Health

Caring for Mind, Body, and Spirit

The Lord of Life Health Ministry serves the congregation and community in caring for one another and seeks to foster a sense of healing and wellness. This is done in diverse ways through the leadership of our Faith Community Nurse Brenda Stockham, counselor Beth Hall, and a team of Health Ministries volunteers. Together, they support health-related needs at Lord of Life and offer educational opportunities to sustain physical and emotional well-being.

Contact Brenda Stockham, Faith Community Nurse

Home and Lifestyle Support

The support the Health Ministry provides is as diverse as the needs that arise. “It’s really about meeting people where they are,” Brenda says. “It’s checking on people and answering questions while building relationships.”

Among the most visible contributions of the Health Ministry are periodic blood drives and flu/pneumonia shot clinics. The team also provides educational opportunities on health-related topics, encouraging people to be proactive and informed about their health. Need to know if your home blood-pressure monitor is properly calibrated? Brenda can help—either here at the church or in the comfort of your home! Trying to figure out how bring up end-of-life care planning or funeral pre-planning for yourself or a loved one? Brenda and Beth can work with you to ensure families feel supported in expressing their needs and are prepared for the future.

As our community nurse, Brenda also plays a key role in connecting our pastoral staff with members requiring spiritual or emotional support. When a new child arrives, the ministry prepares blessing baskets for the family. They prepare hospital bags filled with care items from our Hands of Faith Store to comfort and support people in the hospital or rehab. In addition, the Health Ministry helps people transition from hospital or rehab to home and adapt to lifestyle changes. Care can continue as needed or requested through home visits and help securing transportation.

For years, Beth Hall, MA, LBSW, LCDC, facilitated individuals and groups of all ages during her career as a school counselor and knows the importance of feeling supported and connected during difficult times. She holds a master’s degree in counseling and is also a licensed social worker and chemical dependency counselor. Beth provides counseling as well as social support through scheduled phone visits, individual meetings, and groups.

Health Ministry Highlights

Every day, you will find Brenda and Beth engaged in activities at Lord of Life or working with someone in the Lord of Life community. If you have any questions about Health Ministry programs, or if you would like to volunteer or have a suggestion for activities, please contact them!

Did you know that the Health Ministry has a supply of medical-related equipment—crutches, walkers, chairs and much more—to loan out should the need arise? In need? Just ask!

Meals for Homebound

Every week, in conjunction with Lord of Life’s Wednesday night Music, Meals, and More fellowship, the Health Ministry coordinates the delivery of thirty to forty meals to people in our church community who are seniors and homebound. An energetic and compassionate team of volunteers handles meal preparation, packaging, and drop-off. The casual fellowship they provide—as well as the extra meals—are an important part of how we support each other at Lord of Life.

Grief Share

Periodically, Beth facilitates a Grief Share support group for those who have lost loved ones. These usually take place two to three times a year, and new groups can be initiated as the need arises. “I am called by God to use my gifts to bring a Christ-centered approach of hope and healing to church members and their families,” Beth says.

Learning and Donating

Other aspects of the Health Ministry’s work include

• Lunch & Learn series – On topics such as disaster planning, senior living options, prayer labyrinths, spiritual practice, end-of-life planning
• Vaccine clinics – Coordinated with local pharmacies
• Blood drives
• Hospital bags – For patients and family members during a hospital stay; these are funded by donations to a restricted fund and contain items from the Hands of Faith Fair Trade shop
• Blessing baskets – For newlyweds and at the birth of a child
• Health navigation – Assistance obtaining health services and community resources

Future plans for the Health Ministry include

• Support groups for caregivers and for families of those experiencing memory loss
• Care packages for people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment
• Stop the Bleed/CPR/First Aid training for all ages