UPMC Mercy
Sister M. Ferdinand Clark Auditorium
1400 Locust Street, Second Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-5144 (Uptown)
As an important educational partner of the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing, a ministry of Church Health, Pittsburgh Mercy is an approved provider of the “Foundations of Faith Community Nursing” course. This four-day, 34-hour preparation curriculum is a hybrid course that includes in-person and online learning. The majority of the course modules are taught in person by our approved faculty. The remaining modules involve related, self-directed, online learning.
This is designed for registered nurses, other health care professionals, and laypersons who are interested in:
Promoting health, wellness, and spirituality in their faith communities
Beginning or growing a visitation ministry
Coordinating volunteers.
Since 2001, we’ve educated and commissioned more than 400 registered nurses as faith community nurses and hundreds of others – including licensed practical nurses, social workers, physicians, and clergy – as health ministers.
The course covers the seven main roles of the faith community nurse:
Coordinator of volunteers
Developer of support groups
Health advocate
Health counselor
Health educator
Integrator of faith and health
Resource and referral agent.
The course modules include:
Accessing resources
Advocacy
Assessment
Beginning your ministry
Behavioral health (mental health and addiction)
Care coordination
Communication and collaboration
Documenting practice
Ethics
Family violence
Health, healing, and wholeness
Health promotion
History and philosophy of faith community nursing and health ministry
Legal aspects
Prayer
Self-care
Spiritual care
Suffering, grief, and loss.
Course modules are taught by qualified faith community nurse educators and subject matter experts in the respective fields of practice.
Registered nurses who complete the course in its entirety will be commissioned as faith community nurses and receive 34 contact hours and a pin. The cost for registered nurses is $395 per person. In order to receive all 34 continuing education credits (CEs), nurses must complete all required in-person and online learning.
Laypersons who complete the course will be commissioned as health ministers and receive a pin and a certificate. The cost for laypersons and others is $200 per person.
Course materials, continental breakfast, and parking are included for all participants..
Limited, partial scholarship funds and special group rates for church groups of two or more people are available. Please inquire.
The class size is limited to 20 participants.
To be eligible for the early registration discount, registration and payment must be postmarked by August 22, 2019.
The deadline to register for this event is September 9, 2019.
For more information about the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course, please contact us at 412-232-5815.
Continuing Education Credits
UPMC is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC’s) Commission on Accreditation. UPMC and ANCC do not endorse any commercial products as a result of the continuing education (CE) activity.
“The simplest and most practical lesson I know … is to resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow.”
Catherine McAuley, RSM, Founder of the Sisters of Mercy
Pittsburgh Mercy Health Ministry Dinner & Gathering
Compassion Fatigue from a Systems Perspective: Self-Care and Beyond
November 15, 2019
UPMC Mercy
Sister M. Ferdinand Clark Auditorium
1400 Locust Street, Second Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-5144 (Uptown)
Registration for the Pittsburgh Mercy Health Ministry Dinner & Gathering begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and program from 6 to 8 p.m.
The event will provide continuing education, resources, and networking opportunities to individuals who are interested in starting or enhancing health ministries in their faith communities, as well as in the general public. Attendees will consider what is working and not working within their ministries, how they can acquire needed resources and people, how they can rejuvenate an established health ministry, and what established programs can help them care for people in need within their faith communities.
Guest speaker is Ann Depner, a licensed clinical social worker who retired from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, where she had a long career as a mental health therapist and director of family services. She earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pittsburgh and completed a two-year, post-graduate course in Bowen Theory at the Western Pennsylvania Family Center. She also completed certificates in spiritual direction and direction of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises from the Pneuma Program of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Depner maintains a private practice of psychotherapy and spiritual direction. She also serves on the faculty of the Western Pennsylvania Family Center, an organization devoted to education and consultation in Bowen Theory, which provides many relevant insights for those in health ministry and health care delivery.
Using the theoretical lens of the Bowen Family Systems Theory, Depner’s presentation will explore what kind of help promotes growth and resourcefulness, and what leads instead to resentment or helplessness in care receivers and compassion fatigue in itself. By understanding compassion fatigue, one can make intentional strides in life that will be sustaining and fruitful, especially in challenging times.
The gathering is expected to draw parish and faith community nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified registered nurse practitioners, health ministers, clergy, pastoral and social ministers, physicians, health and social service professionals, licensed professional counselors, health care educators, nursing students, seminarians, and others interested in promoting whole-person health (balancing body, mind, and spirit).
Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to:
Describe what is meant by the related concepts of compassion fatigue and burnout.
Identify the systemic roots of the impairment involved in compassion fatigue and burnout.
Explain the Bowen Theory’s concept of differentiation of self and its role in preventing or alleviating compassion fatigue and burnout.
Describe strategies for avoiding the overfunctioning that leads to compassion fatigue in caregivers and decreased functioning in care receivers.
There will be 1.5 continuing education (CE) credits provided to registered nurses who attend. The cost is $40 for registered nurses who wish to receive continuing education credits* and $30 for those who do not want credits. The cost for undergraduate nursing students, seminarians, religious, clergy, and others interested in promoting whole-person health is $20. Dinner and free parking in UPMC Mercy’s Locust Street Parking Garage will be provided to participants.
Registration is accepted by U.S. mail only. Seating capacity is limited. Early registration is encouraged. Registration with full payment must be postmarked by Friday, November 1, 2019. For more information, please contact us at 412-232-5815 or email ParishNurse@pittsburghmercy.org.
*The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC). Participants who attend the entire session and complete an evaluation form will be awarded a certificate and 1.5 continuing education credits. UPMC and ANCC do not endorse any commercial products as a result of the CE activity. The speaker has no relevant financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose in regard to the Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program.
Health Ministry Education
The Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program offers creative heath ministry workshops and education programs for laypersons and health professionals who want to serve their faith communities. We’ll work with you to prepare programs that will meet the unique needs of your faith community or organization. We’ll also tailor topics to fit your learning needs.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
What is Health Ministry?
Advocacy & Referral
Building a Health Ministry Team
Coordinating Volunteers
Promoting Health & Wellness in Your Faith Community
Spiritual Care of the Elderly with Dementia
Understanding Grief & Loss
Visitation Ministry.
Depending on the topic, health ministry education programs can last from two to six hours.
We encourage a minimum of 10 participants per program.
Health ministry education programs are offered at no cost to faith communities and faith-based organizations. However, to cover the costs of travel, education materials (hand-outs), and advertisement in “The Faith Connection,” our monthly e-newsletter, we gladly accept donations.
To design a health ministry education program to meet the needs of your faith community or organization, please contact us at 412-232-5815.
The Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program is offering a one-day Spiritual Retreat on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at Martina Spiritual Renewal Center in West View, part of Pittsburgh’s North Hills.
The Rev. Dr. Joan Prentice, M. Div., D. Min.
The retreat will be facilitated by Rev. Joan Prentice, M.Div., D.Min, founder, executive director, and pastor of The Ephesus Project, a Pittsburgh nonprofit. Dr. Prentice has more than 20 years of experience in pastoral ministry. She began as a staff pastor to new disciples at Mount Ararat Baptist Church in East Liberty. Her focus at Mt. Ararat was in pastoral care, spiritual counseling for new members, curriculum development, and volunteer training. After much discernment and prayer, Dr. Prentice established The Ephesus Project in 2013 and describes it as “Traditional Church in an Untraditional Way.” The Ephesus Project exists in community as a “church without walls” and holds true to the principles of the Christian faith but in creative ways of ministry.
Dr. Prentice devotes her time to teaching and developing leaders for church and community ministry in the 21st century such as New Paradigm Leadership Training, Grace Space Gatherings, Open Word Bible Study and Conversation, pastoral and leadership retreats, focus symposiums, and Mothers United in Christ.
Dr. Prentice resides in Pittsburgh with her husband Marvin. She is a mother of three adult children and a grandmother of eight.
The retreat will begin with a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. The opening session will start at 9 a.m. The retreat will end by 4 p.m. Lunch is simple with minimal talking to allow participants the time and space for self-reflection. Participants are invited to a time of prayer, solitude, quiet reflection, learning and fellowship. It is time away from both personal and professional responsibilities especially during this special season of Lent.
The cost for the retreat is $55 per person and is payable to the Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program. The cost is an additional $40 for retreat participants who choose to stay overnight on Friday (dinner on your own), which is paid directly to Martina Spiritual Renewal Center. Space for overnight retreat participants is limited. Early registration is strongly encouraged. Handicap accessibility is available upon request.
The theme for this spiritual retreat is “Sacred Dance to the Rhythm of Life” which is designed as a contemplative, healing retreat. In our busy lives, especially those involved in ministry, we sometimes feel overwhelmed to the point of neglecting our own spiritual needs. We risk having little to pour out and then burn out. Retreat participants will come together for healing, refreshment, and restoration in a safe, sacred space. There is a holy dance with which we are invited to enter into with the living Lord. As our Creator leads, we follow and find a deeper freedom in the sacred dance of the rhythm of life.
“Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints. Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.” – Psalms 149: 1 and 3 NIV.
Faith Community Nurse & Health Ministry Educational Meetings
The Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program is hosting five Faith Community Nurse & Health Ministry Educational Meetings in Allegheny and Beaver counties that will provide two contact hours for registered nurses and valuable information for others who attend. This educational offering, “Spiritual Care of the Elderly with Dementia,” will focus on understanding dementia and the collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. Participants will explore the roles of faith community nurses and health ministers as they offer spiritual care to those parishioners/congregation members with dementia and their family caregivers.
The meeting can benefit faith community nurses, health ministers, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, clergy/laity, and anyone interested in learning about wholistic care approach (whole-person health) and committed to educating their local parishioners. The goal of the meeting is to emphasize the importance of networking, fellowship, learning, and peer support for faith community nurses and health ministers as they assist their congregations and local community to better whole-person health – body, mind, and spirit.
The meeting is free for those who do not wish to receive continuing education credits and $10 for registered nurses who want the educational credits. A check or cash are acceptable at the door. Light refreshments will be provided.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
Define dementia and recognize common types of dementia
Understand the role of the faith community nurse and health minister in providing spiritual care to those members with dementia and their family caregivers
Discuss using a wholistic care approach and interventions that have a supportive stance compared to a confrontational stance
Explore various religious objects that may have spiritual and emotional significance as one’s cognition declines.
Registration for all sessions begins at 5:30 p.m.; the program runs from 6 to 8 p.m.
Locations and dates are:
Penn Hills: Monday, May 20, 2019: Zion Lutheran Church, Community Room, 11609 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.
McCandless: Thursday, May 30, 2019: Southwestern Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod, Chapel Area, 9625 Perry Highway (intersection of Route 19 and Ingomar Road), Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Use upper parking lot, accessible from Ingomar Road.
Bethel Park: Thursday, June 6, 2019: Christ United Methodist Church, Conference Room A105, 44 Highland Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102. Enter church building door No. 2 under the portico.
Aliquippa: Wednesday, June 12, 2019: St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church, Rectory Meeting House, basement area, 115 Trinity Drive, Aliquippa, PA 15001.
Pittsburgh (Uptown): Wednesday, June 19, 2019: UPMC Mercy, Sr. M. Ferdinand Clark Auditorium – Side A, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Use hospital parking garage and ticket will be validated.
While attending the location nearest to one’s faith community is suggested to benefit from peer support and local community resources, participants are welcome to attend the session that best suits their schedule.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC). A participant must attend the entire session and complete an evaluation form before being awarded a certificate and two continuing education credits. Partial credit is not awarded. UPMC and ANCC do not endorse any commercial products as a result of this CE activity.
For more information or to register, contact the Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program at 412-232-5815 or email ParishNurse@pittsburghmercy.org.
25th Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Symposium
Reflections from Our 25th Symposium: “Celebrating Health Ministry: Our Past, Present, and Future”
Our 25th symposium, held on Saturday, October 28, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and entitled “Celebrating Health Ministry: Our Past, Present, and Future,” was a great success, assisting participants in reflecting more deeply on how we provide wholistic care (whole-person care) to those we serve in our faith communities. The symposium celebrated our past in faith community nursing, magnified our present service to those in need, and moved us forward to the dynamic vision for the future of health ministry.
We explored important health care trends:
Wholistic care
Cultural competency
Diversity appreciation
Complex community needs
Addiction
Behavioral health concerns.
Marlene Feagan (right) receives a Terrible Towel from Sister Rebecca Nolan (left)
Our wonderful guest speaker, Marlene Feagan, MA, BSN, RN-BC, president of Health Ministries Association, Inc. (pictured holding a beloved Terrible Towel), encouraged all 52 attendees to address our own individual callings to health ministry as well as to look honestly at areas needing further discernment and prayer in our faith communities.
Marlene also facilitated roundtable discussions to move us beyond our ecumenical boundaries, and intersect faith and health concerns across social avenues focusing on those who are identified with homelessness, addiction, behavioral health concerns, and spiritual challenges.
She also engaged us with questions that may not always have answers when it comes to providing wholistic care in faith communities. The spirit-filled room opened and closed with prayer and singing as attendees bonded together.
Participants at our 25th Annual Symposium
We learned from each other and became better equipped to lead our faith communities through the ministry of healing. As it says in Isaiah 40:11 NIV, “He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads…”. God’s blessings to you in your ministry!
For more information about the 25th Annual Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Symposium, please contact us at 412-232-5815.
