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Parish Nurse
Sue Richards
One of the
Faith in Action ideas planted in the early stages of exploring the desires of
our congregation was the addition of a Parish Nurse. This came at the very same
time that I was investigating the roles, responsibilities and goals of other
faith based nurses in the area. The
intrigue of faith community nursing has become a reality as I have begun the
course work for this calling. St. Mary’s hospital and in particular, Peg Weber,
have taken me under their wing and exposed
me to the many facets of this growing avocation. I am so excited to share with
you, my church family, all that I have learned and continue to learn in training
for the role of your Parish Nurse.
I am writing a monthly article for our Promise and weekly
health tips for our bulletin. If you have any topics, health issues, or concerns
that you would like me to investigate and share with our Covenant family please
feel free to contact me! I am here to serve!
In His (healthy) Grace,
Sue Richards, RN
Your Parish Nurse
Email: Nurse@CovLuth.org
Health and Independence
Resource Center
The Resource Center is located on the table next to the family mailboxes.
The center is maintained by the Covenant Care Team and includes helpful
websites, notice of upcoming events and written resources for...
• Middle-aged and older adults who want to stay
healthy, active and independent
• Individuals challenged by chronic conditions
• Caregivers
• Families and friends
Materials added frequently. Please check often.
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Healthy
News You Can Use!
Did you know?
Recent studies show that there are residual
benefits to vigorous exercise. For a period of time after a dynamic workout,
such as brisk walking, metabolism remains elevated above normal, which
results in additional calories burned. (President’s Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports)
Parish
Nurse Minute
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and
what does the Lord ask of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and
to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Walking is a part of our everyday life. Walking was one of those very first
accomplishments in our lives that was met with excitement, wonder and
praise. How often have you approached a parent of a toddler and asked, "is
she walking yet?" Those first steps are very wobbly at best. But when that
youngster gets moving there is no going back…! In Micah 6:8, among other
things, the Lord is asking us to walk humbly with our God. I think that this
is a poignant request as we enter the Lenten season. Walking with God means
(in Hebrew) to allow yourself to be advised by God‘. How cool is that! In
or-der to do this, you have to have your spiritual ears listening and tuned
into what God is saying or directing you toward. Walking can be a great way
to get ourselves focused and in tune with God to receive His advise! This
Lenten season we are going to add a physical and wellness focus, "Walking to
Emmaus," to our traditional reflection and meditations. With walking as the
most basic form of transportation and simplest exercise, it seems only
natural to consider a daily Lenten walk with God. We will not only feel
better but will deliberately create a time in our day to pay particular
attention to what God is saying and doing in our lives. Our "walk" can take
the form of any exercise, as we will be discussing at our Wednesday,
Saturday and Sunday services.
In the medical front, walking has been found not only to make you feel
better now, it will maintain your independence and ability to do daily tasks
as you age. Research has shown that walking regularly can help protect the
aging brain against memory loss and dementia, help cut the risk of heart
disease and reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes in high risk
adults by 60 percent!
Here are a few simple tips to get you moving…
1. Start with short distances or time periods…5-10 minutes at a time. Slowly
in-crease your time by a couple of minutes every two weeks.
2. Have a walking buddy. Having a partner motivates and makes you
accountable to each other.
3. Break it up. If your goal is 30 minutes, try walking 15 minutes twice a
day. Or break it up into 10 minute walks.
4. Wear a pedometer. Taking 5,000 steps or fewer daily is considered
sedentary. Work you way up to 10,000 steps, which is considered active.
5. Keep a record. Keeping a daily log of your time and distance lets you see
your progress and keeps you motivated.
Please join us in our "Walk to Emmaus" program. This can be the
year that we take the words "walk humbly with our God" seriously.
Allow your heart and mind to open up and to seek out that direction that you
are being lead. My hope is that this year‘s Lenten journey to Emmaus and
wellness discussions will spill over and motivate our daily routines. As you
look forward and when that Easter morning arrives, you will be greeted with
that same excitement, wonder and praise that you had when you took those
very first steps… and there will be no going back!!!
In His Grace,
Sue Richards, RN
Your Parish Nurse
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