Brotherly Love Ministry - Parish Nursing
Parish Nurse Hours
I am available from 9:00 am to 10:15 am on Sunday mornings. If I can be of any assistance, please stop by my office in the Library in the Sunday School wing during this time, or call or text me anytime at 484-223-7324.
Kim Vaupel, RN
Updates
The next Brotherly Love Ministry meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 6 pm in the Chapel. All are welcome to attend. We will discuss plans for this ministry for 2025. Thank you to all who donated 1133 empty pill bottles to fill the Barrel of Love. Congratulations to Lois Pearsall, who guessed 1006 in the Guess the Pill bottle contest. Hers was the closest guess without going over, so she received an autumn themed gift basket as a prize. The barrel was shipped to a medical clinic in Liberia on November 16, 2024. The staff at the medical clinic will use the pill bottles to fill them with medications. The residents of Liberia will use the empty barrel to collect rainwater for bathing and cooking. Thank you to Dick from Asbury Methodist Church for picking up the barrel at Grace!
WHERE TO FIND...
The AED (defibrillator) is mounted on the wall by the AED sign. There is an emergency supply kit and a diabetic emergency supply kit on the table next to the pew in the Chapel. If you enter the Chapel from the doorway in the hallway by the sanctuary, the table with the emergency care kits will be on your right. This is a more central location than the previous one in the event of an emergency. When you are next at church, please take a minute to locate the emergency equipment.
First Aid kits are in all restrooms and the Sunday School classroom. There is also a first aid kit in the rear of the sanctuary on a table below the bulletin board, and in the kitchen on the counter in Fellowship Hall (downstairs). Feminine hygiene products are available in all restrooms except for the Men’s restroom in the Sunday School wing.
The Brotherly Love Ministry/Parish Nurse bulletin board is by the front ramp entrance.
December News
It is December and the holiday season is quickly approaching! We are all busy getting ready for “the most wonderful time of the year.” For those who have lost a loved one this past year or even many years ago, celebrating Christmas may be different for emotionally and physically. The loss of a loved one is a trying time for anyone. This feeling of loss can be more difficult during the holidays. Whether you are the one who is suffering from loss yourself or you are trying to console a family member or friend, It is a tough situation for all. Those feeling the loss may be afraid to cry, speak about their loved one or express their feelings and may isolate themselves from others and from social situations like holiday gatherings. Those who are the consolers deal with their own feelings and often don’t know what to say or are afraid their words may upset the one who suffered loss.
It has been twelve years since my mom died and Christmas can still be difficult for me. People think those who are nurses, doctors, clergy or counselors should be able to easily deal with loss because we are trained to help people deal with loss. The truth is we are human and experience the same emotions as anyone who suffers a loss. I miss the taste of my mom’s Christmas cookies. I did not inherit her “baking gene.” My mom loved to go shopping and decorate the house for the holidays. I did inherit these genes from her! When I think of the fun and holiday traditions we shared together, it puts a smile on my face. I miss these times and keep these memories close to my heart.
When dealing with the loss of a loved one at Christmas, you can cope by acknowledging your grief by setting a place at the holiday table for them, sharing memories with loved ones by lighting a candle in their honor, cooking their favorite meal and remembering your holiday traditions, or making a memorial donation to a cause your loved one supported and seeking support from family and friends as needed.
To comfort someone at Christmas after a death, acknowledge their loss openly, let them share memories of the deceased, create new traditions, be present and listen attentively and let them know you are there for them and understand the pain of missing someone every day and during the holiday season.
There will be triggers every day that will remind you of your loved one. It is okay to cry when you hear your loved one’s favorite Christmas carol, attend a holiday party or family gathering alone, or wake up Christmas morning and your loved one is not there. Remember your loved one is watching over you from heaven and wishes for you to celebrate this holiday season as you are able.
As you prepare for the birth of our beloved Jesus Christ during this holiday season, take a moment to remember a happy memory of your departed loved ones and offer words of encouragement to someone who needs a friendly ear to listen, a hand to hold, or a shoulder to cry on. Please encourage them that time, love, and support from others does heal all wounds.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season! May peace and good health be with all of you!
Kim Vaupel, RN
History: In September 2023, a new ministry was started at Grace Lutheran Church. The goal of this ministry is to promote the health, wellness and safety of the members of Grace and the community. Brotherly Love Ministry was named in honor of my brother Leonard Sterner, Jr. who passed away unexpectedly in September 2019. Since my brother was proud that his sister was a nurse, I have decided to use the memorial donations given to Grace in his name to start this parish nursing ministry. This memorial fund was used to pay for the classes I needed to take in order to obtain a certification in faith community/parish nursing, and also to attend a lay eucharistic communion class. After this, I will be available to assist Pastor Samantha with visiting the homebound and ill of the congregation. I will also be a resource to the congregation to answer any medical questions and offer support to the congregation as needed.
Next I will be updating the church first aid kits, and will create a kit for use in case of a medical emergency which will include a blood pressure cuff, a glucometer to check blood sugars, snacks to treat low blood sugar, and a pulse oximeter to check oxygen levels. I am also asking for anyone certified in CPR to contact me at the number below, as I will be creating a list of those members certified in CPR. I plan to coordinate a one-hour class taught by the Macungie Ambulance team to teach “hands on CPR for the community” to anyone interested in learning this skill.
On a monthly basis, I will be speaking to the congregation about how to prepare in the event of medical emergencies, fire emergencies and gun violence emergencies. My goal is to raise awareness and prepare the congregation for these different emergency situations, and be available to the members of Grace as your parish nurse. I look forward to sharing information with all of you in my monthly newsletter column in the Grace Notes monthly newsletter, and here on this website.
Peace be with all of you!
Kim Vaupel, RN
