FLC Parish Health
PARISH HEALTH MINISTRY MISSION:
OPENING DOORS TO CHRIST BY PROMOTING THE SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF ALL MEMBERS OF FIRST LUTHERAN AND OUR COMMUNITY.
To contact Denise Gaard, Parish Nurse
call: 218-847-5656
email:
Parish Health Ministries
COVID-19 Information
Vaccine Information: From the Minnesota Department of Health 12/9/20
No COVID-19 vaccine has officially been approved yet, but we are anticipating that the FDA will approve two COVID-19 vaccines for use in December. We are ready for the vaccine when it becomes available and we will begin vaccinating as soon as guidance and training are complete for providers.
The COVID-19 vaccine development process has been made more efficient in several ways, but safety and effectiveness have always been key priorities. All of the key safety steps were taken and will continue to be taken.
CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) made recommendations for priority groups who should receive early limited doses. For phase 1a, the first phase, the vaccine will be given to people working in health care settings and people who live in long-term care facilities. For more details, see Minnesota Guidance for Allocating and Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine – Phase 1a (PDF). Since phase 1a is based on employment and place of residence, people eligible for this category will be contacted by their employer or the facility where they live to let them know when vaccine is available to them.
We don’t have final decisions on the rest of the phases yet, but other groups that may get some of the early doses include first responders, essential workers, adults with high-risk medical conditions, and older adults 65+ years of age.
Ultimately, all Minnesotans will have an opportunity to be vaccinated. It is not required or mandated, but it is highly encouraged. By stopping the spread of COVID-19, we can keep businesses, schools, and other venues open. Stopping the spread of COVID-19 gets us closer to the end of the pandemic.
There should be hope for better days to come, but it will take months before we have reached a point when we can stop doing the things we have been doing all year to slow the spread. In the meantime, we will need to be patient a while longer and continue to wear masks, stay 6 feet from others, wash our hands often, and stay home if sick. Visit COVID-19 Vaccine for more information.
Visit health.mn.gov for more information regarding COVID-19.
Visitation Ministry:
Members of this team provide visits to members of FLC who are no longer able to be active in worship and church activities. Due to the coronavirus the team members are calling a group of congregation members occasionally to visit by phone. This has been rewarding for both the team member and the person receiving the call!
If you are interested in joining this team or know of someone who wants a phone visit, please contact Denise at the church office.
Tai Ji Quan
Tai Ji Quan (pronounced tye gee chuwan) transforms the traditional martial arts movements into a therapeutic regimen aimed at improving strength, flexibility, and balance. It has been proven that this class helps those who suffer from diseases such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, vertigo, balance issues and other chronic illnesses. This class is designed to help people at all stages of mobility. The movements can be done standing with stepping, standing behind a chair, or seated in a chair. You will notice the benefits of Tai Ji Quan with any position of doing the movements. Members of previous sessions stated that they really noticed how the class helped not only their balance but their strength and flexibility also. It is a class that you can do at your own pace.
Tia Ji Quan class meets twice a week for 12 weeks.
Unfortunately this class is on hold at this time. Stay tuned for more information.
Health Care Directives/Advance Care Planning
Advance care planning is the process of making decisions about the care you would want to receive if you are unable to speak for yourself. It guides family and healthcare providers to follow your documented preferences for care. If you have questions regarding your health care directive, call Denise at 847-5656. Your decisions matter! Write your health care directive today.
