Here is a wonderful article a friend forwarded to me regarding a beautiful example of a woman who merged her practical skills of nursing with her heart for holistic ministry within a congregational setting. From the article:
“Parish nursing is a ministry of promoting spiritual and physical health,” Gardeen says. “We serve Christ through nursing.” What started with six nurses working with six congregations in Park Ridge, Illinois, has now grown to an international movement with about 12,000 nurses working in the U.S.I am sure there are many other types of work that could be merged into ministry in such a fashion. This is just one very practical way to meet the needs of people in a congregation.
The parish nurse functions as a connector between health and faith that concentrates more on relationship building than hands-on treatment. The focus is on wellness and
preventative care."