This summer, I celebrated my 20th year of nursing! Looking back over the years, beginning on a medical-surgical unit, then community health nursing, caring for adults with developmental disabilities and school nursing, I remember feeling well equipped and skilled to begin my journey as a Parish Nurse. The joys and heartaches that I have experienced serving as a Parish Nurse are very well explained in Dr. Bruce Hartung’s book “Holding up The Prophet’s Hand”. One of my favorite excerpts from this book about supporting church workers below: 

“ ...I see church workers at an increased risk for sadness, despair, stress, frustration, cynicism, anger and disappointment... Day by day, these workers deal with the crises of others -unemployment, financial distress, personal illnesses and the death of loved ones...Stress often increases when one’s vocation asks the worker to connect the challenging human experience with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Church workers most often have personal relationships with those they serve. Unlike counselors, whose clients come and go, or firefighters, who meet the emergency needs and then leave the scene, church workers walk closely with those they serve in day-by-day, ongoing relationships.(Hartung 8,9)

As church workers of all kinds, we need to be intentional about supporting one another. Through this intentional support, we can vastly improve the health of our congregations and our pastors, and therefore enable us to be better equipped at sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we serve. Join us on Saturday, November 9th from 9am-3pm, as we gather together as church workers, elders, pastors, parish nurses, women’s ministry leaders, educators and church staff (and all types of church workers) for a seminar on “Holding Up The Prophet’s Hand” hosted by Dr. Bruce Hartung and sponsored by the NJ District LCMS and the Ministerial Health Committee. Location: Somerset Hill Lutheran Church, Basking Ridge, NJ. 

All details are included in the flier below, and on the Grapevine Newsletter. 

In His joy and service, 
Colleen Bottcher RN, BSN, FCN 
NJ District Parish Nurse Rep
Adult Ministries & The Ministerial Health Committee

I began guiding High School Bible Study two years ago at Our Savior Lutheran Church, in Fair Lawn, NJ. 

​I remember feeling this was a daunting task, that I prayed about for months, and really wanted to do a great job imparting wisdom and guidance to our High Schoolers, through the study of God’s Word. Thanks be to God, we were off to a great start! Often, the youth taught me more than I would teach them, and each week the Holy Spirit led us in a beautiful study of His word. 

During my second year of leading our weekly High School Bible Study, a few weeks into the Fall, our High Schoolers began to have many, many questions. They wondered and inquired about sharing their faith with friends, they prayed for their teachers who were struggling with health or family concerns. They wondered aloud about how they would ever pick a college, or how they would pick their major in college. Some wondered whether college was the right path for them. I immediately began to pray for their needs, and asked God to help me answer all of their questions, or at the very least, guide them as best I could. 

A few weeks passed, and God presented a solution! What if I asked the congregation to stop by High School Bible Study, during the last 30 minutes of our study each week, and perhaps share their own personal journey through High School and either college or the work force, and how God had guided them? I submitted a little blurb to our weekly bulletin, asking for volunteers to come share with our High Schoolers. 

Within weeks, we had so many volunteers come forward, that each week for the remainder of Winter and Spring was filled with excited OSLC church members, ready to share their own personal journey with our High Schoolers, and how their faith guided them. Praise God! 

What I didn’t anticipate was how much wisdom, honesty, and diverse stories our church members had to share, and how much thought our High Schoolers would put into preparing the best questions to ask their guest speakers each week. So many faith stories touched on high school and college or trade school years.  Our guest speakers were open and honest to include regrets, successes, failures (no true failures, we learn from all of our decisions), determination, joys, and mental health struggles. Throughout all of these topics, God’s love weaved through their journey’s and their faith strengthened with each challenge. 

Thank you to our guest speakers, which included many educators (including President Gewecke’s daughter Amy), NBA management, mental health clinicians, tradesmen, guidance counselors, a high school vice principal, and sports announcers to name a few! Thanks be to God for sharing your faith story with our youth! 

Perhaps your congregation will offer the same program? Or perhaps your congregation has already done a similar sharing of faith stories! Please email me if you are willing to share! 


                    Psalm 3:13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding. 

In His joy, 

Colleen Bottcher RN, BSN, FCN 
NJ District LCMS Parish Nurse 
biocolleen@yahoo.com

2 Timothy 1:7    For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control. 

        Over the last ten years of serving as a Parish Nurse, one of the most frequent topics that congregation members, neighbors, friends, family, and youth have approached me about are Mental Health topics. 

      In recent years, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fair Lawn, our Health Ministry program began a Project Connect Ministry. Many LCMS congregations that I have visited over the years also offer this ministry to their congregation and community. Project Connect is a wonderful resource for your congregation and community, providing booklets that individuals can take confidentially, covering a wide variety of mental health, spiritual health and physical wellness topics, all created by Lutheran Hour Ministries. Project Connect brings hope to your community through an indispensable, on-site, booklet ministry resource that uses a display of pocket-sized, topical booklets to promote outreach. There are also some booklets for equipping your congregation's members to share their faith. Each of the more than 50 booklets available is written from a Christian perspective and addresses a variety of topics, from forgiveness and the after-life to depression and anger management. Many have been translated into Spanish too. When placed in a church narthex or fellowship hall, these booklets are available for visitors on their time, giving them resources when they need them. Each booklet has space to include your church's information -- complete with worship times if needed and address directions. (Lutheran Hour Ministries)

     At Our Savior Lutheran Church Fair Lawn, we place the booklets by one of our entrances, and each booklet is labeled with our church contact information, in case anyone wants to talk further with Pastor Taylor or a church worker. Lutheran Hour Ministries recently added several booklets focused on mental health topics. We recently added a new booklet Journey Through Anxiety, which is a 53 page in depth booklet detailing scripture, true stories, and focused interventions designed to address anxiety and healing. I am often told by a church member that they have taken a booklet to share with a co-worker or neighbor. Praise God! 

     In Northern NJ, there are many Christian Counseling centers, some I have listed below. I would love to hear from you if you can recommend a Lutheran counselor, or a Christian counselor that you highly recommend. Anything you share with me will be held in confidence. I hope to build a database of recommended mental health clinicians in all regions of New Jersey. 


Resources: 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 
Call or Text 988 
You can also still use the former hotline number for a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts: 
1-800-273-TALK (8255) 

1. Christian Health ~ LiveWell Counseling  Wyckoff, NJ 
201-848-5200 
Christian counseling for anxiety, depression, mood disorder, psychiatric and medication assessment, panic disorder, parenting, bereavement, and addiction counseling and more. 

2. Light the Way Counseling Center, LLC 
Faith based counseling in Midland Park, NJ 
201-444-8103

3. Lutheran Counseling Center
132 Jefferson Ave Mineola, NY. 11501
800-317-1173 
(Most counselors are licensed to counsel only in NY, however there are some who hold a NJ license as well) 

In His joy and service, 

Colleen Bottcher RN, BSN, FCN 
NJ District LCMS Parish Nurse 
cell# 201-723-9836 
email: biocolleen@yahoo.com 

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the United States. Every March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month spotlights this disease and inspires more people to get screened. Two reasons why getting screened matters: 

Screening can find the warning signs of colon and rectal cancer, letting doctors take action to prevent the disease. 

Screening can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective. 

People should start getting screened regularly at age 45. However, you may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if you have inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, or a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome). If you think any of these things is true for you, ask your doctor when and how often you should be tested.

Common questions people may have: 

1. The only screening test for colorectal cancer is colonoscopy?

The correct answer is:

False

Adults at average risk have several types of screening test options for colorectal cancer, including some that can be done at home. Learn about all of the screening test options and talk to your doctor about which is right for you. The best test is the one you do!

2. If you don’t have any symptoms, it means you don’t have colorectal cancer.
 
The correct answer is:

False

Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially early on. But screening can find polyps and colorectal cancer even before symptoms appear. That’s why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important.
 
What can you do as a congregation? 

Hang fliers and put reminders in your church bulletin about Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. 
Encourage your loved ones and congregation members to see their physicians and ask about appropriate screenings. 
Invite your local hospital speakers bureau for a seminar on Colorectal Cancer Awareness. 
Some studies suggest that people may reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer by increasing physical activity, keeping a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco.

Call for your screening appointment today! 

In His joy and service, 

Colleen Bottcher RN, BSN, FCN 
NJ District LCMS Parish Nurse 

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. 

February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death of Americans, taking the lives of 2,200 people each day. In addition, 103 million adults have high blood pressure and 6.5 million are living with heart failure. While genetic factors do play a part in cardiovascular disease, the good news is 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases may be preventable with education and action. Simple lifestyle changes can make a big impact when it comes to heart health. 

Show your heart some love with these 8 tips.

1. Stop smoking
Quitting smoking is the best thing that can be done for the heart and for overall health. Smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death in the United States, and smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including atherosclerosis, or the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries. When combined with other heart disease risk factors, smoking increases the risks associated with those factors. Quitting is never easy, but there are lots of helpful resources for those looking to start.

2. Know your numbers
Maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure and total cholesterol play a significant role in maintaining a healthy heart. While there are standard guidelines for blood pressure and cholesterol, ideal weight goals are individual to each person. A physician can help determine an appropriate goal weight based on additional factors such as age and height.

3. Screen for diabetes
Untreated diabetes can lead to heart disease, among many other complications. Diabetes can be easily detected through a simple blood test and managed a variety of ways under the care of a physician.

4. Get active
Heart pumping physical activity not only helps to prevent cardiovascular disease but can also improve overall mental and physical health. The American Heart Association recommends five 30 minute moderate exercise sessions each week. While this may seem daunting, it is important to note that these sessions can be broken up into two or three 10 or 15-minute segments throughout the day. Walking, jogging, biking and swimming are all great forms of exercise. It is important to remember that something is always better than nothing. Opting to take the stairs and parking farther back in the parking lot are great ways to squeeze in activity when the time is short.

5. Build some muscle
Strength training compliments cardiovascular exercise by toning muscles and burning fat. In addition, proper strength training can improve daily functional movements, decreasing the chance of injury. The American Heart Association recommends getting in two days of moderate to high-intensity strength training each week.

6. Eat smart
A healthy diet full of heart-smart foods is essential to a healthy heart and lifestyle. Salmon, nuts, berries, and oats are just a few of the heart “superfoods” that may help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Dark chocolate is also on the list and is a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth (in moderation).

7. Limit junk
To reap the full benefits of a heart-healthy diet, it’s important to limit intake of nutrient-poor junk foods. Added sugars, saturated fat and excessive sodium can all negatively impact heart health, as well as overall physical health. These foods, when eaten in excess, can cause weight gain, raise blood pressure and clog arteries, which are all risk factors for heart disease.

8. Stress less
Stress increases cortisol, which leads to weight gain, a key risk factor for heart disease. In addition, stress can lead to other unhealthy habits, making it harder to stick to a heart-healthy program. Stress can also decrease overall happiness and increase the risk for anxiety and depression. Many of the items on this list can also help with reducing stress, in addition to practicing positive self-talk and incorporating mindfulness meditation breaks throughout the day. (American Heart Association) 

February is a great time to try a new heart healthy activity in your congregation. There are many programs a congregation can develop and implement that encourage healthy lifestyle changes, while supporting one another, which can lead to life saving changes in your health. A few ideas for Adult Ministries and Congregational Health Ministries in your congregation include: 

1. Hosting a weekly walking group, or encourage church members to walk in pairs. This increases accountability, and also helps make those daily walks much more fun! 
2. Host a blood pressure screening at your church! Hypertension is painless, insidious, and often goes undetected for years. Blood pressure screenings quickly detect hypertension, and can encourage individuals to follow-up with their PCP or Cardiologist. 
3. Pick a Sunday in February to wear red, to highlight heart health! 
4. Host a guest speaker from your local hospital to speak about heart health, or nutrition! Invite families and your community members to attend!
5. Host a blood drive for your town! 
6. Offer heart healthy snacks during meetings, events, and Bible Studies, instead of the typical bagels, pastries and high carbohydrate offerings. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to see how I can help! We would love to hear how your congregation promotes heart health! 

In His joy and service, 

Colleen Bottcher RN, BSN, FCN 
NJ District Parish Nurse 
email: biocolleen@yahoo.com 

Psalms 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

One of the greatest joys I have serving as a Parish Nurse, is when God provides an opportunity to share His love through the gift of a prayer shawl. This congregational ministry provides a tangible reminder of God’s love, healing, comfort, and support to a person who may be in the midst of loss, illness, or even joy. This ministry has been in place for many years at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Fair Lawn, long before I became a Parish Nurse. So many congregations I meet with tell me about their own Prayer Shawl Ministries as well. This month, I wanted to share just some of the prayer shawl ministry ideas that have been shared with me over the last ten years! Perhaps God is leading your congregation to develop or implement a prayer shawl ministry as well.
​
What is a prayer shawl ministry?
A prayer shawl ministry is led by volunteer knitters and crocheters, turning yarn into wraps, shawls, or blankets that are interwoven with prayers. Those who receive these handmade expressions of love will have a tangible reminder of God’s love for them. Once a group of prayer shawls have been created, sometimes they are given a special blessing by the pastor, before they are delivered.

How can someone get involved in a prayer shawl ministry?
There are four ways to support a congregational prayer shawl ministry.
1. You can knit or crochet a prayer shawl.
2. You can support the ministry with a small donation to help purchase the yarn.
3. You can pray for the ministry.
4. You can help by delivering a prayer shawl to someone in need.

Who might benefit from a prayer shawl?
Prayer shawls can be a comfort to new moms, individuals grieving, those serving in the military, those facing an illness or recovering from surgery, individuals in long term care settings, individuals struggling with mental health concerns, and for infants and families of premature babies. There are many other reasons why a
prayer shawl could be given!

Suggestions for prayer while making a prayer shawl or blanket:

1. Begin with focusing your prayers on Jesus Christ. Thank God for His love and goodness toward the person who will receive the prayer blanket. Thank Jesus for his plan for goodness in this person’s life.
2. Pray for the person receiving the blanket to draw closer to God. Pray for their heart to receive and be open to God’s love, forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ.
3. Thank God for the person as you knit or crochet the shawl. Ask God for His healing and strength for this person.
4. Trust in the Holy Spirit to continue to work through the shawl after it has been delivered. See the love and healing in the prayers that are woven into the shawl. Let the Lord do the work in the person’s life.

Each month this year, Parish Nurse and Adult Ministries hopes to highlight a congregational ministry that you would like to learn more about, or begin in your own congregations. We also welcome your ministry ideas, and input if you currently already lead one of the ministries highlighted. Please email your input and ideas to Colleen Bottcher, Parish Nurse at biocolleen@yahoo.com.

In His joy and service,
Colleen Bottcher RN, BSN, FCN
NJ District Parish Nurse

​“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.” Hebrews 6:10-12.

The demands of caregiving can be exhausting and overwhelming. But there are steps you can take to rein in stress and regain a sense of balance, joy, and hope in your life.

Who is considered a caregiver? 
In simple terms, a caregiver is a person who tends to the needs or concerns of a person with short- or long-term limitations due to illness, injury or disability. Most of us, during our lifetime, will be considered a caregiver at some point. 

What is caregiver burnout?
While caring for a loved one can be very rewarding, it also involves many stressors. And since caregiving is often a long-term challenge, the emotional impact can snowball over time. You may face years or even decades of caregiving responsibilities. It can be particularly disheartening if you feel that you’re in over your head, if there’s no hope that your family member will get better, or if, despite your best efforts, their condition is gradually deteriorating.

If the stress of caregiving is left unchecked, it can take a toll on your health, relationships, and state of mind—eventually leading to burnout, a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. And when you get to that point, both you and the person you’re caring for suffer.

That’s why taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Cultivating your own emotional and physical well-being is just as important as making sure your family member gets to their doctor’s appointment or takes their medication on time. 

Signs and symptoms of caregiver stress and burnout
Learning to recognize the signs of caregiver stress and burnout is important, so you can take immediate action to prevent things from becoming worse and start improving the situation for both you and the person you're caring for.

Common signs and symptoms of caregiver stress:
Anxiety, depression, irritability.
Feeling tired and run down.
Difficulty sleeping.
Overreacting to minor nuisances.
New or worsening health problems.
Trouble concentrating.
Feeling increasingly resentful.
Drinking, smoking, or eating more.
Neglecting responsibilities.
Cutting back on leisure activities.
Common signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout
You have much less energy than you once had.
It seems like you catch every cold or bout of flu that’s going around.
You’re constantly exhausted, even after sleeping or taking a break.
You neglect your own needs, either because you’re too busy or you don’t care anymore.
Your life revolves around caregiving, but it gives you little satisfaction.
You have trouble relaxing, even when help is available.
You’re increasingly impatient and irritable with the person you’re caring for.
You feel helpless and hopeless.

How to cope
While caring for a loved one will never be stress-free, the following tips can help you to lighten the load, avoid the symptoms of caregiver burnout, and find more balance in your life.

Practice acceptance. When faced with the unfairness of a loved one's illness or the burden of caregiving, there's often a need to make sense of the situation and ask “Why?” But you can spend a tremendous amount of energy dwelling on things you can't change and for which there are no clear answers. And at the end of the day, you won't feel any better. Try to avoid the emotional trap of feeling sorry for yourself or searching for someone to blame.

Embrace your caregiving choice. Acknowledge that, despite any resentments or burdens you feel, you have made a conscious choice to provide care. Focus on the positive reasons behind that choice. Perhaps you provide care to repay your parent for the care they gave you growing up. Or maybe it’s because of your values or the example you want to set for your children. These deep, meaningful motivations can help sustain you through difficult times.

Don't let caregiving take over your life. Since it's easier to accept a difficult situation when there are other areas of your life that are rewarding, it's important not to let caregiving take over your whole existence. Invest in things that give you meaning and purpose whether it's your family, church, a favorite hobby, or your career.

Focus on the things you can control. You can’t wish for more hours in the day or force your brother to help out more. Rather than stressing out over things you can’t control, focus on how you choose to react to problems.

Celebrate the small victories. If you start to feel discouraged, remind yourself that all your efforts matter. You don’t have to cure your loved one’s illness to make a difference. Don’t underestimate the importance of making your loved one feel more safe, comfortable, and loved!

Imagine how your loved one would respond if they were healthy. If they weren’t preoccupied with illness or pain (or disabled by dementia), how would your loved one feel about the love and care you’re giving? Remind yourself that the person would express gratitude if they were able.

Talk to a supportive family member, church member or friend. Positive reinforcement doesn’t have to come from the person you’re caring for. When you’re feeling unappreciated, turn to friends and family who will listen to you and acknowledge your efforts.

Ask for caregiving help
Taking on all of the responsibilities of caregiving without regular breaks or assistance is a surefire recipe for caregiver burnout. Don’t try to do it all alone.

What can congregations do?
Congregations can form a meal chain, prayer chain, offer one hour breaks to allow a caregiver to go out, get a cup etc. Respite care is vital to caregiver health.  

Speak up. Don’t expect friends and family members to automatically know what you need or how you’re feeling. Be up front about what’s going on with you and the person that you’re caring for. If you have concerns or thoughts about how to improve the situation, express them, even if you’re unsure of how they’ll be received. Start a dialogue.

Spread the responsibility. Try to get as many family members involved as possible. Even someone who lives far away can help. You may also want to divide up caregiving tasks. One person can take care of medical responsibilities, another with finances and bills, and another with groceries and errands, for example.

Set up a regular check-in. Ask a family member, friend, or volunteer from your church or senior center to call you at a regular time (daily, weekly, or as often as you think you need it). This person can help you spread status updates and coordinate with other family members.

Say “yes” when someone offers assistance. Don’t be shy about accepting help. Let people feel good about supporting you. It’s smart to have a list ready of small tasks that others could easily take care of, such as picking up groceries or driving your loved one to an appointment.

Give yourself a break
As a busy caregiver, leisure time may seem like an impossible luxury. But you owe it to yourself—as well as to the person you’re caring for—to carve it into your schedule. Give yourself permission to rest and to do things that you enjoy on a daily basis. You will be a better caregiver for it.

There’s a difference between being busy and being productive. If you’re not regularly taking time-off to de-stress and recharge your batteries, you’ll end up accomplishing less in the long run. After a break, you should feel more energetic and focused, so you’ll quickly make up for your relaxation time.

Maintain your personal relationships. Don’t let your friendships get lost in the shuffle of caregiving. These relationships will help sustain you and keep you positive. If it’s difficult to leave the house, invite friends over to visit with you over coffee, tea, or dinner.

Share your feelings. The simple act of expressing what you're going through can be very cathartic. Sharing your feelings with family or friends won't make you a burden to others. In fact, most people will be flattered that you trust them enough to confide in them, and it will only strengthen your bond.

Prioritize activities that bring you enjoyment. Make regular time for hobbies that bring you happiness, whether it’s reading, working in the garden, tinkering in your workshop, knitting, playing with the dogs, or watching the game.

Make yourself laugh. Laughter is an excellent antidote to stress—and a little goes a long way. Read a funny book, watch a comedy, or call a friend who makes you laugh. And whenever you can, try to find the humor in everyday situations.

Get out of the house. Seek out friends, family, and respite care providers to step in with caregiving so you can have some time away from the home.

Take care of your own health
Think of your body like a car. With the right fuel and proper maintenance, it will run reliably and well. Neglect its upkeep and it will start to give you trouble. Don’t add to the stress of your caregiving situation with avoidable health woes.

Exercise. When you’re stressed and tired, the last thing you feel like doing is exercising. But you’ll feel better afterwards. Exercise is a powerful stress reliever and mood enhancer. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes on most days—break it up into three 10-minute sessions if that's easier. When you exercise regularly, you’ll also find it boosts your energy level and helps you fight fatigue. Ask a church member to walk with you a few times a week. Pairing up will encourage you to stick with a walking regime. 

Practice a relaxation technique. A daily relaxation or meditation practice can help you relieve stress and boost feelings of joy and well-being. Try yoga, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness meditation. Even a few minutes in the middle of an overwhelming day can help you feel more centered.

Eat well. Nourish your body with fresh fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats such as fish, nuts, and olive oil. Unlike sugar and caffeine—which provide a quick pick-me-up and an even quicker crash—these foods will fuel you with steady energy.

Don’t skimp on sleep. Cutting back on time in bed is counterproductive—at least if your goal is to accomplish more. Most people need more sleep than they think (8 hours is the norm). When you get less, your mood, energy, productivity, and ability to handle stress will suffer.

Join a caregiver support group
A caregiver support group is a great way to share your troubles and find people who are going through similar experiences each day. If you can't leave the house, many online groups are also available. (Melinda Smith, M.A.)

In Christ, 

Colleen Bottcher RN, BSN, FCN 
NJ District LCMS Parish Nurse Rep. 
email: biocolleen@yahoo.com