Geri Long, Parish Nurse

Monthly healing services lead worshipers to rely on the strength and grace of God

A parish nurse is a professional member of the ministerial team who combines professional nursing expertise with theological concepts to facilitate the healing mission of the church.

First Lutheran has joined thousands of other congregations that are involved in healing ministry. Through this ministry, we are:

Reclaiming an old tradition of the church to go out and “proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal” (Luke 9:2).
Striving to help each other to realize an abundant life, as promised to all believers in Christ (John 10:10).
Reaffirming and supporting the journey toward wholeness by acknowledging the interrelationship of the body, mind, and spirit.

The mission of First Lutheran Church is to be “a community of faith reaching out in the name of Jesus Christ.” Our parish nurse ministry is one example of how we, as a congregation, are reaching out to others to help meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Funding for the parish nurse ministry of First Lutheran Church is provided by First Lutheran Foundation, Inc.

Duties of the Parish Nurse

Health Educator

Provides education for all ages through health screenings, health presentations for Sunday School and Preschool children, and health-related information in worship bulletins and newsletter articles.
Provides forums and classes on health-related topics such as advance directives, CPR, and training for babysitters.

Personal Health Counselor

Discusses health concerns with those seeking guidance and information.
Provides home, hospital, and nursing home visits.
Offers presence and prayer during times of crisis and celebration.

Coordinator and Teacher of Volunteers

Encourages congregational members with health care expertise to offer their gifts in the service of the church. For example, the parish nurse coordinates other nurses from our congregation to assist with monthly blood pressure screenings.
Assists in supporting congregational members engaged in caring ministries. Our parish nurse oversees the Deacon Program where lay volunteers distribute Holy Communion to our nursing home residents and homebound.

Health Resources Liaison

Assists people in using resources that are available within our church and in the community. The parish nurse may assist in obtaining Meals-on-Wheels, arranging a ride to a worship service, or making a referral to a Deacon for Holy Communion distribution. For a young family, the parish nurse may make referrals to help them meet their health care and nutritional needs.

About Our Parish Nurse

Geri Long is the parish nurse at First Lutheran Church. Geri Long is a registered nurse who has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Her work experience includes providing nursing care in hospitals and clinics. She taught in the nursing program at Chippewa Valley Technical College and was a faculty member in the College of Nursing at UW-Eau Claire for more than nine years. She is a graduate of the Parish Nurse Preparation Institute at Marquette University in Milwaukee and is a charter member of the Chippewa Valley Parish Nurse Network.

Geri Long can be reached by calling the church office (832-8321) during the week, or stop by her office on Sunday mornings during her regularly scheduled hours (found in each Sunday’s worship bulletin).

Email Geri at glong@first-lutheran.org.