Parish Nurse for CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, FREDERICTON NB
Permanent part-time position: 20 hours/ week with benefits
Definition: Parish nursing emphasizes the wholeness of body, mind and spirit rooted in the vision of Christ as Healer. A Parish Nurse is a registered nurse who practices holistic health for self, individuals and the community using nursing knowledge combined with spiritual care. See the Canadian Association of Parish Nursing Ministries.
by Isabel Cutler, former Parish Nurse of Christ Church Cathedral
In 2003 I held a meeting in the lounge and asked some health care professionals to attend to look at the possibility of starting a Cathedral health ministry.
Thirty people attended to listen to what seemed a very unstructured dream, but from that meeting to this year of 2021 (18 yrs) the health ministry and parish nurse ministries have grown at Christ Church Cathedral with the support of our Church, the Clergy and Laity.
At first its growth was one step at a time, through the spearheading by a Parish Nursing Ministry which we began in 2005. With an enormous team of congregational members with every kind of unique skills (not only health related but lawyers, accountants etc, offering their support; while others drive a car to appointments and other knit a prayer shawl), the Parish Nurse has provided invaluable expertise as afforded by her Registered Nurse status to support and direct those who are not well in our church community and beyond. So often we were told, "I do not need you now but it is such a comfort to know you are there.” Of course there are plenty who need us, and much to do.
I am writing this as Kathleen prepares to step back after 5 years. She has built on the legacy left for her so that the Health and Parish Nursing ministries today are vibrant, relevant to Cathedral life and the world as it stands today.
We have a great deal to be grateful to her for. I, for one say: thank you Kathleen you are a good and faithful servant of the Lord and you have followed His direction to accomplish His work at the Cathedral.
We see with COVID-19 the enormous physical and mental health toll this pandemic has brought, and as we come through it there will be much to do to support so many, in body, mind and spirit.
Now that I am no longer a Parish Nurse, nor a current member of the Cathedral family, from where I sit (on the edge of the world in Newfoundland in a different but similar role) I so appreciate the blessing we were given by God to provide this ministry for others.
It is only on God's call for this ministry that it has flourished. Now at this time of transition, we await his direction for another Parish Nurse if that is meant to be, whether from New Brunswick or farther afield. All God’s work has a season but I pray that this work, this ministry will continue according to His plan and in His care.
Meanwhile, gratitude and love outpouring for Kathleen as she begins another part of her own journey. Well done and if it were not for COVID, big hugs, and sending of all God’s blessings for the future.
The Reverend Deacon Isabel Cutler
Parish of Isle aux Morts, NL
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the rhythm of daily life, piling unwelcome stress onto most people. Yoga is one of many ways to cope with that problem.
“I got out my yoga mat and went through a stretching routine similar to the one our instructor, Tammy Blyth, uses,” said Sally Dibblee, who regularly attends Tammy's Monday afternoon classes at Cathedral Memorial Hall. “I felt so good afterwards.”
The weekly class, organized by the parish nurse, has had to be cancelled indefinitely due to the provincial state of emergency.
The class includes several beginners, so Tammy has spent time explaining the benefits of the ancient practice of yoga. This type of self-care can help reduce stress and inspire well-being. She said breathing deeply and deliberately provides oxygen to nourish the body; it can also relax the brain and nervous system.
“Tammy is always urging us to breathe, breathe, breathe,” Sally said.
The instructor has also pointed out that exercise and stretching not only boost the effectiveness of the lungs and circulatory system, but can also lift the spirits.
“This pandemic is an emotional time with the challenges of cancelled activities, physical/social distancing, worries about the health of loved ones, feelings of isolation, financial concerns,” Sally said. “Your whole body can tighten up before you even realize it, but yoga stretches can release those tensions and make you feel better physically and mentally.”
Diane Radford is another regular participant who misses Tammy's yoga classes.
“I liked learning new yoga poses, and I appreciated that Tammy was considerate of 'newbies' or older people who might not be as flexible,” Diane said. “She always offered modifications and alternatives for the poses.”
She said she also enjoyed the sociability of the hour-long class, which has attracted members of the cathedral congregation and people from the community.
“Tammy is always a positive person,” Diane commented. “She looks on the bright side of life. I'll be glad when it's safe for classes to resume.”
While waiting for the state of emergency to end, Diane continues to exercise by walking outdoors and by dancing.
YouTube is an option for yoga enthusiasts or for people who want to try it while having time on their hands. Many online classes are available there. The “Y” has also produced a series of exercise videos, including several yoga routines, which are available at YMCA360.org
Parish Nurse Kathleen Snow advises that yoga mats should be cleaned regularly at home with a damp cloth and a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. In these times of preventing the spread of virus, people may also wish to clean their mats with a disinfectant wipe or spray.
--by Ann Deveau
The parish nurse will announce resumption of yoga classes when public health authorities allow it.
Much has changed since my last article of a week ago. We now at this time (March 15th) have over 300 (confirmed and presumptive) cases of the coronavirus in Canada, five of them being in New Brunswick. Last week we had ~30 cases nationally and none in New Brunswick – a much different picture today.
We have been informed that 30-70% of our population will get the coronavirus. Of the 30-70%, many will have mild symptoms of fever, chills and cough and they will recover. It is the more vulnerable in our community whom we must take care of – those over 70 years of age and those who have other diseases such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, other immune system diseases or those receiving cancer therapy. For many of us, we need to practice the hygienic measures in order to protect those we love. It is in the spirit of generosity and love that we should practice these safety measures.
There has been much talk about ‘flattening the curve’ of the instances of the virus. As more and more people get the virus, the curve goes up. Flattening the curve means that by practicing the precautionary measures below, we will be slowing the rate that people will be getting ill. We will be able to reduce the number of those getting ill and spread it out over a longer period of time. This will put less stress on our hospitals, health care providers and the health care system in general. We will be slowing down the rate of infection so that we can better manage to take care of those who are ill.
We have been given much information in the media and by our governments, and day by day the severity of this global pandemic is indeed frightening to read and hear about. But I want to encourage us all that there is much that we can do. We must continue to practice good hygiene including:
handwashing with soap and water frequently
using hand sanitizer when out in public
coughing into our sleeves
staying home if ill
keeping our hands away from our faces, and
social distancing (maintaining two arm’s length in distance from each other).
This latest guidance of social distancing was advised by our New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer this week. We can do this; we can continue to be social with one another but exercise restraint.
Bishop David Edwards has directed that the administration of the common cup at Communion will no longer occur for the next while. We will not be shaking hands during the passing of the Peace. We can do all these things with ease and even with humour. We are a people of love and hope, and we will get through this with each other.
we MUST practice the hygiene measures
By now you should have read the message from the Dean informing you of the cancellation of all gatherings for our Cathedral members, except for worship. A group of us aka Virus Committee met on Saturday to prayerfully consider what we as a faith community should do with the guidance offered to us by our provincial and national experts and our government leaders; the direction and information given by Dean Hall is a result of that meeting.
For now we have decided to keep our Worship services open. It is important to us that those who feel comfortable and well should be able to pray and worship together. But if we are to do this, we MUST practice the hygiene measures – good handwashing, use of sanitizers in the Cathedral and maintaining social distance, not only side to side but front and back i.e. sitting several pews apart.
Our meetings, gatherings, Lenten studies have been cancelled. But we can still keep a Holy Lent on our own, through teleconference, phone conversations, by email and on our Cathedral website listening to the podcasts of our worship services. What is the cost of inconvenience now? We should practice good hygiene, social distancing and not attend meetings to prevent the spread of the virus for ourselves but especially for others.
Indeed, our weather is getting warmer. Spring is a week away. Get out and walk in the fresh air, enjoy listening to the birds. We don’t need to stay inside; in fact it is better that we are outside in the fresh air. This gives us an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the country in which we live.
We can do this as a faith community. A friend of mine in England has said to me in the past “God has got you!” and indeed He has us. He is right there beside us, walking along, and carrying us when needed. He gives us the “peace that passes all understanding.” He also tells us to “Be not afraid.” We are blessed to live in this country of Canada, with excellent health care. We may grumble about it on occasion, but we are blessed.
A parish nurse colleague, Cleo Cyr, sent me a card this past year with the following verses:
There is a Warrior protecting you... a Shepherd directing you... a Saviour keeping you... a Priest blessing you... a Father loving you! Roy Lessin
Walk in His victory, trust in His care,lean on His strength, and live in His love.
Just a few words on the coronavirus for our Cathedral community. There has been much hype in the media, and more each day as the coronavirus spreads in many countries around the world. In Canada, we have not had the high number of cases that are occurring in other countries, in part due to the size of our population and to the number of people who travel.
Health Canada reports that the risk to Canadians is low; to date there have not been any cases reported in New Brunswick. But we still should be mindful to practice good hygiene as the spread of the virus is in its early stages here in Canada at this point.
I would like to remind us of the simple and safe measures which we can use to prevent the spread of this virus. These are the same health and safety measures which were put in place when we experienced the SARS epidemic in 2002 and 2003, and those which we have used ever since that time during our Cathedral worship and activities.
Listen to Kathleen Snow during 2 Minutes for Ministry 08 March 2020
In short, the best prevention is to wash your hands, and keep them away from your face.
Symptoms
The Health Canada website states that the symptoms of the coronavirus are similar to a cold or flu. They may take up to 14 days to appear (incubation period) and may include fever, cough, difficulty breathing and may lead to pneumonia.
How is it spread?
According the Health Canada, current evidence suggests that person-to-person spread occurs when there is close personal contact:
through respiratory droplets when you cough or sneeze
touching or shaking hands, or
touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
In short, the best prevention is to wash your hands, and keep them away from your face.
How can we protect ourselves and others?
Again, Health Canada recommends that we can protect ourselves by
washing our hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing Happy Birthday song x 2)
avoiding touching our eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
avoiding close contact with people who are ill
coughing or sneezing into our sleeves rather than our hands, and
by staying home from work, worship activities, and social activities if we are ill to avoid spreading the illness to others.
the best prevention is to wash your hands, and keep them away from your face
What about worship?
As mentioned above, we have been implementing health and safety precautions for a number of years now since the SARS epidemic.
Use of Hand Sanitizers
You will note in the Cathedral that we have hand sanitizers at the Chancel steps, as well as at both front centre-aisle pews. They are in the Sacristy for use, in the Choir room, and at the entrance of both the West and South doors of the Cathedral.
Holy Communion
The clergy and other eucharistic administrators use hand sanitizers prior to administering the Sacrament. Many communicants use the sanitizers as they prepare to make Communion. Intinction (dipping the host in the wine) by the communicant is strongly discouraged and prevented whenever possible. Clergy will administer the host by intiction when requested (a word or other gesture works well). We continue this for all who do not wish to share the common cup. Taking only the host (bread) is another option.
The Sharing of the Peace
It is recommended that we be sensitive to each other’s wishes in the sharing the Peace. If parishioners are not comfortable at this time with hand-shaking, then we need to respect their wishes. We have had no direction at this time from our diocese or the national church regarding whether or not to shake hands at the time of Peace. A simple nod of the head and the words of peace may suffice for those who would prefer not to shake hands.
In short, the best prevention is to wash your hands, and keep them away from your face.
It is really all about common sense: washing our hands, not touching our face, coughing into our sleeves, and staying home if we are ill. We are a community of care and a community of faith; we do care deeply about one another. Let us practice these hygienic measures to keep us all well so that we can continue to be a healthy community, worshiping and growing together in Christ.
Certification in Parish Nursing or willingness to complete the same
