September 2017

September 2017, Volume 2, Issue 8

Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness

The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter

Mind, Body, Spirit:

What does the Lord require of you but to do Justice” – Micah 6:8a

These are divisive times. We have the resources available to us to replace despair with hope and alarm with action, to support the health of spirit, mind, and body of those to whom we minister.

Just Peace Sunday – September 17, 2017

The 30^th General Synod called on the congregations of the United Church of Christ to mark the Sunday preceding Sept 21^st (which the United Nation recognizes as the “International Day of Prayer for Peace”) as JUST PEACE SUNDAY. “Just Peace is not a destination, but a path requiring awareness and constant vigilance to resolve existing and developing conflict in ourselves, our families, our communities, our institutions, and our world.” Worship resources, craft activities for youth and children, and study resources including the Just Peace Handbook are available.

International Day of Prayer for Peace – September 21, 2017

The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on September 21^st. Established in 1981 by a UN resolution, Peace Day establishes a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences. TOGETHER FOR PEACE: RESPECT, SAFETY AND DIGNITY FOR ALL is the theme for this year. Resources and ways to participate are available on the website.

A Call to Action to Eradicate Racism and White Supremacy

God is calling us to actively engage in the work of racial justice by eradicating racism and white supremacy, being aware of efforts to eradicate human and civil rights, and strategizing to inform our congregations, community organizations, and concerned citizens when racism impacts all lives. STOP WHITE SUPREMACY on our UCC.org website provides a wide range of information and educational materials including YouTube presentations, podcasts, books and an adult curriculum all designed to help us engage in bold conversations about race.

Teach Tolerance

The TEACHING TOLERANCE website identifies tolerance as a way of thinking and feeling – but most importantly, of acting – that gives us peace in our individuality, respect for those unlike us, the wisdom to discern humane values and the courage to act upon them. Resources for educational activities and professional development address the topical areas of: ability, bullying and bias, class, gender & sexual identity, immigration, race & ethnicity, religion, and rights & activism. In which area or areas is your congregation seeking peace?

SELF-CARE

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”John14:27

In PEACE, a UCC Daily Devotional, Tony Robinson reminds us that we often seek three kinds of peace: the peace that comes from having the possessions we desire; the peace of feeling safe, and the peace of escape, of “getting away from it all. However, these forms of peace do not offer the peace of God because these types of peace take us out of the world. “The peace of God sends us into the world, there to live as ministers of reconciliation and joy.” May God’s peace be with each of us as we strive to share peace with those to whom we are called to minister. Amen.

RESOURCES FOR OUR PRACTICE

Evidence Based-Practice

In each part of the country we face the possibility of some type of disaster. September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) with an overarching theme Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. YOU CAN! A toolkit is provided that may be implemented at anytime. The goal of NPM is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, business, school, and place of worship. Thank you to Debbie Ringen, MSN, RN-BC FCN for sharing this information.

Handouts

Immunization is a common topic at this time of year with the requirement for children to be immunized before the start of school and also the scheduling of flu clinics. Adults often ask, “What shots do I need and when do I need to get booster?” The CDC has released a two-part chart that provides that information on Vaccinations for Adults with an easy to read schedule.

Publications

As FCNs we are leaders within our congregation. The Great Permission – An Asset-Based Field Guide for Congregations helps leaders change the conversations from “What do we need?” to “What do we have to offer?” What assets has God graced us with? An asset based way of thinking and behaving helps God’s people move past problems and toward opportunities. “Needs don’t disappear in asset based planning. They’re just not the place to start.” Reading and thinking about an asset-based approach may change your approach to doing ministry.

RESOURCES FOR OUR ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Best Practice

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have a negative impact on quality of life for both women and men and are a public health problem. Improving care and outcomes for patients with bladder conditions provides information about the condition and treatment options that don’t involve medications or surgery. Of special note – the authors (3 of whom work in areas of health ministry) highlight the effectiveness of health ministers and FCNs in providing health promotions interventions. The 11-question post-test that provides 1.08 contact hours, includes a questions about health ministers and faith community nursing. Available on-line the article also appeared in American Nurse Today, Vol. 12, No. 7 pgs. 10-15.

Church Safety Resources

Safety First is an online service of the Insurance Board that provides information that helps to fulfill our responsibility to provide a safe place for worship and ministry to all ages and to protect the property of the congregation. Topics such as reducing the risk of injury and providing safe transportation, as well as those more specific to our children and youth such as making safer your day care, Sunday School, trips, playgrounds, and camp activities are available.

Publications

On September 25^th [5:30pm PT/8:30 pm ET) the Meaningful Voices Book Club will discuss The Handmaiden’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Margaret Atwood says in the Introduction, “…The biblical precedent is the story of Jacob and his two wives, Rachel and Leah, and their two handmaids. One man, four women, twelve sons—but the handmaids could not claim the sons. They belonged to the respective wives.” Register for the live book club discussion.

Continuing Education

The Opioid Crises – How can we respond?

The CDC and SAMSA have developed two webinar presentations that are available for viewing: Part 1 – Understanding the Opioid Crisis: What’s at the Heart of the Matter? And Part 2 – There is Hope: Treatment, Recovery, & Prevention
Hope and Healing: A practical toolkit for faith and community leaders in the face of the opioid epidemic from the Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships of the US Dept. of Health & Human Services outlines ways in which you and your congregation can jump-start or advance your efforts to usher in a culture of compassion and support toward those struggling with addiction and its often severe consequences. Thank you to Aly Breisch, MSN, RN-BC FCN for sharing this information.

Keeping up with the Health Care Discussions

If you are having difficulty following all of the twists and turns of the national health insurance information you are not alone. Your congregants also have these difficulties and some are turning to you for answers. The website of the Kaiser Family Foundation (a non-profit organization founded in 1948) provides in-depth information on health policy issues including Medicaid, Medicare, health reform, and global health. State health facts are also available so you can obtain information specific to your area. You can go to their website or you can select information to be sent to you.

Conferences

Health Ministries Association National Conference – Sept. 11th -13th, Erlanger, KY (near Cincinnati, OH) The Sacred Practice of Caring: Working Together for Healthier Communities . Hope to see you there!

WISE Mental Health Conference – Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 at Venice United Church of Christ, Venice, FL. Brochure and on-line registration available.

DATES ON THE UCC CALENDAR

Some dates provide the opportunity to integrate health ministry activities with programming of other ministries. Many resources available on UCC website

Oct. 14^th Access Sunday and Disabilities Awareness Week

Oct. 16^th World Food Day

Oct. 21^st Children’s Sabbath

Nov. 13-17^th Anti-Bullying Week

Nov. 25^th International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Dec.1^st World AIDS Day

FUTURE ISSUES
Have something you want to share with your colleagues?
Are you looking for something to assist you in your ministry?
That which we share with others multiplies immeasurably.

Contact Peggy Matteson

NEED ASSISTANCE SEARCHING PAST NEWSLETTERS?

Looking for something you remember reading last year but you don’t remember in which issue of 2016 it occurred?
A topical Index now is posted on the UCC website with the list of those newsletters so that you may more easily find the information!