Parish Nurse

Health Ministry and Parish Nurse

Behold, I will bring it health and healing. I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. --Jeremiah 33:6

What does the health ministry team and the parish nurse do for Trinity?

Lisa Riviera, our parish nurse, along with Pastor Gary, the Minister of Pastoral Care, and the Health Ministry Team, are responsible for the caring ministries of the congregation. The parish nurse provides support, comfort and information within our faith community and church. She uses concepts of healing and faith to promote health wellness. Our Health Ministry Team provides the following services:

  • Blood Pressure testing – these are opportunities for the worshipping community to be checked on the second Sunday of each month from 9-11 a.m. (On hold due to COVID-19)
  • Flu Shots/Health Fairs – are provided seasonally to the whole congregation and also to the community. 
  • Red Cross Blood Drives – There is a simple way that you can make a difference. Hospital patients need blood every day for care related to cancer, serious diseases, trauma, and surgery. Donors like you are the source of this life giving liquid.  Some day it could save your life or that of a loved one.  Let’s do our part to make sure that there is a ready supply.  
  • Hospital/In Home visitation – The pastors, parish nurse and elders regularly visit the sick and shut ins of Trinity. There is also opportunity for anyone who would like to be trained for such a ministry to participate in our Stephen Ministry program. Contact the Church Office at 586.463.2921 for more information or contact Pastor Gary at
  • Grief Ministry –Grief is another specialized area in which the parish nurse provides support to individuals who have suffered the loss of a loved one through death. Currently, visitation and also an informative caring resource is shared with these individuals. We also offer GriefShare, a multi-week support program, several times throughour the year. Contact the Lisa Riviera at 586.463.2921 for more information.

Nurse's Notes

Parish Nurse Lisa Riviera has combed the Internet and finds links that is useful and informative and shares them with you. Check back regularly for updated information. 

Nutrition Information

Advanced Directives

*Lisa Riviera, the parish nurse, is trained to discuss advance directives with you and can help provide direction in this most important life step.*

A-fib: A rising epidemic

Who is at risk for A-fib?

15 Ways to Glorify God in Your Eating

13 Reasons Why Walking Works

Caring Ministry Resources

Trinity offers several caring ministry resources to members of the church as well as the community.

COVID-19 Resources
Learn more about the virus and get information on how to get financial health as well.

COVID Info

Sex and Human Trafficking
This Focus on the Family topic discusses how to keep your family safe against this danger. Michigan is ranked number 2 in the nation for sex and human trafficking, only second to Los Angeles, California. Learn more about it and talk to Lisa Riviera if you have any concerns.

Focus on the Family Info

Community Resource Michigan Benefits Access (MBA)
Community Resource Michigan Benefits Access (MBA) is a public/private initiative created to streamline the benefits application process, increase online access to Department of Human Services programs such as childcare, food assistance, emergency assistance, healthcare, etc., and coordinate local support services.  You can access the Michigan Benefits Access through their website  

www.mibenefitsaccess.org.  The MBA website can be used to find helpful information including training dates and locations, toolkits and links to additional resources. 

Michigan Benefits Access

MCREST
Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team, MCREST, is an on-going rotating shelter for homeless people within the Macomb County area. Trinity has been involved since its beginning, offering the week surrounding Christmas as a time to house and care for individuals within the program.  A wide variety of gifts and skills can be put to use.  

MCREST

Food Pantry
Trinity's food pantry is an on-going ministry that impacts hundreds of families with needed food and other items on a case by case basis. Food donations are always  needed – with specific opportunities once a month before worship. Extra assistance is needed for holiday packing and distribution. The pantry is opened Monday through Thursday. Families in need can call the church office and request assistance once a week. Names are taken each morning and we are able to help three families per day, so it is recommended those who need food call early. Food requesters will need to be able to pick up their food the same day at a designated time. For more information, contact the church office 586.463.2921.
STEPHEN MINISTRY

Our congregation’s Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-on-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.

YOU play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. 
Here’s what YOU can do:

  • PRAY for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry
  • ACCEPT CARE from a Stephen Minister during your time of need. God doesn’t expect you to bear your burdens alone.
  • TELL A FRIEND, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry.

Pastors will always be on the front lines of care, especially during times of crisis. But there are always many more needs for ongoing, one-to-one care than pastors can effectively meet by themselves. Stephen Ministry provides a biblical solution – equipping God’s people for ministry. Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors continue to provide.

“To equip the saints, for the work of ministry”  Ephesians 4:12

Stephen Ministry 
• Care Receivers - Offers one-to-one caring and confidential relationships to those who are hurting from life issues.
• Care Givers -Opportunities to learn to provide confidential, coordinated, care. Extensive study, 2 year commitment. For more information, contact Pastor Gary at , or Stephen Ministry on the web. 

Stephen Ministry Featured on PBS
The PBS "Religion and Ethics" news show recently aired an eight-minute feature on Stephen Ministry that vividly describes the life-changing ministry happening in thousands of congregations.  View the Stephen Ministry feature on the PBS Web site, where you'll also find several bonus features--including a nine-minute interview with Stephen Ministries' founder and executive director, Kenneth C. Haugk.

Here is an interview about the personal and spiritual growth that Dr. Ortberg has seen happening through Stephen Ministry.  Click here.