 Vicar’s Column
Congregational Care Offerings
I am delighted to announce the next modules in our “Decisions for End of Life†Congregational Care series. In May, we will have two workshops, one focusing on palliative care, and the other focusing on documenting medical decisions towards end of life.
Workshop I: Understanding Palliative Care
Monday, May 16, 5:30 PM
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness, with the goal of improving quality of life both for the patient and their family. This workshop will answer your questions on palliative care, as well as introduce you to the options for palliative care available in our local area.
Workshop II: Making and Communicating your Medical Decisions
Monday, May 23, 5:30 PM
We all know we need to do it – filling out an advance healthcare directives and selecting a healthcare agent, someone authorized to make medical decisions on our behalf in the event we are unable to do so for ourselves. Completing these forms can be a key element to our wellness in the event we are hospitalized and/or dealing with critical or end-of-life medical decisions, giving our healthcare team guidance to make the decisions that are congruent with what we want, especially in complex situations.
The best time to become informed about palliative care and make advance healthcare decisions is “before you need them,†times when neither us nor our family systems are dealing with a critical or emergency situations.
Both of these workshops will be facilitated by Pam DeVisser, FNP. Pam is working with the Providence Medical Group in Cannon Beach, and is looking forward to sharing her expertise in both of these areas with our local community.
Format for the workshops will be a potluck dinner from 5:30 – 6:00 PM, followed by the workshop from 6 – 7 PM. There is no required cost, but donations gladly accepted that will be used to cover a professional gratuity for our presenter.
Registration at the church, or online here.
Pam DeVisser chose to become a family nurse practitioner because she loves the long-term relationships and  multigenerational aspects inherent in primary care and family medicine.
In her practice, she emphasizes patient education, spiritual health and prayer, and stresses the importance of ongoing patient provider relationships for continuity of care. Her philosophy of care is to listen to patients and be an advocate for them.
Pam is married with two grown children. She enjoys reading, gardening, and college football and basketball. Pam is very active in her professional organization, Nurse Practitioners of Oregon.
Pam attended Butterworth Hospital School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, Mich., earning her bachelor of science degree in nursing. She received her master of science in nursing from Michigan State University in East Lansing.
Patricia+
Ministry of Presence
 One of ways we care for each other is simply by “being present.†For members of our congregation who can no longer get out on their own, a visit from a fellow parishioner can be a true high point in one’s day. Jan Tarr reflects on the impact this can have:
“ ….Bob and I are aware that people want to help Hugh and  others at Suzanne-Elise. I feel so happy myself when people drop in and swap stories with me or just listen to me ramble on. After seeing Carol and Tom Jones who came to visit today in Hugh’s room and do the listening that Patricia mentioned she'd done with her father, I saw how easy it is. Nobody needs to plan anything, just drop in when you’re in the neighborhood. You don’t need a reason.â€
As always, I encourage all of us to be generous with our time, visiting and reaching out to members of our congregation who are ill, homebound or no longer able to get out on their own.
Patricia+
Prayers for Ecuador and Japan
Episcopal Relief and Development asks for your prayers for those in Ecuador and Japan suffering from the devastating earthquakes. You can donate to help with recovery here. Episcopal Relief works through the local churches and uses local crews and materials. Click here. Also read a call for prayer from our bishops in Ecuador.
On the Occasion of a Disaster
Compassionate God... Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and anguish, comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who are weary, encourage those in despair, and lead us all to fullness of life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen
Holy Women, Holy Men p. 733
Saying Goodbye to Sharon
Sharon Stewart is moving to Hillsboro. We wish her many blessings as she moves closer to her family. The Congregation Care Group will miss her presence and wisdom. Sunday April 24 will be her farewell service.
Celebrate in Portland this Friday
with the Presiding Bishop
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be attending and speaking at the annual conference of Episcopal Communicators being held in Portland April 20-23. The closing Eucharist for the conference will be at Trinity Cathedral at 11:00 am on Friday, April 22. The public is invited to attend. No ticket necessary.
Ann+
News from Jean Smiset
From Jean's daughter, Dana:
 "Carpe diem†is how Jean prefers to live her life. Jean thrives on another adventure - which she wanted to share with you as a happy surprise.
Jean Smiset
Elite Care at Oatfield Estates
4444 SE Oatfield Hill Rd
Adams 1-A
Milwaukie, OR 97267
503 659-0860
I left her yesterday playing - appropriately as if at a birthday party - socializing with her new community . . and her new community includes laughing dogs, dancing koi, challenges of new adventures every day, a spotted cat, Mount Hood, gatherings around the bountiful kitchen table."
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