Brotherly Love Ministry - Parish Nursing
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Parish Nurse Summer Hours
I will be available by phone call or text anytime during the summer months of June, July, and August. If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me at 484-223-7324. I will resume the in person office hours from 9:00 am to 10:15 am on September 8, 2024. Enjoy the summer!
Kim Vaupel, RN
Committee Update
We will continue to collect empty pill bottles to donate to Barrel of Love. When full, the barrel will be sent to a medical clinic in Liberia, where the bottles are filled with medication and distributed to those in need. After the barrel is empty, it is used by residents to collect rainwater. A special thank you to our friends at Asbury Methodist Church in Allentown who helped us find out about this ministry! Please place the empty pill bottles in the box by the front ramp entrance.
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.
July News
I am excited that Summer is here! Time for hot weather and fun in the sun!
Swimming pools have always been the perfect way to cool off in the summer heat. However, pools can be dangerous, especially for children. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children and teens, and can happen quickly and silently. The highest drowning rate is between the ages of one and four, with a second peak for adolescents aged 15 to 19. Males are also at a greater risk of drowning than females, especially up to one year of age. It is important to follow swimming pool safety tips to prevent drowning and other injuries that can occur when taking a relaxing plunge into the swimming pool.
1. Swimming pools should be enclosed with fencing around the entire pool and have selflatching gates. Pool ladders should be removed from above ground pools when the pool is not in use.
2. Never swim alone - use the buddy system! Most drownings occur when a swimmer is alone.
3. Walk, don’t run around the pool area to prevent falls and injury.
4. No diving in the shallow end of an in-ground pool and no diving in an above ground pool ever to prevent spinal injuries.
5. No roughhousing in the pool or pool area – prevent injury and drowning, don’t jump on each other in the pool, don’t push someone into the pool, and don’t hold anyone under the water at any time.
6. No glass in the pool area to prevent cuts to the skin, especially on the feet and hands.
7. Children should take swimming lessons to learn how to swim before entering the water.
8. Have a responsible adult supervise children in the pool and pool area. Children should never be unattended in a pool or pool area.
9. Swim sober - alcohol impairs judgment when swimming and increases the risk of drowning and injuries.
10. Use sunscreen when swimming to prevent sunburn.
11. Wear properly fitting life jackets for safety.
12. Leave the pool and seek shelter when a storm approaches. Remain out of the water for 30 minutes after seeing the last lightning strike or after hearing the last roar of thunder.
13. Know how to respond in an emergency - learn CPR and first aid.
14. Always have a telephone close by in case you need to dial 911 in an emergency.
I hope you have a great time at the pool and a fun and healthy summer!
May peace and good health be with all of you!
Kim Vaupel, RN
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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