Asbury Health Ministry – Asbury United Methodist Church

Health Ministry Article – July 2024 (“Dementia Friendly Church”)

Asbury Communications Asbury Health Ministry July 14, 2024

In Pastor Eric’s message on “The Purpose and Power of the Church” (June 16, 2024), we were asked to accept one another and restore one another. Acceptance and restoration with those diagnosed with dementia within a faith community is a unique challenge.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2020) the estimated prevalence of Alzheimer’s Dementia among adults 65 years and older in Pennsylvania is 282,100 people or 11.5%. Many of us know one or more individuals in our own families or our circle of friends who are living with dementia. For further facts and figures related to the burden of Alzheimer’s Disease, see the infographic assembled by the Alzheimer’s Association.

It is often difficult to know how to best accept and restore these individuals within our faith community. Dementia Friendly America offers advice on how faith communities can provide an important spiritual respite for individuals and families living with dementia. This organization provides information on signs of dementia, dementia friendly communication skills, dementia friendly practices and caring for caregivers. To find out more about how we can become a dementia-friendly church, we recommend this information assembled by Dementia Friendly America.

Health Ministry

Asbury Communications Asbury Health Ministry February 14, 2024

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.

Worship
Hear the word
Obey and live the word
Love one another
Energize your body with healthy living
Notice the world around you
Embrace life
Smile and laugh often
Share your talents

Health Ministry Brochure - Wholeness Image (web)

To be spiritually minded is life and peace.

- Romans 8:6 (KJV)

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.

Name *

First

Last

Email *

How Can We Help You?

Blood Pressure Screenings (November 12)

Asbury Communications Asbury Health Ministry October 26, 2023

Asbury’s Health Ministry Team invites you to drop by the Parlor on Sunday, November 12 between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM for a free blood pressure screening.

Additionally, the Team will be providing educational information on Strokes and Stroke Symptoms.

The Health Ministry Team shares the following:

“John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, was also a physician. In his book entitled Primitive Physick (1785), he stated that his purpose in writing the book was to ‘set down cheap, safe, and easy medicines; easy to be known, easy to be procured, and easy to be applied by plain, unlettered men.’ He also felt that medicines at the time, were often “too dear for poor men to buy, and too hard for plain men to understand” and that he had not seen a book in any language that “contains only safe, and cheap, and easy medicines”. Therefore, he set out to provide his book for the common people. Some of his “easy Rules” still apply today, and some are relevant to maintaining health, including prevention of strokes. Here are some of his “easy Rules”:

1. The air we breathe is of great consequence to our health.
2. Everyone that would preserve health, should be as clean as possible in their houses, clothes, and furniture.
3. All pickled, or smoked, or salted-food, and high-seasoned food is unwholesome.
4. Water is the wholesomest of all drinks.
5. Coffee and tea are extremely hurtful to persons who have weak nerves.
6. A due degree of exercise is indispensably necessary to health and long life. Walking is the best exercise for those who are able to bear it. Those who read or write much, should learn to do it standing; otherwise it will impair their health. Exercise, first, should be always on an empty stomach; secondly, should never be continued to weariness.

“Our mission as a Health Ministries Team is to continue the tradition of John Wesley and provide ‘“cheap and easy’ information related to your health. We do hope you will join us on November 12 to learn more about current knowledge related to strokes!”

Collection for Ripple Community Center (September 23)

Asbury Communications Asbury Health Ministry, Collections, Service September 7, 2023

September 23, 9:30 AM – 12 PM, at Asbury’s lower level entrance

Asbury’s Health Ministries Team is holding a collection for the Ripple Community Center on Saturday, September 23. Ripple Community is guided by a vision of Allentown as a community where everyone has a role to play, a diverse network of social support, and a connection to the place they call home. Their programs serve over 150 Allentown residents, including people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, people who are socially isolated, people living with significant histories of trauma and mental illness, and the working poor. For our neighbors living with challenges like these, RCI is a source of friendship, support, and community.

At this time they are in need of donations of the following items:

– Baby wipes (highly needed)
– Flashlights
– AA, AAA, D batteries
– Tarps
– Tents
– Toilet paper
– Blankets
– Toothbrushes
– Toothpaste
– Razors
– Hair combs
– Hairbrushes
– Bookbags
– Reusable totes
– Portable chargers for cell phones
– Deodorant
– Lotion
– Lip balm
– Socks
– Feminine products (pads, liners, and tampons)
– Shaving cream
– Reusable water bottles
– Protein/ meal replacement shakes
– Single served flavored packets for water
– Cases of water/ Gatorade
– Umbrellas/ ponchos
– LANTA Bus passes

The Asbury Health Ministry Team greatly appreciates your generosity!

Flu Shot Clinic (October 1, 2023)

Asbury Communications Asbury Health Ministry August 13, 2023

Asbury’s Health Ministry is holding a Flu, COVID, and RSV Shot Clinic on Sunday, October 1, from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM in the Aldersgate Room.

Shots are administered by Michael Silvonek, RPH. For each shot, a $5 donation will be made to Asbury.

Information on available vaccines:
Flu shot: regular strength for all and high dose flu vaccine for seniors available.
COVID shot: The new (September 2023) Covid vaccine will be available and can be given at the same time of flu vaccine. Moderna Bivalent COVID vaccine available. The CDC recommends a second Bivalent dose (COVID) for patients 65 and up if it’s been at least 4 months since prior Bivalent dose. The CDC recommends one dose of Bivalent vaccine to patients 6 years and above who have not had a bivalent dose, regardless of prior vaccination.
RSV vaccine will be available if it’s ready for the fall.

All 3 vaccines (flu, COVID, and RSV) can be given together.

Use the form below to contact the clinic coordinator, Mike Silvonek.

Contact the Flu Shot Coordinator

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Questions/Comments

Comment

About Asbury’s Health Ministry:

Asbury’s Health Ministry strives to promote informative subjects to increase mind, body, and spiritual growth for all members – from toddlers through seniors.

Health Ministry Team to Offer Hands-Only CPR Teaching Session

Asbury Communications Asbury Health Ministry March 30, 2023

Asbury’s Health Ministry Team will be offering a “Hands Only CPR” teaching session on Sunday, April 16 from 7 PM – 8:30 PM in the Parlor. Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an “out-of-hospital” setting (such as at home, at work or in a park). It consists of two easy steps: Call 9-1-1 (or send someone to do that) and push on the victim’s chest hard and fast. This is not a CPR Certification course. All are invited to attend. Learn more from this info sheet provided by the American Heart Association.

The mission of the Health Ministry Team is to promote healthier members in mind, body and spirit.

Blood Pressure Checks (February 12)

Asbury Communications Asbury Health Ministry February 7, 2023

Asbury’s Health Ministry invites you to drop by the Parlor on Sunday, February 12 between 9 AM and 11:30 AM for a free blood pressure screening. Nursing students from Cedar Crest College will be providing the checks.

Health Ministries Team Gathering (January 29)

Asbury Communications Asbury Health Ministry January 10, 2023

Asbury’s Health Ministry Team will meet from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM on Sunday, January 29 in Room 231.

All who have an interest in the health of the church community are invited to attend.

The mission of the Health Ministry Team is to promote healthier members in mind, body and spirit.

Health Ministries Team Educational Tables

Asbury Communications Asbury Health Ministry April 7, 2022

Asbury’s Health Ministry Team will be announcing educational tables that will be held in the Parlor on Sunday mornings. Check back for more information.

The mission of the Health Ministry Team is to promote healthier members in mind, body and spirit.

Asbury Health Needs Assessment

Asbury Communications Asbury Health Ministry October 15, 2020

Asbury Health Needs Assessment

The mission of Asbury’s Health Ministry is to integrate health and faith through encouraging individuals to live healthier lives. We attempt to guide personal health through counseling, education and referrals to community resources. We would like to determine how we can help you and your family. In order to do that we would like to identify your health interests and needs, including physical, psychological and spiritual needs.

In order to determine how we can help, please check below all of the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs you and your family may have.

All responses are confidential.

Physical Health Needs

Adolescent health
Alzheimer’s/dementia
AIDS
Arthritis
Blood pressure/hypertension
Blood sugar/diabetes
Cancer
Cholesterol
Chronic back problems
Dental hygiene
Exercise
Heart disease and stroke
Infectious disease
Immunizations/vaccinations
Lung function (asthma, emphysema, etc.)
Lead poisoning
Men’s health issues
Nutrition/weight loss
Pain management
Pregnancy
Sleep disorders
Vision and hearing
Women’s health issues

Psychological/Emotional Needs

Anger
Anxiety
Bipolar disorder
Depression/Postpartum depression
Domestic abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, elder)
Eating disorders
Parenting
Substance abuse (smoking, alcohol, drugs)
Stress

Spiritual Needs

Death and dying
Forgiveness
Grief/loss
Guilt
Hope
Meaning and purpose
Suffering

Additional Comments

Category Archive

Health Ministry Article – July 2024 (“Dementia Friendly Church”)

Health Ministry

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

WHOLENESS

HISTORY OF HEALTH MINISTRIES

HEALTH MINISTRY AT ASBURY (1999 – PRESENT)

ROLES WITHIN ASBURY’S HEALTH MINISTRY

Any Asbury Family Member is welcome to join the team!

Get Connected

Blood Pressure Screenings (November 12)

Collection for Ripple Community Center (September 23)

Flu Shot Clinic (October 1, 2023)

Health Ministry Team to Offer Hands-Only CPR Teaching Session

Blood Pressure Checks (February 12)

Health Ministries Team Gathering (January 29)

Health Ministries Team Educational Tables

Asbury Health Needs Assessment

Asbury Health Needs Assessment

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