Seeking to Integrate health and faith through encouragement of individuals to live healthier lives in mind, body, and spirit.

WHOLENESS

Wholeness is a combination of spiritual, physical, and mental wellness. The Health Ministry connects all these needs in harmony between a person and God, the source of healing and well-being.

HISTORY OF HEALTH MINISTRIES

Today, Health Ministry Programs are in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other nations. They adapt to the needs of each church to promote the mission of healthier living in mind, body and spirit.

Historically, Parish Nursing is rooted in the early work of deaconesses and other religious sisters who worked in parishes promoting health from a whole person perspective. The contemporary side of Parish Nursing was conceptualized by Reverend Granger Westberg as a result of his work with Wholistic Health Center in the 1970’s.

In 1984 Reverend Westberg approached Lutheran General Health System, Park Ridge, IL, with the idea of partnering with local congregations in a parish nurse project. This resulted in six nurses being hired to work with six congregations. Represented in the six Churches were two Roman Catholic Churches and four in the Lutheran and Methodist Churches.

In late 1986, the National Parish Nurse Resource Center was developed though the Mission Church Religious Office of Lutheran General Health System. The first Annual Westberg Symposium was held on September 25, 1987.

In January of 1996, Lutheran General Healthy System, Park Ridge, IL, merged with Evangelical Health System, Oak Brook, IL, to form Advocate Health Care. The International Parish Nurse Resource Center can be found on the internet as part of the Advance Health Care homepage.

HEALTH MINISTRY AT ASBURY (1999 – PRESENT)

• SCREENINGS AND EDUCATION including for blood pressure, cholesterol, depression, diabetes, vision, bone density, and skin cancer.
• VISITATION & EVALUATION by request of pastor or member
• VACCINE CLINICS offered in the fall (Flu and COVID)
• BLOOD DRIVES every spring and fall
• MEDICAL SUB-COMMITTEE that maintains emergency equipment, oxygen, wheel chairs, first aid kits in class rooms,
• AED EQUIPMENT purchased and installed in Asbury’s building
• ANNUAL TEDDY BEAR CLINIC for students of Asbury’s Preschool (with nursing students)
• COUNSELING & REFERRALS as requested
• MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS participants for Allentown Bureau of Health
• COMMITTEE MEMBERS attend retreats and classes to enhance the mission of the Health Ministry
• COORDINATOR of the Health Ministry is a member of the Lehigh Valley Parish Nurse Coalition Board, whose goal is to promote ministry in all churches in the area.
• ALWAYS OPEN to expand our goals and enhance our mission
• MEETINGS are scheduled every other month to plan for programs

ROLES WITHIN ASBURY’S HEALTH MINISTRY

Personal Health Counselor

An accessible resource for pastor and con­gregation to offer health information and options, acknowledging the integration of faith and health.

• Provide information about specific health emergencies and hospitals
• Discuss health concerns with individuals
• Support those in crisis
• Visit members in the hospital and after discharge, or during lengthy home illness

Referral Service

Facilitate the use of health and social ser­vice agencies in the hospital and communi­ty, and link persons to these agencies as the need arises.

Health Educator

Empower individual members to assume responsibility for their own health Assess parish health needs and implement appro­priate educational health programs

Facilitator

Coordinate and train volunteers for service. Work in conjunction with the pastors to link volunteers and needs appropriately.

• Utilize existing resources within the con­gregation and establish new programs to meet specific health-related needs
• Organize meals, transportation, child care, trips to doctor or hospital
• Develop support groups

Any Asbury Family Member is welcome to join the team!

You’re invited! The Health Ministry Team appreciates anyone in the medical field, but welcome any interested person to join their mission. Meetings are held on alternating months from September through May to plan screenings, educational programs, ongoing assignments, referrals, and guidance. The team works closely with Asbury’s pastors to promote holistic spiritual lives.

Get Connected

Use the form below to contact members of the Health Ministry Team.