Parish Nurses work in conjunction with other health care professionals and the church's pastoral staff in addressing holistic health. This is done by making health screening, education, community resources, counseling and nursing skills accessible to the congregation and community.

Mission
Parish Nurses are dedicated to working with the church's pastor to provide a church based ministry - a ministry to the whole person - body, mind and spirit.

Who
A Parish Nurse is a licensed nurse who has a commitment to and relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord. The nurse and other health care professionals within the congregation share a desire through their vocations to lead others toward health and wellness.

As A Minister, The Nurse:
1. Is a member of the pastoral team who provides for emotional, spiritual, and health related guidance to individuals and families facing crisis or problems.
2. Listens and offers comfort and encouragement, with special insight and understanding afforded by their calling to be nurses.
3. Visits with individuals in the parish nursing office and in their homes.

As A Counselor And Resource Person, The Nurse:
1. Provides advice and emotional encouragement.
2. Assists individuals/families in accessing resources in the church and community.

As An Educator, The Nurse:
1. Provides health-related information.
2. Teaches and trains both one-on-one and through classes.

As An Organizer, The Nurse:
1. Assists the pastor and congregational members in identifying the church's and the community's health needs.
2. Plans and implements health screening clinics and provides health education with the help of other volunteers and community resources.

History
Parish Nursing was developed through the work of Granger Westberg, D.D. The first program began in 1984 through the pastoral care department of Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, Ill.

Parish nursing began at First Lutheran Church, Miles City, Montana in 1997. The initial start-up costs were borne by the First Lutheran Church Foundation. Its goal was to bring the benefits of parish nursing to members and active participants of First Lutheran Church and to minister to the Miles City community.

Changes In Health Care
America is experiencing a health care crisis. This crisis offers us the opportunity to recognize that people have shifted responsibility from themselves to the medical care system for their health care. Research has shown that more than 50% of health status is a result of lifestyle choices. Some 33% of the poor have no health coverage. The crisis has lead us to ask, is there a better way? Parish nursing is one step toward reclaiming responsibility for our health and wellness.

Spiritual and physical healing cannot be separated. The Church has always been a sign of hope and healing to persons. The emergence of the Parish Nurse is one response to the challenge of human needs.

"... and he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal."
Luke 9:2

Pastoral Perspectives
The parish is by its very nature, a healing community. The Gospel demands that followers of Jesus be involved in preaching the good news and with healing.

Generally, the Church's focus on healing has emphasized spiritual healing. However, recently Christians have come to see their responsibility to heal in a broader, wholistic context. Today, wholeness calls for a collaboration of medical expertise and spiritual insight. This union is particularly true since much of the physical healing in a person's life will no longer take place in the medical facility, but in the home and community. Parish nursing can be the joining point of two complementary vocations for the benefit of those in need.

Please support and encourage this important mission and ministry of First Lutheran Church.

- Pastor Steve Rice