Caring

Prayer Shawls
For the past five years, Emanuel members have used their knitting talents to create Prayer Shawls.  These shawls are stitched with the prayers of the knitter and are provided free to church members, friends, families, and community members who are ill or grieving.  Many knitters work on their own, but others gather on the first Friday of the month at 1pm for fellowship.  Once per month, newly knitted shawls are blessed during worship. 

In 2007 over 60 shawls were given away!

To participate in this ministry or to learn more, please contact Doris Johnson or Norma Wirta.

Funeral Receptions
This team is here to help during a very difficult time.  Our ministry is to provide food following the funeral of your loved one.  As family and friends gather in Luther hall to support on another we are ready to serve a meal.

We are privileged to provide this service.  Seven families were served in 2007, and more than that so far in 2008.

This ministry thrives on the many hands who volunteer to make it possible.  To participate in this ministry or to learn more, please contact Doris Johnson or Norma Wirta.

Eucharistic Ministry to Homebound
Eucharistic Ministers provide communion to the 25+ Emanuel members who are unable to attend church and wish to have visits and communion at their home. Some of our homebound friends need visits only temporarily, others continuously. This ministry provides a "connection" with the Emanuel church family.

The goal is to provide a monthly contact with each homebound member and a Pastoral visit at least once each quarter.  The caregivers meet two times a year for fellowship, educational programs, updates and mutual support.

We invite any member of the church to join this giving and caring ministry. Thank you to all of the members that visit our members in need.  To learn more or the join this ministry, please contact Sylvia Hellstrom.

Parish Nursing
Parish Nursing is a holistic case management practice within the congregation that focuses on health promotion and disease prevention.  Emanuel’s parish nurse, Lynne Gustafson assesses, plans and implements nursing care that addresses the strengths and deficits of individuals, the congregation and the community. The parish nurse functions as a facilitator of health, promoting the congregation’s ministry of healing.

Lynne writes a monthly newsletter article about some aspect of health and wellness.  In addition, congregation nurses provide monthly blood pressure screenings, and promotes health education programs available within the community.

As a health counselor she provides private sessions with individuals to assist them to modify their life, adjust to disease, cope with chronic illness and other health concerns. She visits members in hospitals, homes and institutions of any kind to provide wholistic health care. She provides prayerful support for those in need and follows the doctrines of the Lutheran Church.

As a referral agent she refers individuals to appropriate health care resources within their community as well as supports and interprets medical regimes.

As a health care advocate she works with other health care professionals and clergy within the church and community to expand the concept of wholistic care. She assesses individual and church health needs and concerns and advocates for change.

The Parish Nurse does not provide hands on care nor does she  replace ones primary health care provider.