Health Ministry - Hope Lutheran Church of Fargo, ND

The Health Ministry team, including Parish Nurses, encourages health, healing and caring aspects of the church community. The team works to reflect Christ's love so that our community may receive spiritual support, health education and help identifying community resources.

Care Basket Ministry exists largely due to the generosity of our members. The majority of items used have been donated or handcrafted by our members. The demand for Care Baskets has increased significantly over the last year(s). In August 2006, Hope Lutheran applied to Wheat Ridge Ministries for a Congregation Health and Hope Grant. In December 2006, we were honored to receive grant money to aid in the expansion of this ministry. It is our hope that we will be able to reach out to those in the community that are in need as well as meet the needs of our own members.

Health Ministry Opportunities
- Coordinator: Kathy Johnson
Basket Ministry
- Baby Baskets
  - Coordinators: Susan Kiser and small group
- Care Baskets
  - Coordinators: Nicole Bakkegard and small group
Lay Ministers
- Pat Kerian and Michelann Tangen
Prayer Shawls
- Coordinator: Nicki Almquist
Caring Bridge
- Peggy Stordahl
Locks of Love
- Coordinator: Robin Wegener

Health Ministry Opportunities:
- Maintain personal care items such as wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, shower chairs, canes, grab bars, raised toilet seats, humidifiers, and toilet safety frames. These items are loaned to Hope Lutheran members and their families free of charge.
- Distribute care baskets made up of devotionals and other small gifts to critically ill patients
- Make post-hospitalized phone calls
- Make phone calls to mothers of new babies
- Distribute baby baskets to first time mothers of new babies
- Make hospital visits as a lay minister
- Visit nursing homes or homebound members
- Provide nursing home visits from therapy dogs
- Maintain connections with members who have a CaringBridge web site

- Provide medical information through brochures and highlighting monthly topics

For more information or to sign up for the above listed opportunities, contact Ann at 701-235-6629, x 310 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Care Baskets (designed for people experiencing some sort of crisis; for children who have
a sibling or parent dealing with a life threatening illness; for non-profit community
agencies such as the YWCA or Ronald McDonald House)

Baby Baskets (for first time parents)

Chemo Care Baskets (baskets designed specifically for patients undergoing
chemotherapy)

Chronic Care Baskets (for people experiencing a chronic or terminal illness)

Personal Care Baskets (designed specifically for the needs of the person receiving it)

Donation ideas: unscented lotions, coffee mugs, bottled water, plastic or latex gloves, note pads, ginger tea, Ivory Soap, receiving blankets, onesies, cleaning products, personal hygiene items, nail clippers, BandAids, petroleum jelly, kitchen gloves and non-perishable food items.

Prayer Shawls - Needle "Works" is made up of caring knitters and crocheters who craft shawls laden with prayers. The prayer shawl is given to someone special as a loving reminder of God's presence. The quiet prayers and busy needles create shawls that bring physical warmth and spiritual comfort. Whispered prayers of hope mingle with the strands of yarn. The love of Jesus is expressed through a caring embrace, the embrace of a prayer shawl wrapped comfortingly around the shoulders of another.

Lay Ministers - The lay ministers call on church members and friends of the church who are hospitalized, staying in a rehabilitation center, etc. and inform them what services are provided by the church. Visit hospital patients who aren’t affiliated with the church but who request a visit.

Pat Kerian Michelann Tangen

HopeCare makes a difference: Click to read the Thank You cards that we have received.

Myrt Armstrong Center MHA Fargo Social Club	Baby Baskets
Care Baskets