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Margaret Hiett Williams, RN
mhiettwilliams@hotmail.com
P.O. Box 1499
Stanton, Texas 79782-1499
Primary Phone: 432.270.2144
Cell: 432.270.2144 |
Margaret Hiett Williams, R.N., MEd, is Regional Representative from National Episcopal Health Ministries to Province VII, Affiliate Faculty of the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, and Director of Health Ministries-Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas.
A resolution will be presented at the next General convention in Anaheim in 2009 to support the establishment of a Health
Ministry in every Episcopal congregation in the United States. It is the goal of National Episcopal Health Ministries
(www.episcopalhealthministries.org)
to have a functioning Health Ministry
Network in each of the provinces of the Episcopal Church. This would help with the facilitation of the resolution. Support
from the Medical Trust has been given and it is expected that the resolution will pass.
In 2007, National Episcopal Health Ministries appointed Margaret Hiett Williams, RN, FCN to explore the form-ation of a Health Ministry Network for Province VII. While most Health Ministers are Registered Nurses engaged in the practice of parish nursing, many Health Ministries in congregations are led by non-nurses with Registered Nurses for backup in situations that require a skilled practitioner. Province VII is uniquely situated to assist with facilitation of this
endeavor.
Since her appointment Mrs. Williams had met with representatives of the following dioceses at their request: Dallas, Arkansas, Fort Worth, Rio Grande, Oklahoma, Northwest Texas, West Texas, Texas. These individuals have expressed interest in forming a Network within the existing framework of Province VII.
In 2008, 16 representatives from five Province VII Dioceses convened in Slaton, TX, to take a course designed by the
International Parish Nurse Resource Center (www.parishnurses.org) to become either commissioned Parish Nurses or Commissioned Health Ministers in the Episcopal Church. Companies that insure
our parishes are concerned that the Health Ministers and Parish Nurses working in congregations have the
best preparation possible for the work. Research by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation (www.rwjf.org) supports the contention that churches with Health Ministries have a higher level of wellness
than those without.
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General Convention Passes
Health Care Resolution |
| Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention urges the congregations of The Episcopal Church, which have not already done so, to explore and implement health ministry as an organizing concept or vital component of outreach and pastoral care of the congregations by 2012; and be it further Resolved, That the General Convention encourages congregations to raise awareness of health ministries and promote the understanding that health includes body, mind and spirit. dioceses and provinces. NEHM is a valuable resource for those seeking assistance in the development of faith ministries. |
EXPLANATION
Health ministries play a unique and critical role in facilitating the overall health of clergy, staff and congregation. Health ministry looks different from congregation to congregation, reflecting the unique needs, interests and resources of the faith community. National Episcopal Health Ministries (NEHM) educates leaders for Episcopal health ministry and parish nursing, supports those engaged in health ministry in Episcopal congregations and provides resources to local congregations, dioceses and provinces. NEHM is a valuable resource for those seeking assistance in the development of faith ministries. More |
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Our vision
...that every Episcopal congregation becomes a vibrant, caring place of health and wholeness.
Our mission
...to promote health ministry in Episcopal congregations, assisting them to reclaim the Gospel imperative of health and wholeness. |
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Roles of the Parish Nurse
* Integrator of Faith and Health - Works to improve health of body, mind, spirit, community and creation.
* Health Educator - Provides opportunities to learn about health issues.
* Health Counselor - Discusses health concerns, emphasizing early response to problems and encouraging healthy lifestyles.
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* Referral Advisor - Provides referral to healthcare and social services.
* Health Advocate - Speaks out to help others obtain needed health services.
* Developer of Support Groups - Facilitates support groups for the community.
* Volunteer Coordinator - Coordinates volunteers who help those in need.
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Just Released |
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Signs of a new awakening to the Church's role in health and wholeness are everywhere - from parish nurses to health clinics to congregations working fervently for health care finance reform. Across the US and around the globe, faith communities are forming a vision of community and healing that can offer sustenance and hope to all. This book explores diverse themes such as outreach, and care of neighbor through the lens of health ministry. It introduces programmatic ideas for working with differing groups, such as teenagers, caregivers, and the dying. Each chapter includes parish nursing and health ministry stories chosen from settings across the United States and Canada.
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Health Ministries: A Primer for Clergy and Congregations JUST RELEASED!
Deborah L. Patterson, The Pilgrim Press, 2008
ISBN: 0829817913 |
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