Health

Health Cabinet and Parish Nursing

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:16-18

Our Mission Statement: The mission of Community Lutheran Church Health Cabinet is to promote Christ-centered physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health. We strive to serve God and meet the needs of our church, family and community.

What is a Parish Nurse?
A parish nurse is a registered nurse with previous experience, usually in a hospital or public health, who has taken a specialized training course in parish nursing. The parish nurse assists congregation members in upholding their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The parish nurse does not do "hands on" care or duplicate other available nursing or medical services, but seeks to bridge the gaps identified in the health education and care delivery system.

Role of the Health Cabinet

Plan and evaluate health activities
Support parish nurse
Assist in locating community resources
Assist in integrating our Lutheran faith with our congregation’s health

Health Cabinet members

Donna Hinke, Joyce Roberts, Mary McGlasson and Margaret Simonsen (nurse).

The Four Roles of the Parish Nurse

Health Education
Personal Health Counseling
Liaison to Community Resources
Coordinator of Volunteers & Resources

Who is the Parish Nurse?

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Margaret Simonsen, RN

Margaret has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years and has practiced nursing in three states in a variety of settings including: Home Health Visitation, emergency clinics, doctors’ offices, and hospital units of Medical-Surgical, Intensive Care, Coronary Care, Emergency Department, and Operating Room.

She attended Sacred Heart School of Nursing with an A.S. in nursing from Pensacola College, a B.S. in Health Science and Masters in Education from Chapman University. She also holds a Teaching Credential from National University. She has been a certified instructor for the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.

Margaret’s goal as a Parish Nurse is to teach and encourage emotional and physical well- being in harmony with spiritual goals. She is married to Weaver Simonsen and has a grown, married daughter.

When Should I Call the Parish Nurse?

Feel free to call the parish nurse when:

You have health questions.
You need a referral to a community resource.
You have an idea for a health activity that would be useful at our church.
You desire a visit to discuss health or well-being concerns in the context of our faith.

“And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:2

The Congregation as a Healing Community

We believe that the healing of the individual begins with the forgiveness of sins given by God through His gift of faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That faith is nurtured and strengthened through regular participation in the Word and Sacrament ministry of the church. We seek to complement and point to this most important ministry of the church as the primary work of healing in the church. The healing power of the Gospel is also proclaimed in many other venues in the congregation, as we strive to use our different gifts to serve each other and the community at large.

Phone Numbers

Community Lutheran Church 760-739-1650

Parish Nurse Margaret Simonsen, RN 760-749-2692; email: msimonsen@clcesc.org

Ministries Coordinator Donna Hinke 760-746-0258

Grief Share Leader Joyce Roberts 760-432-8458

Senior Citizen Resource Liaison Mary McGlasson 760-743-3964