PARISH NURSE/ HEALTH MINISTRY:

     Our Parish Nurse/ Health Ministry program here at Freedom Plains Presbyterian
  Church places emphasis on the mind, body, spirit wellness of the congregation.
  My office is a center for health monitoring, personal health education, emotional
  and spiritual support. As parish nurse, I act as health counselor and educator,
  advocate for the congregation, and communication link with community health services
  to provide referrals. Health education brings blood pressure screenings, mini health
  classes, health-topic lending library, mind, body, spirit bulletin boards and Herald
  articles. As part of the pastoral care team, I make visits to hospitals, nursing
  homes, and funeral parlors to support and pray with you and your loved ones.

  Bonnie Biskup, R.N., B.S.N. Parish Nurse, Anne Cole R.N. Parish Nurse.


      

STEWARDSHIP CORNER:

  On being a Good Steward 
 
  "Stewardship is the responsive practice of Christians making proper use of the 
  gifts God has given them for the sake of God's work in the world."  This is a 
  key theme of a paper approved by the 213th General Assembly entitled 
  "Stewardship Theology 2001".  The paper, in its entirety, is available at the 
  Presbyterian Church USA website:  http://www.pcusa.org.  

  The following is a summary of some ideas of what it means to be a good steward, 
  as discussed in this paper.  These ideas arise from the Bible and the work of 
  well respected theologians.

  First of all, a steward recognizes that "the earth is the Lord's and all that 
  is in it."  (Psalm 24:1-2).  A steward must realize that he/she also belongs 
  to the Lord.  Although stewards are given much freedom, they are not self-ruling.  
  God, the owner, will review their work.

  Further, stewards are not merely caretakers.  They are expected to make 
  improvements.  Stewards do not give because they happen to have enough to 
  give. "Stewards have received what they have for the very purpose of giving 
  it away." 

  The work of the steward should reflect the character and purposes of the owner. 
  Therefore, "our stewardship should bear witness to the love, mercy and grace 
  of the triune God."   In our work as stewards, spiritual practice, including 
  praying, reading the Scriptures, participating in worship and the sacraments, 
  is required to stay attune with God's goals.

  As you can see, being a good steward is not a simple task!  Fortunately, we 
  have God as our guide.  Let us remember to seek His guidance continually.