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.
Kim Vaupel, RN
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.
FEBRUARY UPDATE
Shoveling snow is never fun, but it is an essential winter chore. Moving snow can be strenuous and the cold weather can be tough on the human body. There is a potential for exhaustion, dehydration, back injuries, or even heart attacks. Whether you love or hate snow, here are some useful tips to protect yourself and your health as you shovel snow to clear driveways and sidewalks which helps prevent slips and falls outside your home.
1. Do not shovel after eating or while smoking.
2. Stretch out before shoveling to warm up your muscles, and take it slow.
3. Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it’s lighter.
4. If possible, use a snow blower for heavy, wet snow.
5. Push the snow rather than lift it.
6. If you do lift the snow, use a small shovel with a curved handle, or only partially fill the shovel so it’s not so heavy to lift.
7. Lift with your legs, not your back, and keep your back straight, bending at the hips.
8. Wear layers of clothing and remove them as you get warm.
9. Stay hydrated - drink plenty of water while shoveling.
10. Pace yourself and be sure to take frequent breaks.
11. Do not work to the point of exhaustion.
12. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends, especially if you have a heart condition. The mix of cold temperatures and physical exertion increases the work-load on the heart which may increase risk of a heart attack while shoveling snow.
13. Always have a cell phone with you so you can dial 911 in the event of a medical emergency.
14. Hope that Punxsutawney Phil does not see his shadow on Groundhog’s Day - this means an early spring, and you can put away your snow shovel until next winter!
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
