Gail Davis, RN  - MNEd - Parish Nurse
Parish nursing is a calling.  Gail has prepared herself by attending the basic parish nurse course, attending in-services, participating in scope and practice meetings, and reading pertinent nursing/health research and literature extensively.  God has also provided her a plethora of opportunities and experiences in areas in which she needed strength. Her hospital experience was in ICU, but most of Gail’s professional career was spent in school nursing. While that seems to be quite disconnected from parish nursing, there are many similarities. Gail is comfortable in the role of health teacher, advocate, facilitator and friend, to “clients” (mostly parishioners) many of whom she knows and will continue to have a relationship after an acute situation in which she was able to help is over. Much of what she does is related to assisting people in making healthy choices while accepting the complexity of decision making.

Part of the preparation God has supplied is in the form of family support for this endeavor.  Gail is happily married to Tom; they have three married children and 6 grandchildren, all blessed with a strong faith.  The family was closely involved with (great) grandparents during the last several years of their lives, during which Gail dealt with many of the same issues facing our senior parishioners and their families.  

 Tom and Gail and later, the children, had an unusually rich time of growth in a variety of living areas.  During their Peace Corps experience they served in rural Iran and Gail worked independently teaching concepts as basic as “clean is healthy”.  They lived as a young family for 5 years on 2 Indian Reservations and for 2 years in rural Senegal, West Africa.

Gail’s family fully supports her parish nursing endeavors in which she shares what God has supplied.  If you would like to discuss something with her, or think it would be useful to have her accompany you to a doctor’s appointment, call her. She doesn’t keep regular office hours but is flexibly available (see directory!) and may even call on the resources of the Wellness Cabinet to assist if appropriate.

 
Twyla Thompson - Parish Visitor
I grew up at Central Church.  I was baptized in the old church at Central & Pierce.  I am enjoying my volunteer position as Parish Visitor.  There are many folks on our Home Bound list that I have known for a long time.  I am also enjoying meeting new folks on the list.  I have wonderful visits when I check in with everyone on the phone.   I am working on making home visits.   My goal is to visit each person at least once a year.  I have fun sending notes on Special Holidays.  Organizing the flower delivery of Christmas Poinsettias and Easter Lilly or Tulips has been an exciting project.