The Parish Nurse

The Parish Nurse collaborates with the congregation in maintaining and improving the well-being of the church community in a holistic manner.

Efforts are directed toward healing as Jesus did, in body, mind, and spirit, "...in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the utter most parts of the earth" (Acts 1:8). As such, the Parish Nurse serves as:

  • Health Counselor
  • Educator of Holistic Health
  • Advocate / Resource Person
  • Liason to Community Services
  • Teacher of Volunteer / Support Groups
  • Healing - Body, Mind, and Spirit

The Parish Nurse works to address whole person care for BODY, MIND and SPIRIT through services such as:

  • Support Groups
  • Health Counseling
  • Health Education
  • Advocacy
  • Health Promotion Programs
  • Health Assessment
  • Screenings
  • Monitoring
  • Referrals
  • Community Wellness Programs
  • Bereavement Support
  • Lay Pastoral Care
  • Spiritual Presence
  • Healing Services
  • Prayer

History of Parish Nursing

In the 60's and 70's Dr. Granger Westberg, a Lutheran chaplain and medical school professor, established holistic health clinics in churches. Staffing was provided by a physician, a nurse, and a pastoral counselor.

In the early 1980's, the concept of a "ministry of health" emerged, and began to focus on the role that the nurse can play in congregational health.

At present, the growing movement nationwide is toward a Health Ministry Program. With this concept, the congregation has the freedom to create a team approach to meet the needs of their membership. Often the team is a council-cabinet, comprised of both health professionals and lay people who determine how the assesed needs are met.

To learn more about parish nursing in the St. Joseph Parish, please contact us.

Contact us