Trinity Lutheran Church - Parish Nurse Program

Caring Ministries

Overview
Stephen Ministry
LCFS Counseling
Pastoral Counseling
Shut-in Visitation
Helping Hands
Parish Nurse
Personal/Family
Assistance

Adult Ministries

For Adults
Bible Study
L.I.F.E. Groups
Special Interest
Ladies Ministry
Men's Ministry
Senior Class

Family Life

For Families
Marriage
Parenting
Milestones
Senior Class
Family Devotions
Resources

Young Adults

Youth

For Youth
Event Photo Gallery

Children

For Children
VBS
Camp Cilca
Scouts

Music

Our parish nurses are available as a resource to help you find the health services and information you need.

Program Philosophy

Parish nursing embraces the spiritual dimension of the nursing practice in addition to the physical, psychological and social dimensions. In essence, parish nurses care for the body, mind and spirit.
Learn more about the program >
Please call the Parish Nurse Hotline, (309)828-6265, #191.
Be sure to check the Parish Nurse Bulletin Board (lower level narthex) and your monthly Messenger for health news you can use.

Parish Nurse Newsletter - May 2013

Laughter is the Best Medicine

The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter Humor is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

Laughter is strong medicine for mind and body
“Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” ~ Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D.

Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.

With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.

Laughter is good for your health:

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Reprinted with permission from Helpguide.org. Visit them online at www.helpguide.org

Bev Branning, Parish Nurse
beverly.branning@gmail.com

Our Parish Nurses:

Bev Branning, Cheryl Corbitt, and Sue Rutherford

Parish nurses collaborate with their faith community leaders to form partnerships with other community health resources. Parish nursing services are designed to involve individuals, families and congregations as active partners in their personal health. Through this involvement, nurses help empower communities and foster an environment of understanding and support.

The roles of the parish nurse

Integrator of Faith and Health, serving as a “translator” between faith and healthcare communities. With a knowledge base in both areas, many times the parish nurse can clarify issues and or reinforce the strong tie between faith and health.
Health Educator, providing educational programs to the congregations such as health screening and illness prevention.
Health Counselor, providing individual health counseling services in the home or long-term care facility.
“Navigator” or “Advocate”, assisting congregation members in finding their way through healthcare systems.
Referral Agent, finding resources and making referrals to agencies, organizations and support services to improve the member’s quality of life.
Developer of Support Groups, initiating and organizing groups designed to assist the participants with a specific issue.
Trainer of volunteers, perhaps most importantly, recruiting and training volunteers to provide assistance.
Blood pressure screenings are offered 9-9:30 am the second Sunday of every month on the lower level in the elevator alcove. Our parish nurses are happy to see you and answer your health questions.