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
Committee Update
Grace will continue to collect empty pill bottles to fill our Barrel of Love. 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.
October News
October is Fire Prevention Month. A house fire is a devastating event to happen to anyone. A fire can start quickly, and in a short time personal belongings, special memories and even lives can be lost. During October, local firefighters visit schools and community groups to speak about the importance of fire prevention. I share with you the following tips to promote fire safety awareness.
1. Check your Smoke Detectors—Test the smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries as needed. Install smoke detectors outside each bedroom and on each floor of your home, including the basement. Install a carbon monoxide detector in the home.
2. Create an Escape Plan—Have a family discussion regarding creating a home fire evacuation plan. Each family member should know two ways to exit each room of the home (it may be by a door or through a window). Practice fire drills twice a year. Remember to cover your mouth as you evacuate. Teach family members, including children to “get low and go” if the smoke is too heavy. Make sure the family has a designated outside meeting place at a safe distance from your home.
3. Get Out and Stay Out—Get out of the home immediately and once you are out, stay out! Don’t go back inside the home for belongings, pets or loved ones. Your personal safety is important! Wait to DIAL 911 until you are safely outside. The trained firefighters will arrive and enter the home to rescue your pets and loved ones and extinguish the fire. Teach children how to call 911 in the event of an emergency.
4. Keep Yourself Free from Distractions when Cooking—Do not leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended when cooking. Remember to keep a fire extinguisher accessible in the kitchen. Never pour water on a grease fire!
5. Be Mindful of Electrical Outlets and Wires—Avoid overloading electrical outlets and extension cords with multiple appliances and devices. Replace cords that are damaged, cracked or have loose connections.
6. Keep Flammable Objects in Safe Areas—Store matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Remember to turn off space heaters when you leave the room. Extinguish candles and cigarettes when you leave the room or when going to bed.
7. Keep a Fire Extinguisher and Fire Blanket in your home—Learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher by following the instructions. Contact your local fire department for a demonstration of the proper use of a fire extinguisher. The fire blanket can be tossed over any small fire to instantly suffocate it.
8. Stop, Drop and Roll—Teach all family members, including children, that if clothes catch on fire, you should stop, drop onto the ground, and roll around to extinguish the fire. Seek medical attention to have any burns or injuries treated.
If you would like to learn more about fire prevention and fire safety for your family and your home, please contact your local fire department for assistance and to answer any questions.
On August 8, 2024, there was a house fire in Alburtis. Thankfully, the family of three and their two cats were rescued safely from the home. However, the father of the family was hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. His condition is improving as he recovers. The proceeds from this year’s Grace Lutheran Church Apple Harvest Festival basket raffle will be donated to this family in our community to assist them to rebuild their life. Please come to the festival to help show your support to this family in need!
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