A call to helping others and serving God has led 10 local women on a mission to bring together physical and spiritual health.

The women are taking classes through Mercer Health System, Pittsburgh, to become certified parish and congregational nurses. The classes are being sponsored by Minority Health Center in Farrell and are held at First Presbyterian Church in Sharon.

The concept of parish nursing was started in Chicago in the 1980s by a Lutheran minister. The program began with six nurses who were placed in churches with the goal of providing people with holistic care -- a combination of the scientific and the spiritual, said Joy Burt Conti, manager of the Parish/Congregational Nurse and Health Ministries Program.

The movement has spread to thousands of nurses of many faiths around the world, she said.

All of the women seem to follow the theory of: "If you're a nurse, then you're always a nurse."

That means nurses are often called on for help even if they're not officially on the clock. Becoming a certified parish nurse will help people to feel more comfortable seeking help, said Hazel Hadden, a professor at Slippery Rock University and co-pastor of the Hour of Power Full Gospel Tabernacle in Farrell.

Sallie Saudners, a nurse and co-pastor of the Hour of Power, said in today's work force people aren't able to integrate the spiritual into everything else.

"Real healing comes from the Lord," Mrs. Saudners said. She said wellness is feeling good about yourself, but wholeness brings together the spiritual and mental aspects of health.

"This was my calling, to be a nurse," said Dora Bailey of Sharon, who works for UPMC Horizon. "I'm very blessed to be in the program."

Ms. Bailey said in additional to getting more education, the program has allowed her to meet new friends and exchange ideas, information and experiences with them.

The American Nurses Association recognizes parish and congregational nursing as a specialty area of the profession, Mrs. Conti said.

Mrs. Conti said parish nurses are always looking to serve their community. She said the program is a way of linking people together and people with resources.

"We believe we're all called to care for one another," Mrs. Conti said.

"If we just touch one person and put a smile on their face, it will all be worth it," Ms. Bailey added.

Mrs. Hadden said she hopes the program will also help the local churches become more organized as people realize the importance of parish nursing.

Mrs. Saudners said another big part of parish nursing is volunteerism.

"We have volunteered ourselves to the Lord," Mrs. Hadden said. "We're willing to help any way we can."

Part of the program will involve home visits. Those visits will allow the nurses to assess a person's home situation and get people the help or guidance that they need.

"It's just a growing movement," Mrs. Conti said.

The other nurses participating in the program are: Karen Moore, Sharpsville; Joan Lester, Sharon; Annie Adams, Wheatland; JoAn Wentling, Greenville; and Julia Yopp, Dorothy Townsend and Frances Jackson, all Farrell.

Olive Brown, director of the Minority Health Center, said the program is being funded by a $250,000 state Racial Ethnic Disparities Grant. She said some of the nurses are already working in their churches by conducting things like exercise programs.

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