2011 Concordia Conference for Parish Nurse & Congregational Health Ministries
The LCMS Parish Nurse District Representatives met at Concordia University, Mequon, WI, May 31 & June 1. The theme was “Commitment to Serve”. There were 20 of the 35 district reps in attendance as well as our sister parish nurse from Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem, Palestine. We celebrated 5 years of parish nursing in Bethlehem with Raeda Mansour. Carol Lueders Bolwerk RN, PhD, CUW Director, Parish Nurse and Congregational Ministries is well organized and a great hostess each year for this event. Lake Michigan and the Mequon campus is beautiful! Dr. Marcia Schnorr continues to be the LCMS parish nurse coordinator and Maggie Karner, the synod’s Director of Life and Health Ministries. Each year relationships grow between many of the district representatives, joys and frustrations are shared, ideas and encouragement are given, and “pool therapy” is a great wrap up to each day.
The 19th Annual Concordia Conference for Parish Nurse and Congregational Health Ministries was held following our district rep meeting. “Trust in the Lord” was the theme for this two day conference. Nearly 80 parish nurses from 20 states attended. We heard excellent keynote speakers- Rev. Dr. Daniel Paavola, “It’s Not the First, It’s the Second That Matters” and “Esther Moments: Women’s Way of Leading” presented by Sarah Holton. A Pre-Conference presentation by Dr. John Oberdeck was titled “Spiritual Development Over the Lifespan” and a Post-Conference presentation by Dr. Marcia Schnorr was “Parish Nursing and Serving the Elderly”. The keynotes were followed by many excellent breakout sessions. I attended “Eat Healthier, Live Healthier” by Steve Gruenwald, “In the Medicine Cabinet: Over the Counter Medications” by Dr. Joan Nathan, and “Liability Issues in Parish Nursing” by Mary Wolverton.
My function as district rep is to promote, support and educate others about parish nursing and health ministries. As the Iowa District East rep I have identified 10 parish nurses in our district. I appreciate the support given from the synod, district and my congregation for me to be able to attend this conference. Please contact me if I can assist you in learning more about health ministries and parish nursing.
Ronda Anderson RN, Parish Nurse, Bethany Lutheran Church, 2202 Forest Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. 319-364-6026 ext 205 nurse.bethanycr@gmail.com
Parish Nurse District Representative, LCMS Iowa District East
