Health Ministries Page

by Sue Meyer, Diocesan Health Ministry Coordinator

January 10 through 16 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. It is a good time to remind parishioners of every age about the importance of being vaccinated against the various forms of influenza that are so prevalent today. Of particular concern is the fact that, while the number of hospitalizations and deaths from so-called Swine Flu, H1N1 virus, has dropped in recent weeks, it is still important to guard against this potentially fatal disease. Many medical experts expert a "third wave" of H1N1 before this cold winter is over and there is plenty of vaccine available to cover at-risk persons. Clergy and other health ministers are urged to call upon their parishioners to consult with their health care providers and find out whether or not they ought to be vaccinated at once.

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month ~ The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds health care professionals that Medicare provides coverage of a comprehensive annual glaucoma screening exam for Medicare beneficiaries at high risk for developing glaucoma. Please visit the Medicare Learning Network for more information on these and other Medicare fee-for-service educational products.

Health Ministries Resolution Approved at General Convention of Episcopal Church

Resolution: A077
Proposer: Standing Commission on Health

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention urges the congregations of The Episcopal Church, which have not already done so, to explore and implement health ministry as an organizing concept or vital component of outreach and pastoral care of the congregations by 2012; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention encourages congregations to raise awareness of health ministries and promote the understanding that health includes body, mind and spirit.

EXPLANATION

Health ministries play a unique and critical role in facilitating the overall health of clergy, staff and congregation. Health ministry looks different from congregation to congregation, reflecting the unique needs, interests and resources of the faith community.

National Episcopal Health Ministries (NEHM) educates leaders for Episcopal health ministry and parish nursing, supports those engaged in health ministry in Episcopal congregations and provides resources to local congregations, dioceses and provinces. NEHM is a valuable resource for those seeking assistance in the development of faith ministries.

Rite Living

Four excellent articles on health, solar power, personal finances, and intimacy prepared by the Stewardship Team at St. David's, Wilmington.

Increased Risk at Communion? No.

There is no proven connection between Communion cups and the spread of illness. In 1998, the Center for Disease Control made a statement declaring their official, two-decades-old position regarding the risk of infectious disease transmission from a common communion cup:

Within the CDC, the consensus is that a theoretic risk of transmitting infectious diseases by using a common communion cup exists, but the risk is too small to be detectable. The CDC has not been called on to investigate any outbreaks of infectious diseases that allegedly have been linked to the use of a common communion cup. In summary, the risk for infectious disease transmission by a common communion cup is very low, and appropriate safeguards -- that is, wiping the interior and exterior rim between communicants, use of care to rotate the cloth during use, and use of a clean cloth for each service -- would further diminish this risk. In addition, sharing the communion cup is discouraged if a person has an active respiratory infection, or moist or open sores on their lips.

Reception of the chalice is a personal choice.

The Church has long recognized that reception of either the bread or wine conveys all of the grace of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Everyone is encouraged to make their own decision on whether to take part in these practices.

Updated 1/11/2010

TAKE THREE STEPS TO FIGHT THE FLU

STEP 1: TAKE TIME TO GET VACCINATED!

(However, any vaccination should not take place before you have a discussion about it with your health provider.)

CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three seasonal viruses that research suggests will be most common.
Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
Seasonal flu vaccine also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to prevent giving the flu to those at high risk.
A seasonal vaccine will not protect you against novel H1N1.
A new vaccine against novel H1N1 is being produced and will be available in the coming months as an option for prevention of novel H1N1 infection.
People at greatest risk for novel H1N1 infection include children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease.
***TIPS FROM SUE*** I would also recommend that you consult your health provider to see if you’re a candidate for the pneumonia vaccine. If you have already had it, check to make sure it’s current!
There have been several cases of shingles recently in our congregation. There IS a vaccine for this. Again… I would recommend that you talk with your health provider to see if you are a candidate!

STEP 2: TAKE EVERYDAY PREVENTIVE ACTION!

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.*
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours AFTER your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.

STEP 3: TAKE FLU ANTIVIRAL DRUGS IF RECOMMENDED!

If you get seasonal or novel H1N1 flu, antiviral drugs can treat the flu. Again, you should contact your health provider if you have symptoms of the flu.
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.
Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter and are different from antibiotics.
Antiviral drugs may be especially important for people who are very sick (hospitalized) or people who are sick with the flu and who are at increased risk of serious flu complications, such as pregnant women, young children and those with chronic health conditions.
For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started within the first 2 days of symptoms.

Flu-like symptoms include

fever (usually high)
headache
extreme tiredness
dry cough
runny or stuffy nose
muscle aches
sore throat
vomiting
sometimes diarrhea

Other Health Tips

wash your hands frequently and keep hand sanitizer in your car or purse. Currently, Giant is the only supermarket that I know of that routinely has “wipes” in the lobby to be used to wipe the handle of your grocery cart. I also use sanitizer when I return to my car after doing any kind of shopping! Last month, WalMart told me that they could not keep hand sanitizer in stock. I couldn’t find it in any of the local grocery or drug stores. However, I have seen it back on shelves in all of the above locations. I would encourage you to buy several bottles and send them to school with your child if allowed.

Swine Flu Links

Our Health Ministry Coordinator

Sue Meyer, our diocesan health ministry coordinator, is our liaison with the National Episcopal Health Ministries, a vital ministry to our denomination.

As diocesan coordinator, Sue works to promote health ministries in our diocese. She hopes to link together parishes with existing health ministries and parish nurse programs. She is also ready to share information about the potential for health ministries to congregations and communities here in Delaware.

Sue is a registered nurse. For the last several years she has led an active health ministry program at St. Peter’s, Lewes. If you would like to be in touch with Sue, her contact information is below.

Sue Meyer's duties include (but are not limited to):

Being the resource person for various needs;
Promoting health ministry in our diocese;
Establishing a health ministry in our diocese;
Keeping regular communications between the diocese, the Province III regional representative, and national office;
Staying in touch with needs of diocesan health ministers;
Visiting parishes with active health ministries;
Working with parishes desiring to develop health ministries;
Meeting with health committees in our diocese;
Having a presence at the diocesan convention; and;
Educating the diocese on health care topics through the diocesan newspaper, the Delaware Communion.

Goals for Individual Congregations

Embrace the vision of the National Episcopal Health Ministries that "every Episcopal congregation become a vibrant, caring place of health and wholeness".
Promote whole person health, prevent disease, and manage illness in the faith community.
Bring together health care professionals and those with an interest in healing and wholeness ministry to carry out this vision.
Support and share resources with other faith communities.
Move the congregation ahead in their understanding of health and wholeness.
Ensure a just distribution of health care resources for all through advocacy.
Develop a vision for the program by assessing the congregational health needs, and structuring a program that addresses those needs through:
- Educational forums
- Health fairs
- Blood pressure screening
- Communication with other groups in the parish to encourage them to share the vision of a healthy congregation
- Newsletter articles
- Home visits

Contact

Sue Meyer
Health Ministry Liaison, Diocese of Delaware
16893 Ketch Court
Lewes, Delaware 19958
302-644-6691
Click here to send her an email.

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