Parish Nurse Update …
Lightbeams Low vision Support Group is a group for those with vision impairment or those who want more information about living with vision impairment. We will continue to meet through the summer months. Join us on Thursday, June 12th, at 10:30 a.m. in the Iona Room. . You are invited to join the group for a light lunch after the meeting; $1.50 suggested donation for a sandwich. Any questions call Parish Nurse, Kathy Anderson 623-974-3611.
Put a little prevention in your life! Get your blood pressure checked Sunday, June 15, in the Iona room after 9:30 a.m. Worship. Blood pressure clinic will be open from 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Yes, the exercise classes are still continuing through the summer months. Join us, before the heat of the day, to exercise and put some health into your life! Mondays at 9:00 a.m.: Instructor Sally Lopez: Illingworth Hall Please note there will be no class on Monday, June 30th
Tues – Fri at 9:00 a.m.: Instructor Linda Schmidt Illingworth Hall
There is a suggested donation for each class of $3.00. Any questions, contact the church office.
E-mail Addresses
To receive a regular update of the changes in the Pastoral Care needs of Faith Presbyterian Church or other concerns related to the Faith Presbyterian Church family, submit your e-mail address to Roda Wright and follow the regular updates (2 or 3 times a week). Roda’s address: rwright@scfaith.org.
Have you checked out the Faith Presbyterian Church WEB PAGE? Go to www.scfaith.org You might be surprised what you find: Great pictures of church events, a calendar for the month, information about Faith Church and our mission, last week’s sermon, and the Mustard Seed. It’s a great way for “winter visitors” to keep up-to-date with the news. We have regular up-dates on news, photos and events.
Have you checked out the Faith Presbyterian Church WEB PAGE? Go to www.scfaith.org You might be surprised what you find: Great pictures of church events, A calendar for the month, information about Faith Church and our mission, last week’s sermon, and the Mustard Seed. It’s a great way for “winter visitors” to keep up-to-date with the news. We have regular up-dates on news, photos and events.
From Your Parish Nurse
Let’s Talk About Alzheimer’s ...
What have you heard about Alzheimer’s and what is actually true?
Myth 1: Memory loss is a natural part of aging. Reality: In the past, people believed memory loss was a normal part of aging, often regarding even Alzheimer’s as natural age-related decline. Experts now recognize severe memory loss as a symptom of serious illness.
Myth 4: Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and pans can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Reality: During the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum emerged as a possible suspect in Alzheimer’s. This suspicion led to concern about exposure to aluminum through everyday sources such as pots and pans, beverage cans, antacids and antiperspirants. Since then, studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer’s. Experts today focus on other areas of research, and few believe that everyday sources of aluminum pose any threat.
Myth 8: There are treatments available to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease Reality: At this time, there is no treatment to cure, delay or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. FDA-approved drugs temporarily slow worsening of symptoms for about 6 to 12 months, on average, for about half of the individuals who take them.
This information came from the website for the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.
The fact of the matter is that in the United State’s there are more than 5 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease now. Every 72 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s.
What is Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s is a serious and common brain disease. It is the most common form of dementia. There can be many different symptoms but the first problem people notice “is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their work, lifelong hobbies or social life”, from alz.org. There is not a cure for Alzheimer’s, so treatment is with services and support that are right at treating symptoms that may be present.
What if you or someone you love has Alzheimer’s? There are several resources available to help. The Alzheimer’s Association has a local chapter here in Arizona with many resources for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Through the Alzheimer’s Association you can find out about the Safe Return program, CareFinder (help finding the right care options) and Library Services for research and reference needs. There is a 24-hour helpline available for information and support (1-800-272-3900). You can call 623-815-2494 for the location of the Sun City Branch.
What can you do if you don’t have Alzheimer’s but want to keep your memory sharp? There are four activities you can do to stimulate your brain. It may not prevent Alzheimer’s but it can keep your mind active and strengthen brain cells and the connections between them, improving your thinking.
Stay mentally active. Do mentally stimulating activities such as crossword puzzles or learning a new language. Remain socially active. Being with other people makes life more enjoyable. It can also reduce your stress level. Good conversations stimulate you to think more. Stay physically active. Exercise is good for the body and good for the brain. It reduces your risk for heart attack, stroke and diabetes and also helps maintain good blood flow to the brain. You should check with your physician before starting a new exercise program.
Adopt a brain health diet. A low fat, low cholesterol diet is recommended as research has suggested that high cholesterol may contribute to brain cell damage and stroke. Foods that are rich in antioxidants, such as dark vegetables and fruits, may actually protect brain cells.
Be a blessing to someone today! Put some health into your life!
Kathy Anderson
Congregational Care
Do you know of any recent hospitalizations, serious illness, celebrations or other important information? Please be our eyes and ears that will help us stay connected to all of our members and friends. Your Pastors want to be with you to share struggles and joys. Please call one of the Pastors, the Parish Nurse or the Church Office as soon as you are able.
Caring for physical and emotional health is part of our spiritual concern, as spirituality and healing are inseparable. Here at Faith Church we are blessed to have an exceptional Care Ministry. The Care Ministry council which assesses the congregational needs and coordinates services, consists of an Associate Pastor, our Parish Nurse, an Elder, Stephen Ministry Coordinator, Moderator of the Deacons, Friendly Visitor Coordinator, a representative of the Lightbeams and an RN or LPN from the congregation.
Prayer Shawl Ministy at Faith Church
A shawl represents warmth - the warmth of
church family and friends.
As a shawl is draped around one’s
shoulders it represents
encouragement and hope.
We don’t hear much about this ministry, however. Thanks to a small group of dedicated knitters and crocheters, who create our shawls with nimble fingers and prayerful hearts, we are able to provide shawls to anyone who needs one, or asks for one. Shawls are knitted and crocheted in silent prayer for all who are in need within our church family. Our parish nurse, Betty Flower, is often the person who offers a shawl; however, anyone of us can deliver one to a friend in need of comfort. If you would like a shawl, please call the Parish Nurse Kathy Anderson or the church office: 974-3611.
Friendly Visitors 
This
group of members meets on the last Wednesday of every month,
12:30-1:30 p.m. If you would like to make a difference
in the life of a member through a phone call or a personal visit,
come join us and see what we are about. The Friendly Visitors
are a vital part of the Caring Ministry at Faith Church.
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Stephen Ministry
Are you going through a tough time - emotionally or spiritually? Struggling with a crisis in life? Or simply feeling down? Consider letting a Stephen Minister help.
A Stephen Minister is a member of our congregation who is trained to listen, care, encourage, pray and walk alongside you during difficult times. Stephen Ministry is an international, non-denomina-tional program begun in a Lutheran church in St. Louis in 1975. It is named after St. Stephen, who was commis-sioned by the apostles to care for others in his church. Today's Stephen Ministers provide ongoing, confidential support for persons experiencing crisis or transition. A Stephen Minister is not a therapist and accepting the gift of a Stephen Minister does not label one as a person "in need", but as a person who wishes to be listened to and nurtured by someone offering Christian support and care.
Faith Presbyterian Church has had Stephen Ministers since 1989, a group of dedicated people commissioned after the completion of 50 hours of training in important caring ministry skills and concepts. They meet regularly for support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders and to receive continuing education and skill building. Stephen Ministry is confidential ministry; those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.
For more information about Stephen Ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church, please contact one of the pastors or the Stephen Ministry Coordinator, Donna Buchanan, or Pastor Dave, or one of the pastors. For more information about Stephen Ministries in general, please visit their website: Stephen Ministry.
