The Congregational Health Partnership is a collaborative effort between Snohomish Health District, the Interfaith
Association of Snohomish County, Providence Everett Medical Center and Puget Sound Health Ministries. The project
supports communities of faith interested in establishing and maintaining a health ministry program.
Congregational nursing, also known as parish nursing, integrates physical and mental health with spirit. Parish
nurses are certified to work within spiritual or faith communities as health educators and advocates. Many nurses
across the country serve, remunerated or not, as part of the parish staff. In addition to keeping office hours to
assist individual congregates or visit homes, nurses educate via church newsletters and bulletins, workshops,
committees and prayer meetings.
What clergy members with a congregational nurse on staff have to say...
"I have had the privilege of having a parish nurse at First Covenant Church. She is a valuable asset to the congregational care
of our people. She is involved in visitation...and then fills me in; she acts as a consultant so I am much more knowledgeable
about what is going on. Her visits don't replace my visits, but rather helps our people to feel much more cared for and in
touch. Something as simple as the monthly blood pressure checks leads to profound and meaningful conversations with old and
young alike. Frankly she is a gift to our ministry that I don't know how we did without previously."
-Pastor Bill Goodwin, First Covenant Church, Everett
"Our congregational nurse gives a health presence at our church... she takes blood pressures, does education, and she has even
helped when people have fainted during our worship service. She also has done education forums with both our children and adults
during the summer time."
-Reverend Lee Kluth, Trinity Lutheran Church, Everett
Congregational nurses and health workers participating in the Congregational Health Partnership meet quarterly at the Providence
Pavilion in Everett. The partnership also mails a free quarterly newsletter to all interested parties. We always welcome new members!
For more information about becoming a parish nurse, or to request a newsletter and meeting schedule, please contact either:
Sally Shinstrom, Interfaith Association of Northwest Washington
P.O. Box 12824
Everett, WA 98206
425.252.6672 (Phone)
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Keri Moore, Snohomish Health District
3020 Rucker Ave, Suite 203
Everett, WA 98201-3900
425.339.8637 (Phone)
kmoore@shd.snohomish.wa.gov
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Past Newsletters:
Links:
Last Reviewed and updated October 15, 2008
