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WELLNESS MATTERS
Wellness is more than health. “Historically both the church and medicine have paid much more attention to healing than to the prevention of illness through promoting wellness.” Droege (1.) also reminds us of the danger of preoccupation with health becoming a form of idolatry and a type of death denial. Wellness is more than the absence of pain or illness. It is an attitude toward life that allows us to embrace what it is like to feel well, full of energy that enables us to lean into life eagerly to meet whatever challenges await us. It is spiritual. It is fullness of life. It is wholeness, an integration of body, mind and spirit.
Mission Statement
The Cathedral Health and Wellness Ministry serves the people of St. Paul’s Cathedral and its community, supporting health and wellness under the guidance and work of the Cathedral Health and Wellness Cabinet and the Cathedral Nurse.
Vision Statement
The Health and Wellness Ministry advocates, promotes and strengthens integrative wellness programs.
Guiding Principles
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God works with us for well-being and wholeness.
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A whole person strengthens the whole community.
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Spiritual centeredness, companionship and a sense of belonging help to motivate people towards maintenance of wellness.
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This is not a one-person ministry. It calls for the support and direction of a Health and Wellness Cabinet or committee.
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Wellness awareness integrated with personal spirituality. Pastoral presence is our most important resource.
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Continued availability of educational and training offerings is required for professional delivery of services.
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People of the Cathedral community are our focus.
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As part of the Cathedral outreach, this ministry is inclusive, “recognizing the dignity of every human being, serving Christ in all persons.” (2.)
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We do not support commercial health-related for-profit programs or related products. There are no fees/charges for any ministry. (3.)
Cathedral Health Cabinet
The Cathedral has had a Health and Wellness Cabinet since 1999. A Health Cabinet assures on-going support for a parish Health and Wellness ministry with a Cathedral Nurse.
The following are some of the accomplishments, goals and objectives of our Health and Wellness Cabinet:
Annual flu clinics (with as many as 218
shots provided one Sunday); monthly
Blood pressure screenings with confidential records; a “Health Fair” event; twice interviewing for hire of a paid part-time Cathedral Nurse; obtaining, mounting and setting-up training for use of an AED (defibrillator); advocating wellness through regularly scheduled preventative educational workshops and forums on topics such as aging and facing death (Advanced Medical Directives), diabetes, arthritis, strokes, HIV and other major illnesses and addiction. We support ministries such as “Listening Hearts,” “Healing Touch” and “Cathedral Visitors.”
Chris Harris, President
A Health Cabinet or Committee is strongly recommended (4.) in order to provide on-going support for a faith community’s Health and Wellness Ministry and the Cathedral Nurse.
The current Health Cabinet includes a physical therapist, nurses, an attorney,
physician, psychologist and clergy.
 Our Cathedral Nurse Nancy (“Nan”) Slavin,
RN, BSN, MS, MA, has been our “Parish Nurse” (5.) since September, 2005. The Cathedral recognizes our Cathedral Nurse as a member of the staff. She attends weekly staff meetings, monthly Pastoral Care Committee with clergy, as well as bi-monthly meetings of the Cathedral Health Cabinet. She is more than “a nurse at the church.” Nan is trained and experienced to address the spiritual element of those she visits and recognizes her work as a calling to a ministry. She is trained as a Pastoral Counselor, participating in our San Diego Pastoral Counseling Center at the Cathedral.
Her part-time position as Cathedral Nurse is currently underwritten by a grant. Her work and feedback has been continually praised by our clergy and staff, assuring that clergy keep abreast of pastoral needs in the Cathedral community.
The Cathedral Nurse has obtained speakers for topics such as “Depression,” “Home Safety,” “Aging,” “Medicare Part D Answers,” and “Disaster Preparedness.” She has set-up renewal training for CPR and the use of the Cathedral’s AED (defibrillator) for staff, ushers and others qualified. Her knowledge of community resources has been of tremendous value to staff and clergy.
Nan can be reached at the Cathedral by calling 619-298-7261 ext. 359.
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The Healing Presence, Thomas A. Droege, Ph.D.
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Book of Common Prayer, Baptismal Covenant, p. 305.
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Where services are provided by outside healthcare resources, there may be not-for-profit fees, i.e., flu vaccine, AED/CPR Training, Diocesan “Avoidance of Misconduct” seminars.
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The Parish Nurse, The Rev. Granger E. Westburg,
Ch. III. International Parish Nurse Resource Ctr.
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Parish Nurses are recognized by the American Nurses Assn. They are now referred to as the more all-faith inclusive title of “Faith Community Nurse” by the latest Scopes and Standards for the Faith Community Nursing, ANA, 2005)
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