Faith Community Nurse Ministry

My name is Joe Dwyer. I am a Faith Community Nurse and serve the congregation at Christ Episcopal Church in Woodbury. This is my story.
 

What is a Faith Community Nurse?

A ministry that directly serves the members of any faith community. Focusing on the intentional care of the spirit, the promotion of health and wellness, and the prevention and minimization of illness within the context of that faith community. 

A Faith Community Nurse (FCN) is an RN specialist who has completed accredited course work through the American Nurses Association (The name change from "church nurse" or "parish nurse" to FCN was made in the 1990's, as more RNs began serving in mosques, synagogues, temples, homeless shelters, etc., as well as Christian faith communities).

My own journey as an FCN started 3 years ago, with a "tap on the shoulder" from the Holy Spirit. I've been an RN since 1980. After retirement in 2020 my wife, Jean, and I moved from Iowa to Minnesota to be with family. 

In April 2022, we joined Christ Episcopal Church in Woodbury. After being lifelong Catholics, we found a faith community here that shared our personal beliefs and filled our hearts and souls with peace and joy. 

In August 2022, I joined our assistant pastor at the home of a parishioner. This person needed some assistance upon returning from a doctor's visit. After helping this parishioner and before leaving, the pastor said a prayer for the three of us. At that moment I felt what I can only describe as the Holy Spirit telling me that I was not ready to retire as an RN - that I should ask about a church nurse. After discerning this calling with Jean, I met with Pastor Anna Doherty. I told her I didn't know what a church nurse did. I never knew anyone who was a church nurse, but I would like to look into it, and,with her approval, become the church nurse for Christ Episcopal Church. 

I started my FCN ministry at Christ Church in January 2023. In January 2024, Jean and I went to St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Richfield, helping to deliver a large number of winter coats that had been donated by Christ Church parishioners. We continued to volunteer there one Saturday a month, helping with their food outreach ministry, Casa Maria. I decided to expand my FCN role to St. Nicholas. With help from their wonderful group of dedicated volunteers and staff, we set up a vaccine clinic earlier this fall for their parishioners and neighbors. It was then, after witnessing first hand the diverse needs of two different Epsicopal congregations, and how the FCN ministry can have an impact, that with Jean's encouragement and the Holy Spirit's guidance, I arrived at this next step: the desire to "plant" FCNs in as many Episcopal churches as possible. 

As with any "planting," this effort must come from the ground up. I am available to talk with any clergy or vestry about this ministry. The more "daylight" I can shed on this role, the more I anticipate it will take root and flourish throughout ECMN.

To the clergy out there: I know you are curious how an FCN ministry may impact your ministry, your workload, or your congregation. Feel free to reach out to Pastor Anna Doherty at Christ Episcopal Church. She has been a mentor and partner as I have continued to grow in this ministry.

Now that I am "un-retired," feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have about the FCN role.

My email address is dwyerjoseph77@gmail.com