PARISH NURSE FAREWELL AND RESIGNATION

But it’s really a thank-you. It’s about all of us and the wonderful things we’ve done together! I’m often asked what does a Parish Nurse do? As I thank those who have shared this journey, I’m reminded of the few nurses who do take on this ministry, almost all of us unpaid, who choose to do this as a contribution to our faith communities.

I mentioned in my announcement last Sunday, that after seven years I feel it is time to leave Windermere. But as I said before, this is the time to say thanks for your help. Here are just a few of a rather longer list of good things well done!

·       Assisted Alexa with pastoral care along with the Sunshine Team: Marion Campbell, Jane Clendenning, and Susan Hinchcliffe. Many visits, phone calls and emails.

·       Inaugurated 4 annual seniors’ lunches for the community with help from Turner & Porter, ADDUS, Charlie Monago and our Windermere youth

·       Tiff Youth Film Gala Night with the support of Four Villages youth leader, Cathy Henderson, Jessica Cowan, Michelle De Brouwer, and John Mohler. 

·       2 CPR training sessions and workshops with our new AED machine provided by Michelle De Brouwer, our partner at Swansea School of Dance

·       Bi-weekly food pantry guest visits during COVID supported by my wonderful volunteers, Ariane Baines, Susan Wetheral, Nicole Broadhead, and Neighbours Helping Neighbours. Our food grant and community donations have kept this ministry alive.

·        Thank you to Cec and John Mutton for rebuilding the food pantry.

·       Benevolent fund support to Rev. Alexa where I learned the real meaning of mission and service.

·       Hosted Ontario Parish Nursing AGM with the gracious help of Mardi Tindal, Cheri Di Novo and Rev. Alexa

·       WUC COVID lead with the help from the reopening team

·       Community vaccine navigator in conjunction with Runnymede Health Centre

·       Arranged for Reverend Doctor John Swinton zoom conference with over 100 in attendance. My gratitude to Joseph Zita, Rev. Alexa, and Doug Blackburn

·       Organized 4 mental health workshops at WUC in conjunction with Canadian Mental Health Commission for congregants and community

·       Organized 3 guest workshops for Affirming Ministry with speakers from Rainbow Nursing, Susan Gapka, and Elizabeth Mohler. Thanks you to David Allen for inspiring this.

·       Represented WUC on a Parish Nurse visit to Birmingham UK where I met Rev. Dr. John Swinton, and Rev. Dr. Helen Wordsworth, Parish Nursing UK

·       Health & wellness library to support Jennie Keating’s amazing church library

·       Blood pressure and hand washing clinics for congregants and community

·       Four wonderful years as Messy Church lead with Rev. Alexa, Janet Petrie, Charlie Monago and of course meals by Anne-Shirley Sutherland.

·       Monthly healthy church displays and newsletter submissions

·       New Parish Nursing web page and design. Thank you, Emmeline and Doug Blackburn. It is the envy of other Parish Nurses. 

·       Diaper Box Toronto partnership and the Healthy Moms, Health Babies Program with the Four Villages Community Health Centre

·        Distributed 50  Christmas bags to local womens’ shelter with hep from the McConnell family.

·        On going support of the benevolent fund through the noon hour concerts arranged by George Jardine.

·        Thank you, Doug Tindal and Sarah Doucette, for the contributions given to pantry guests through Stone Soup Network.

·       Initiated prayer shawl ministry. These shawls have provided much comfort. Thanks, you Jane for taking this over sand continuing so well

·       Organized our Easter food drive with the amazing help of Ariane Baines, Nicole Broadhead, Maggie Knauss, and Kate Manson

·       Created a new partnership with our neighbours at ADDUS support group for people with different abilities who provided the food for our seniors’ lunches.

I would be remiss if I did not thank Rev. Alexa for her guidance and teaching me so much about inclusive language.  Adrian for his brilliant music leadership. It gives a new meaning to church life, and my dedicated spear carrier John who allowed me to do all these wonderful things over past seven years.

Lastly, I proudly accepted on your behalf Community Champion awards from both our MP Arif Virani and also MPP Bhutila Karpoche

It has been a joy and privilege to be your Parish Nurse

Be well,

Anne-Marie