When the sun comes up here in Denver, it shines through the sky-light in our bathroom and brightens our bedroom. It reminds me that God has given us a new day to celebrate His blessings. As I pondered the idea of a new day, I couldn’t help but focus on what that means to me to our new location and what it means to faith community nursing in Oklahoma.
A new day to –

What is not on this list are the mundane activities that we take for granted each day like getting the wash done or going to work because I’m talking about a “new day” in our spiritual life.

My spiritual life took a giant leap forward when I experienced two distinct activities that promoted spiritual growth: attending the

Basic Preparation Course for Parish Nurses taught by Rosemarie Mathews and attending Via de Christo through my church. Sure, I went to church and participated in lots of volunteer activities that one could consider a “spiritual nature”.

But being a “good Lutheran”, I was not one to talk about my faith or connection with God. The two educational experiences challenged me to look inward and act outward. And my connections with so many nurses who have gone through the basic course have encouraged continued growth. I would not be in the spiritual place I am now except for these connections.

Now I am starting a “new day” in a new place. Remembering the comfort the Oklahoma parish nurses gave me, I am looking for those same connections here in Denver. Parish nurses have an immediate relationship regardless of location. Our family doesn’t know what lies ahead for Jim and his family but I do know that the spiritual strength that all of you have helped me develop will sustain me.

But what does a “New Day” mean for the new organization of faith community nurses in Oklahoma? I look with pride to the advances that our organization has made the last few years. It is exciting times for faith community nursing in Oklahoma. The grant will enable you to move forward with the dream that we had years ago – the right of everyone in Oklahoma to services of a faith community nurse. A “New Day” has indeed dawned – and God is in control.

by ~ Andy West

Andy served as the faculty coordinator for the Oklahoma Parish Nurse Training 2000 to 2006. Training over 140 nurses she has been a major force in the growth of parish nursing in Oklahoma. Andy currently resides in Denver, Colorado.