Faith community nurses customize their practice to meet the needs of each congregation. Services might include arranging for the communion elements to be brought to people in the congregation who are unable to come up, helping people navigate the healthcare system, or offering weight loss or nutrition programs. A faith community nurse might send a special grief holiday letter to those who lost a loved one in the past year or coordinate a casserole ministry to members who are ill at home. They offer prayer and comfort; as well as affirming guidance and wellness advice.
“It is important for United Methodists to be aware of the opportunities they have to develop this type of ministry,” Magyar notes. “We often forget that part of being disciples is caring for our bodies as a temple of God.” She adds, “Faith community nurses like Julie Taylor are providing a meaningful service to their local congregation as well as to other churches in the regional conference.”
I suppose it goes without saying that I love this. Any attempt to broaden the way we think about "ministry", and about addressing the needs of a community is not just OK with me, but beautiful. I am working on a proposal for our church to set up a comprehensive center for women and families seeking to escape domestic violence, with the centerpiece being a safe house. I told the senior pastor, and she likes it; right now I'm still tweaking it and working with some church members on how to move forward with it. There are hundreds of questions and details to work through, but just reading this article gives me a boost. Any information on different ways churches are reaching out and helping, utilizing the talents of church members - this is all to the good.
