"There has been a rapid rise in the number of parish nurses in the congregations of our church. I believe that is because their value has touched a nerve – the intersection of physical care and spiritual care has shown us that these are not separate arenas, but are integrated in the care of the whole person our Lord calls us to practice. We have people of faith, trained in nursing care, who are well equipped to bring this ministry into the life of the church."

- Bishop Peter Rogness, ECLA St. Paul Area Synod

"A parish nurse program complements and fills out a comprehensive pastoral care strategy for a congregation and its community."

- Bishop Craig Johnson, Minneapolis Area Synod-ELCA

Contact ...

For information in parish nursing:
Minneapolis/St. Paul ELCA PNA Chair, Ann Rabie
arabie@q.com

For speakers on beginning a health ministry in your church:
Valborg Tollefsrud
952-832-5926

Video Available ...

The ELCA Parish Nurse association has a DVD available titled "The Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ: The Parish Nurse". The DVD gives a unique look at who we are as children of God and what we believe to be the healing ministry of Christ. In the DVD, we begin to understand how parish nursing has an integral role in carrying out Christ's call to the ministry of health and wholeness.

Cost of the video is $10 and can be ordered through Karen Treat, Parish Nurse, ELCA Communication Committee, Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108.

Books for Assistance ...

• The Parish Nurse: Providing a Minister of Health for Your Congregation, Granger E. Westberg and Jill Westberg McNamara, Augsburg Fortress, 1990 — Although this book is 15 years old, it remains a classic for outlining the theory behind the development of the idea of parish nursing.
• Parish Nurse - Promoting Whole Person Health Within Faith Communities, Phyllis Ann Solari-Twadell and Mary Ann McDermott, eds., Sage, 1999
• The Essential Parish Nurse: ABCs for Congregational Health Ministry, Deborah L. Patterson, The Pilgrim Press, 2003

Other Resources ...

• International Parish Nurse Resource Center ... (Recommended Media)
• Health Ministries Association
• Concordia Parish Nurse Center
• ELCA Board of Pensions Living Well