untying the cloak of depression
Dawn Stephens recounts an encounter with a patient that describes what parish nursing looks like for her
Not all nurses work for the NHS. Some work with churches or Christian organisations to support people within their communities, to supplement the NHS, signpost people to appropriate services, and provide intentional care of the spirit.
Parish Nursing Ministries UK’s vision 1 is to support Christian communities across the UK to establish accredited parish nursing services that provide wholistic health and wellbeing support to people of all faiths and none. Parish nursing looks different in every location, as it’s a ministry tailormade to the needs of the community and the skills of the parish nurse.
Here’s a flavour of what it looked like for me:
No one left this place, no one came
Curtains forever closed on the horrors outside
In the doorway to darkness, I stepped in.
God, be with me now
Help me speak your name.
Here, before my trembling heart, she cried in desperation.
She cried in depression.
Unseen
Unheard
Unloved
Worthless
What do I do with this?
I am not equipped.
Her dressing gown was comfort, caressing her body
Worn day and night…day and night.
It didn’t need to come off, she was unseen
It didn’t need to come off, she hid herself away
It didn’t need to come off, to expose her heart, her body, her mind.
You sent me here Lord! You said go!
She asked for my help. What do I do?
‘A voice says “cry out”
And I said, “what shall I cry?” (Isaiah 40:6)
“Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid.”’ (Isaiah 40:9)
And then I saw ‘the sovereign Lord comes with power and rules with a mighty arm’ (Isaiah 40:10)
Her eyes started to lift
The tear streaks faded.
Clasping each other’s hands, heads bowed in prayer
Crying out to you Jesus to lift this despair.
How long oh Lord, how long?
Here before my expectant heart, she stood in certainty.
She stood with dignity.
Seen
Heard
Loved
Worthy
You sent me, you equipped me
You saved her.
Dawn Stephens is a regional nurse co-ordinator for Parish Nursing Ministries UK