Health Ministry
Following the model of Parish Nursing, our Health Ministry Team will be working with, and through, members of Faith to provide care to the bodies, minds, and spirits of our members and friends.
Health Ministry can take many directions, often focusing on education and expressing God’s love through simple acts of caring and compassion. Everyone will have the opportunity to both participate in, and receive benefits from, the work of the team. Below are some of the projects we have initiated:
Health Ministry Minute: “Snipits” of health related information in our bulletins, newsletters, and online updates.
Friendly Freezer: Frozen meals made/donated by members of Faith delivered to members who would benefit from a prepared meal.
Share a Ride: Need a ride to church? Willing to drive someone to church? Contact Cindy Zimmermann to be a volunteer driver or to request a ride.
Holiday Recipes: During the Season of Advent, the Healthy Ministry Team is distributes a collection of healthy holiday recipes.
Health Ministry Minute
7 Building Blocks for Better Health
Do you want to improve your health but aren’t sure where to start? Consider these everyday ways to boost your health and wellness.
1. Go fish – Omega-3 fatty acids – which are plentiful in oily fish such as salmon and tuna – have long been recognized for their important health benefits. And now researchers have found one more advantage: Eating fish more than once a week may significantly lower the risk of dementia.
2. Be grateful – Genuinely appreciating the different aspects of your life can improve your well-being. In fact, people who regularly practice gratitude – by writing gratitude lists, for instance – report greater happiness and optimism, have lower levels of stress and depression, and even sleep better at night.
3. Strike a (Yoga) pose– A recent study shows that regular yoga practice can help relieve pain, disability and depression in people with chronic low back pain.
4. Brush your teeth – Daily brushing and flossing can prevent periodontitis, a serious gum infection that increases your risk of head and neck cancers. Some research also shows that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease.
5. Brew a cup of tea – Research suggests that drinking three cups of green or black tea each day may help prevent stroke.
6. Call your doctor – No news isn’t always good news. Following up with your doctor is more important than ever. A recent study found that it’s not uncommon for doctors to forget to inform their
patients of abnormal test results.
7. Wear a milk mustache – Boosting your calcium intake – in the form of a daily glass of fat-free milk – may help you lose weight. In a recent study, women who drank a large glass of milk each morning lost about 5 pounds over the course of a year.
From Mayo Clinic Health Quest and the ELCA. Want more information? Visit www.elcaforwellness.org
