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Health Ministry Health Ministry is a Blending of Spirituality and Nursing to Support Wholestic Health. Desert Palms Presbyterian Church has a Health Ministry Team that supports and guides the Faith Community Nurse and the programs. We support and care for the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the faith community. Fitness Fun Education Forums/Classes Support Groups Health Ministry Activities Palms Newsletter Meditation Mondays Health Related Resources Meals of Joy Fitness Fun *********** Please Note ******** Out of concern for your health, safety and an increase in COVID cases we are cancelling Fitness Fun Classes beginning Monday, December 28 through Friday, January 15. Our current plan is to resume classes on Monday, January 18. You can still access our on-line fitness fun classes on desertpalmschurch.org under VIDEOS/Fitness Fun or click the link below. Fitness Fun Videos Please contact Nurse Mary mary@desertpalmschurch.org with any questions. *********** Meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:30am and 9:00am in the Fellowship Hall with limited class sizes. A fun exercise class that includes stretching, cardiovascular, strength training and balance. Must wear a mask to class - Must bring a large beach type towel to cover chair - Bring your own weights, resistance band and water. Click the link below to sign up.You will open a SignUp Genius window. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4AABA62FABFB6-dppc3 Please click on the required COVID-19 waiver below, fill out, and email to mary@desertpalmschurch.org Fitness Fun COVID-19 waiver Online donations accepted and encouraged, click this link to donate. Click on the "Other" fund and write Fitness Fun in the Memo Line. Your browser does not support iFrames, please click here to access our media center. Education Forums/Classes A variety of health-related classes are offered throughout the year. Upcoming Classes via Zoom Check back for upcoming classes Support Groups Caregiver Support Group Low Vision Resource Gathering Grief Support Group Activities Vitalant Blood Drive In partnership with Vitalant, DPPC hosts two blood drives a year: Spring and Fall. The next Vitalant Blood Drive is TBA. Meals of Joy See our Missions page for more information. Responding to An Emergency Training in Spring A class held in the Spring that prepares the participant to respond to an emergency at home, at church and in the community. Participants learn hands only cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This is not a certification class. Influenza Shot Clinic In partnership with a local pharmacy, an influenza shot clinic is held in October. Palms Newsletter Article From Your Faith Community Nurse Mary “Praise be to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God”. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3: 12-13 What does the word compassion mean to you? The dictionary defines compassion as sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. In our many ministries at Desert Palms and in the community, that is exactly what I see each of you offering to others...heartfelt compassion. Do you offer that same compassion to yourself? Most likely, the answer to that question is probably not. God created us, and we are each special children of God. As the Corinthians verse tells us, our God is a “Father of Compassion”. He gives us compassion and wants us to offer it to others and to ourselves. During worship, Pastor Jim refers to “the privilege of serving such a loving and compassionate God.” Do you treat yourself with compassion and kindness? Are you warm and understanding toward yourself when things do not go the way you planned or hoped? Do you criticize yourself and fill your mind with negative self-talk like “I should have done more, or I should have done it better?” Offering ourselves compassion has been studied and defined by Dr. Kristin Neff. She shares that those who are self-compassionate are healthier and lead more productive lives. I would encourage you to consider adding this concept to your 2021 personal goals. What really is self-compassion? Self-compassion as defined by Dr. Kristin Neff (www.self-compassion.org), is extending compassion to one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering. It is composed of three main elements – self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we’d give to a good friend. Self-compassionate people recognize that being imperfect, failing, and experiencing life difficulties is inevitable, so they tend to be gentle with themselves when confronted with painful experiences rather than getting angry when life falls short of set ideals. We are human and cannot always be and do what we think we should. Are you described as a perfectionist with great expectations for yourself? If so, this attitude may create unnecessary stress and frustration in your life. If each of us chooses to accept ourselves and actions with kindness we may enjoy more happiness. If you are interested in additional information and practice exercises on self-compassion, Dr. Neff offers guided meditations, self-compassion exercises and tips at https://self-compassion.org/category/exercises/#exercises. As we begin a new year with hope and trust in our Lord and Savior, I encourage you to reflect on how you treat yourself. Choose to treat yourself like you would your friend. Embrace this healthy change. Blessings as you go forward into 2021, Mary Meditation Monday Meditation Monday with Nurse Mary** 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Corrie Ten Boom, along with her family, helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust of WWII. They were Dutch Christians. She kept her great faith in God as she journeyed through a life filled with great challenge. I am sharing a few of her quotes for our reflection this week. I hope it is a blessed one! Health Related Resources COVID-19 Community Care Resources 211Arizona.org ArizonaTogether.org Organizations Providing Care In Your Home About Seniors Placement Services: Contact Christina Cave at About Seniors, 602-772-6490. ComforCare Home Instead Community Support Groups Benevilla Phone Support Groups Phone: 623-584-4999 Banner Sun Health Phone Support Groups Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Phone Number: 623-832-6530 Arizona Caregiver Coalition Caregiver Resource Line: 1-888-737-7494 Alzheimer's Association Phone Support Groups Phone Number: 602-528-0545 24 Hour Helpline: 1-800-272-3900 Area Agency On Aging Phone Number: 1-888-264-2258 24 Hour Senior Helpline: 602-264-4357