First Presbyterian Church Footprints

First Presbyterian Church

The Parish Nurse Program

Parish Nursing is rooted in the Judeo-Christian

tradition, consistent with the basic assumptions

of all faiths that we care for self and others as an

expression of God’s love. The concept was born out

of the understanding of the healing ministry of the

church and the need for the church to return to its

once active health role.

Molly N. Moon, RN

Parish Nurse

A Parish Nurse is a registered nurse with additional health training who serves members of the congregation. Parish Nurses do not administer medications, do not give shots and do not do any medical procedures. But these limitations highlight their essential role: providers of health care that focuses on the whole person and emphasizes wellness, disease prevention and health promotion.

The mission of Parish Nursing is the intentional attention to spirit and to the integration of the practice of faith with the practice of nursing so that people can achieve wholeness in, with, and through the community of faith in which Parish Nurses serve.

The purpose of Parish Nursing is to challenge the nursing profession to reclaim the spiritual dimension of nursing care, to challenge the health care system to provide whole person care and to challenge the faith community to restore its healing mission.

Our partnership with Centra Health affords our Parish Nurse and our congregation many benefits from access to Centra’s resources and to the ideas and programs of other local congregational health ministries.

A Primer on Parish Nursing is available at the Presbyterian Church (USA) website.

The Parish Nurse functions under the auspices of the Health Ministry Team. Our Parish Nurse is Molly Moon, RN. Her roles as Parish Nurse include:

Personal Health Counselor
Health Educator
Health Advocate
Referral Agent and Liaison with Congregational and Community Resources
Teacher and Facilitator of Volunteers
Interpreter of the Relationship between Faith and Health
Developer of Support Groups

The hospital discharge nurses at Centra will work with our Parish Nurse when a member is discharged with a complex diagnosis or has ongoing medical needs at home. This is particularly important if a church member does not have family in the area who can coordinate and advocate for them. PLEASE NOTE: THIS CAN ONLY HAPPEN IF THE MEMBER HAS SPECIFIED THAT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN BE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY ENTER THE HOSPITAL.

Molly has regular office hours each Monday from 9 am to 1 pm and is available for consultations at other times by contacting her at 665-8123 or Molly@Firstpreslynchburg.org. She makes home, hospital and nursing home visits as needed and requested.

So, when might you call on the Parish Nurse?

When you are discharged from the hospital and have questions about how to cope at home with your illness
When you are having difficulty dealing with a new or complex diagnosis
When your blood pressure readings have been high and you want to have them checked and recorded before your next doctor visit
When you decide to make lifestyle changes such as weight control and exercise and you need some resources and encouragement
When a family member has a chronic disease such as Alzheimer’s and you are looking for information and community resources to help you
When you have concerns about a family member and are not sure if they need a health referral
When you have an idea for an educational program that you think the church would benefit from

What is the Parish Nurse not? The Parish Nurse is not a substitute for your regular health provider, but rather a supplement to him/her. The Parish Nurse does not perform any medical procedures. It is a sort of return to the roots of nursing where the emphasis is on touch and caring, rather than technology.

The Health Ministry Team

And Parish Nurse Program

at First Presbyterian Church

The Health Ministry Team promotes the integration of all aspects of health: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual – as it creates opportunities for church members in all phases of life to enhance their total health, well-being and sense of community within the church.

Interest in a health ministry began when the Care and Nurture Committee sought to find ways to help church members confront medical problems of their own and of their parents. In early 2003, Parish Nurses from area churches met with the Care and Nurture Committee. An exploratory subcommittee on Parish Nursing was formed. The committee researched Parish Nursing and Health Ministries.

Several studies document that faith and participation in a faith community benefit health. Dr. Harold Koenig of Duke University is a leader in this field and is the head of the Duke Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health. Dr. Koenig spoke at First Presbyterian Church. In 2005, the exploratory committee evolved into the Health Ministry Team and joined with the Centra Health as a Congregational Health Partner. In January 2007, a Parish Nurse was hired part time.

The Health Ministry Team informs, educates and involves church members in a variety of ways. Through our partnership with Centra Health, we have access to health resources throughout the community.

The Health Ministry Team coordinates its efforts with its parent committee, Care and Nurture, and the various other Care and Nurture sub-committees.

The Health Ministry Team is chaired by the Parish Nurse.

Regular Health Ministry Team activities include:

Blood Pressure screenings the second Sunday of each month between 9:45 and 12:30 in the Parish Nurse office, Room 102. (Summer hours are 9:30 to 11:30).
Planning and coordination of health related education programs
- 2007-08 Life Issues Seminars
Dissemination of information on health related topics through articles written in First Press
Oversight of the Parish Nurse program
Sponsor the AARP Safe Driver Course

FIRST STEPS

The Health Ministry Team is organizing "First Steps" for First Pres Members to encourage walking and increasing activity to enhance health and fitness. Our goal is "walking" the distance from First Pres to the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. passing through historical sites throughout Virginia. Walking can be within groups twice weekly and/or individual calculations of mileage. Mileage may include other activities such as swimming, household chores, gardening, etc. A conversion chart from activities to miles is available. An organizational meeting will be planned in October to personally accept the challenge and make a commitment to the program. Recognition will be made for individuals when short term goals are accomplished. Further information will be forthcoming so stay tuned! Contact persons are Judie Cleland at 384-1339 or Dorothy Niles at 384-1680. So join us and lets just do it!

MEET

MOLLY MOON

Molly. N. Moon, R.N. received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration from George Washington University. She has held a variety of positions in both hospital and medical practice settings. Her experience also includes twenty one years of active and reserve time in the Navy as a Nurse Corps Officer and Medical Service Corps Officer. In 2007, she completed the Parish Nurse Basic Certification Course at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC.

Molly has regular office hours on Mondays between 9 am and 1 pm and is available other times by appointment. She can be reached at 665-8123 or by email at Molly@fpcly.org. Her practice includes seeing members at home, in the hospital and in nursing home settings.

Health Related Internet Links:

Presbyterian Church (USA) web site for Health ministries and Parish Nursing:

http://www.pcusa.org/nationalhealth/

Centra Health Congregational Health and Faith Community Nurses Web page

http://clergy.centrahealth.com/WebPages/conghlth.aspx

Center for Spirituality and Health at Duke University

http://www.Dukeprirtualityandhealth.org

How to determine your fitness level

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/SM00086

DASH Diet for Hypertension

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf

AARP Safe Driver course