LUTHERAN |
Region 9 Includes:
Region 9 Calendar
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Directors: |
Nancy Roberts | Vicki J. Carlson |
Welcome to LFCNA - the Lutheran
Faith Community Nurse Association Region 9 web page.
Allow us to introduce ourselves.
Nancy
I have been a RN for 54 years and a Parish Nurse at Christ Lutheran Church in Cape Coral 23 years. The call to Parish Nursing was loud and strong one Sunday as my Pastor placed an ad in our Bulletin for a Parish Nurse. I just knew that was me and over the course of 23 years as Parish Nurse, I have been in a paid position for a period of years as well as in a current non paid model. Serving my congregation and the community has been a very personal journey and has allowed me to work as I needed. I recently retired from a full-time management position as Parish Nurse Manager in a large health care system in Ft. Myers. It was wonderful to be fully immersed in parish nursing in both positions. I have taught the Foundations Course for many years and have found the course to be rewarding each time it is offered and I am involved in mentoring and helping RNs prepare themselves for this ministry of health and wholeness.
Currently, I continue as Region 9 LFCNA director along with my associate, Vicki Carlson who is the Synod Parish Deacon at Peace Lutheran Church in Ft. Myers.
One major challenge is the difficulty to identify where Faith Community Nurses are in other states as Region 9 which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Bahamas. We encourage you to contact us if you are in any of these areas and would like any assistance and/or to connect with you to offer support and a listening ear. I have been a member of LFCNA since its inception and the opportunity to meet and talk with Faith Community Nurses across the United States is an honor.
Blessings on your Faith Community Nurse Ministry Path,
Nancy Roberts, RN, BSN, FCN
Vicki
I served as the former Faith Community Nurse for Peace Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, Florida, an ELCA congregation. I graduated from the Florida Hospital Parish Nurse Institute in September of 2006. I was the Lead Parish Nurse at Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Southport, NC from 2006 until moving back to Fort Myers in August of 2021. I began at Peace Lutheran as FCN on September 20, 2021 and retired in 2023.
I also hold certifications as a Spiritual Director from Haden Institute in NC, as well as certifications as an ELCA Lay Minister and Lay Preacher. I currently serve as a Synod Parish Deacon for Peace Lutheran Church. I also hold a certificate as a Geriatric Care Coordinator.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors for LFCNA as Secretary and look forward to serving for the next two years if elected.
Greetings to our Region 9
Parish/Faith Community Nurses
Nancy and Vicki are in conversation with Florida-Bahamas Synod Bishop Pedro Suarez to begin discussing need to locate existing parish nurses in the Synod. Many have retired, and new nurses are beginning their ministry. The hope is that the Synod will assist in keeping a roster of ELCA Lutheran nurses in the Synod.
We also served at the Florida-Bahamas Synod Annual Assembly in 2023 and presented a workshop on Dementia and its Impact on the Church.
Educational Opportunities
Lee Health Health Classes and Conference information
For questions call: 239-343-5182 (FCN Coordinator)
Cancer Support Group for Spanish Speaking Persons
Spanish Cancer Support Group: Pilar Flores, social worker at Holy Cross Health Centers in Aspen Hill and Silver Spring, is facilitating a virtual cancer support group for Spanish speaking adults who are currently in treatment for cancer. It is held on Teams and it is every 4th Monday from 6:00 - 7:00 PM. Please see attached flyer and promote as appropriate. For more information please contact Pilar Flores at pilar.floresramirez@holycrosshealth.org or 301-754-8583
Flyer in SpanishFort Myers Florida Weekly, July 13, 2022
Larry ANTONUCCIFollow this link for the story of the Parish Nurse Ministry at Lee Memorial and their 25 years of ministry, of serving and caring.
https://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/articles/faith-community-nurses-support-all-aspects-of-health/
10,000 Cups of Joy – Lee Health Ft. Myers Florida