The First English Lutheran Church Health Ministry Cabinet was formed in July 2003 with the encouragement and involvement of the Social Ministry and Outreach Committee and the First English Church Council. The First English Health Ministry Cabinet serves as an umbrella group which promotes health ministry in our church. The Cabinet serves as a catalyst; encouraging individuals and groups to be involved, making them aware of the importance of healing that can come from each of them. The Cabinet does this by acting as a source of influence in the life of the church to ensure that the stewardship of health is expressed in worship, education, networks of support, and recreation. Through the Health Cabinet’s ministry our church is empowered to better promote health that cares for members and neighbors as whole persons (body, mind, spirit, environment, and social support).

Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries provided First English Evangelical Lutheran Church with a grant supported position in 2003-2005 for a parish nurse at our church four hours a week. The Health Ministry cabinet conducted a short Congregational Health Survey assessment of the membership to help determine areas of interest and need in our congregation. The Health Ministry Cabinet has presented monthly articles in the FEELC Good News and to the congregation on topics such as: Parish Nursing; Spirituality and Health; Depression; Grief and Dealing With Loss at the Holidays; Women's Health; Men's Health; Anxiety and Stress Management; Pneumonia, Flu and Influenza Vaccines; Rebound Headaches, High Blood Pressure and Stroke, and Environmental Concerns.

The First English Lutheran Church Health Ministry Cabinet members have included: Donna Wooditch, RN; Lucy Mbugua, LPN; Esther Bonnet; Jane Davis, Council Vice-President; Teal Anderson, Social Ministry Co-Chair; Pastor Donald Burggraf; Bettye Wolinski, RN Diakon Parish Nurse Facilitator. Special thanks are also extended to Emried Cole, Anna Hoffman, RN, and Jennifer Horner, RN who helped with the beginning development of the Health Ministry Cabinet and Parish Nurse program.

Health Ministry Vision:
In keeping with FEELC’s Mission and Vision, the First English Health Ministry exists: To share God’s love, God’s spirit, and Christ’s resurrection To reveal the healing power of Christ To reflect God’s love through caring for our members, and all of God’s creation.

Health Ministry Mission:
The First English Health Ministry joins in partnership with the members to promote spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being within the church and c ommunity through the gift of prayer, education, listening, and caring. The articles we provide are not intended as a substitute for obtaining qualified medical treatment, but only a source of information.

If the Health Ministry Cabinet can be of assistance to you or your family they can be contacted through the church office at (410) 235-2356. Please note there is an excellent resource CD (computer) available at no cost at Baltimore County Public Libraries titled, “Taking Care of Mom & Dad, Understanding Choices, Options and Services” produced by the Baltimore County Department of Aging.