Parish Nurse pioneers
By Margaret Payne-Chenard RN, PN
On Nov. 17, after two-and a-half-years of education and practicum, eight New Brunswick registered nurses –– including Nancy Wiggins of St. Margaret's, Fredericton, Isabel Cutler from Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, and Beth Lawson of Trinity Church, Saint John –– received certificates of completion of the basic parish nurse preparation curriculum in a Service of Recognition and Blessing in the chapel of the convent of the Religious Hospitaliers of St. Joseph, Bathurst. Six dedicated and committed health committee members, including Wendy Brien of Christ Church Cathedral, also received certificates.
These women represent various denominations within New Brunswick - 
Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic and the United Church of Canada; and their motto could be “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” (1 Chronicles 28:20)
They took on an enormous task in implementing Parish Nursing in New Brunswick where almost no one has heard of this nursing specialty. They are truly educators, facilitators and promoters of not only health, but of the Parish Nursing Program to clergy and members of congregations where they serve.
The program was sponsored by the New Brunswick Parish Nursing Ministries (NBPNM), an affiliate of Interchurch Health Ministries (ICHM) in partnership with the International Parish Nurse Resource Center (IPNRC).
The parish nurses were told by Dr. Gail Brimbecom, National Education Coordinator of ICHM and others that they are pioneers, that they are making history here in New Brunswick. But if you ask any of the 14 women who received certificates they will affirm that they are only doing what God has asked. They all had their own reasons for taking the course. They were also filled with determination and stamina, because they were required to travel on weekends (anywhere from 450 to 750 kilometers per weekend) to complete the theory segment of the program. The locations were rotated among the home cities of the participating women – Bathurst, Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John – during the fall months in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
To these eight new parish nurses and six health committee members, thank you for responding to Gods call. Thank you for allowing Him to lead you to destinations unknown. It should be noted that some of these nurses have been lead to serve in faith communities other than their own, certainly showing ecumenical diversity. Remember that, with Him and through Him, all things are possible!
To God be the glory!
Margaret Payne-Chenard, RN, PN, is a Parish Nurse in the United Church in Clifton.
* Editors note: Ada Lownds of St. Margaret’s in Fredericton died suddenly last week. She was a nurse by profession and, according to her obituary “discovered a name for the ministry she exercised throughout her married life - Parish Nursing, and she worked to help develop this practice.” It was she who planted the seeds of Parish Nursing in her parish, which in turn introduced the ministry to other Anglican parishes in this diocese.
