Pastor Chris Maus of St. Daniel Church in Clarkston recently quit smoking after struggling with the habit on and off for years.
‘I came to Clarkston in 2004 and wanted to quit smoking? I talked to the nurses and they helped me with quitting. After I stopped, I started to gain weight, but they helped me with nutrition and working out,? said Maus.
Maus? efforts came about partly due to the work of nurses in the parish who reflect a trend of churches aiding their members attain better health.
As part of this effort, St. Daniel Church is hosting Health Fair 2005 on Nov. 6 from 8 a.m. ? 12:30 p.m. in the Cushing Center. The event is open to the public.
‘Healing is a big part of Jesus? ministry and it makes sense that churches carry out that mission,? said Maus.
Patti Moore, a member of St. Daniel and a Parish Nurse Coordinator at St. Joseph’s in Pontiac, says church is an ideal setting for health education because people are comfortable.
‘The future of healthcare education is through the schools and churches,? said Moore. ‘We’re able to show (parishioners) where to go for health resources.?
Moore said a Parish Nurse Council was formed about nine years ago to promote health and wellness programs at St. Daniel. The council, made up of volunteer registered nurses from the parish, provides health awareness events like monthly blood pressure screenings and advice on advanced directives.
‘It’s a great way to reach people,? said Moore.
Moore credited the efforts of well known Lutheran Pastor Granger Westberg, who helped start the promotion of faith community nursing in Chicago in the 1980’s. According to a Web site for the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, Westberg was a pioneer whose work was based on beliefs that ‘medicine transcends the physical because true healing involves the body, soul and mind.?
‘The nurses take a holistic approach to health? when you seek to heal someone, you have to pay attention not just to the physical but the mental and spiritual,? said Maus.
The Health Fair features free health screenings, ‘Ask the Doctor,? ‘Ask the Pharmacist,? flu and pneumonia vaccines (for a nominal charge), free chair messages, a spokesperson about Medicare changes, and a children’s corner sponsored by Children’s Hospital of Michigan to focus on safety and health issues for kids.
Moore highlighted the Medicare presentation as important to many area residents. A presenter for the Area Agency on Aging 1-B will discuss new drug benefits and key issues including: when enrollment starts, financial costs, effects of the new coverage, plan options and local assistance.
‘With older adults, it’s been a challenge trying to understand the new Medicare plan? if you talk to seniors today, it’s on their mind,? said Director of Communications with AAA1-B Jenny Jarvis.
Health Fair 2005 is open to the public and is free except for vaccination charges. The event includes drawings for free door prizes and refreshments provided by Whole Foods.
St. Daniel Church is located at 7010 Valley Park Drive. For more information call 248-625-4580.