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Parish Nurse Practice
Elaine Tyrrell and her team of volunteers are part of a growing trend for parishes to either employ or have voluntary parish nurses. The goal of parish nursing is to "promote, protect and restore the health of those persons served by the church and enable and empower others for healthy living." The job of a parish nurse covers a wide range of help for parishioners and those living in the area. These include health education, support, (e.g. accompanying parishioners to hospital, visiting and keeping in contact with newly bereaved etc.), being a link person with referral knowledge, advocacy, practical skills (such as taking blood pressure and first aid) and exploring the relationship of faith and health.
Parish nursing is relatively new to New Zealand but it is widely recognised in America and Canada and has been well developed in Australia. The work of the parish nurse is to complement the work of the health professionals and agencies already in a community and works with the clergy and lay people who care for those in church and community. They help people make informed decisions about their health, integrating mind, body and spirit.
The Australian Faith Community Nurses Association asks 'is God calling individuals to use their nursing knowledge and skills to minister to others through this form of nursing practice? And is it a form of ministry and mission for parishes to become involved in?'Further information can be obtained from Verity Doak (e-mail: verityd@pcanz.org.nz) or Elaine Tyrrell (e-mail: etyrrell@xtra.co.nz)
Seasons of the Spirit Introductory Workshops
You are encouraged to go along to a workshop in your area which will look at this exciting new curriculum material. The workshops will help people use the material in the best way to, through worship and Christian education, build healthy congregations.
The workshops introducing the material will be held throughout New Zealand and will be led by ecumenical trainers with long experience in Christian education.
Why not get a group of people together who are involved in Christian education and worship in your parish and go along to a workshop? The workshops will all be in the week of 9-14 June as follows:
Auckland: St. Aidan's, Remuera Sunday, 9 June - 1.30-4.30 p.m.
Hamilton: St. Peter's Cathedral Tuesday, 11 June - 7-9.30 p.m.
Tauranga: St. Enoch's Presbyterian Tuesday, 11 June - 7-9.30 p.m.
Wellington: St. John's in the City Tuesday, 11 June - 7-9.30 p.m.
Napier: St. John's Cathedral Wednesday, 12 June - 7-9.30 p.m.
Nelson: All Saints Anglican Wednesday, 12 June - 7-9.30 p.m.
New Plymouth: St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral Thursday, 13 June - 7-9.30 p.m.
Palmerston North: St. David's Presbyterian Thursday, 13 June - 7-9.30 p.m.
Christchurch: St. Mark's Presbyterian, Avonhead Thursday, 13 June - 7-9.30 p.m.
Dunedin: East Taieri Presbyterian, Mosgiel Friday, 14 June - 7-9.30 p.m.