Brotherly Love Ministry - Parish Nursing
Parish Nurse Office Hours Regular parish nurse office hours are from 9 am to 10:15 am every Sunday, September through May. Please feel free to stop by during this time to talk, or I am available by phone call or text as needed. If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me at 484-223-7324.
Taking Blood Pressure Readings We would like to to offer blood pressure screening for members of Grace and the community at the monthly Free Community meal. If you would like to take blood pressures for those attending the Free Community meal (the second Friday of each month from 5 pm to 6:30 pm), please contact Kim Vaupel.
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.
APRIL UPDATE
Spring is here!
Spring means warmer weather, spending more time outdoors in the sunshine, sitting on the green grass, and seeing the flowers bud and the blooming trees. Spring is a beautiful time of the year, unless you are one of the millions of people who have seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever and allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergy symptoms include sneezing, coughing, chest or nasal congestion, a stuffy or runny nose, itchy, watery or puffy eyes, itchy throat or sinuses, fatigue, and headaches. Seasonal allergies differ from a cold or the flu because there are no symptoms of fever or body aches.
Seasonal allergies are triggered by increased pollen from trees in early spring and grasses in late spring. The best way to reduce seasonal allergy symptoms is to limit or avoid exposure to the allergy triggers. These include limiting outdoor activities on days when the pollen count is high, keeping windows closed to keep pollens out (use air conditioning at home or in the car), using a HEPA filter, taking a shower, washing your hair, and changing clothes after coming indoors.
Activities to avoid are mowing the lawn, pulling weeds or doing other gardening chores on high pollen count days, as these activities stir up allergens. There is nothing better in the spring than the smell of fresh laundry and sheets after they have been hanging on the clothesline to dry. However, pollen can stick to sheets and towels, and it is best to limit drying laundry outdoors on days when there is a high pollen count. Avoid outside activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest. Daily pollen counts are available online, or check your local TV station for a daily report.
Seasonal allergies may make sufferers feel unwell, but there are medications and treatments available to treat these symptoms. You may take over the counter oral antihistamines (Ceftirizine and Loratadine), oral decongestants (Sudafed) and corticosteroid nasal sprays (Flonase). If high pollen counts are expected, start taking allergy medicine before your symptoms start if instructed by your doctor. Always remember to consult your patient care provider (PCP) prior to taking any over the counter medication, to ensure it is safe for you and your health based on your medical history.
If your symptoms are severe, you may need to consult an allergist doctor who specializes in treating allergies. Allergy injections are available from the doctor to treat the symptoms when oral medication is not effective. Wearing a mask outdoors is another option to help protect you from allergy triggers that cause seasonal allergies. The use of a mask will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Please take time to get outdoors this spring for a breath of fresh air after the long, cold, nd snowy winter that is now a thing of the past!
May peace and good health be with you all!
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
