| "...they uncovered the roof..."
by Emine "Amy" O. Rurut
|
"...and they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of  four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay....When Jesus saw their faith, he said..." (Mark 2:2-5)
Wellsprings of Florida, Inc. has been in operation since December 2006. It was the faith of the Executive Boards of two organizations "uncovering the roof" that brought forth the merging of Morningside, Inc. and The Summit, Inc. in Apopka, ten miles northwest of Orlando.
The combined crew of Christian Science nurses at Wellsprings are today continuing this mission of "uncovering the roof" in their nursing ministry, faithfully witnessing "the perfect man" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy 476:32), while simultaneously, skillfully and diligently removing the layers of so-called obstacles in the path of patients and staff for direct communication with the Christ.
We have witnessed many physical healings. These include: a situation where a patient appeared to have stopped breathing; another who returned to normal home activities after a fractured hip; and another who traveled back to her home state after recovering from a balancing difficulty during a vacation to Florida.
This continued "uncovering the roof" mission has not only brought freeing steps to the patients who come to Wellsprings, but also has enabled the Christian Science nurses to demonstrate a more expansive ministry that blesses others beyond the nursing floor.
The Christian Science nurses are active participants in their branch church work and take on the responsibilities of First Reader, Second Reader, Board Chair, Board member, soloist, Sunday School teacher, Usher Chair, Lecture Chair, Reading Room librarian, and more.
One Christian Science nurse was interviewed by a student medical nurse about the differences between a Christian Science nurse and the medical nurse; another was alerted to stop the subtle invasion of a large medical hospital advertising their procedures on the Christian Science Monitor website; and some are sharing their precious time correcting negative comments about Christian Science online.
Wellsprings' Christian Science nurses welcome opportunities to share Christian Science at anytime. We've welcomed patients who were new to the Christian Science healing method; introduced Wellsprings to the Apopka Mayor at his Annual Mayor's Prayer breakfast event; invited a Park Ranger from the neighboring Wekiva State Park to explain her work to the patients; had drivers of the transportation company attend lectures with the patients; given subscriptions of the Christian Science periodicals to interested non-Christian Science staff at Wellsprings; and have a non-Christian Science staff member managing the reception desk today.
Our latest "breaking up of the roof" effort has also occurred in our charting system. Today the total amount of time a religious program made available to a patient, besides what was provided directly by the Christian Science nurses assigned to the room, is added as non-billable time to the total amount of care the patient receives throughout a day. Readings by a Christian Science volunteer; Christian Science articles or hymns played on CD; the Sunday church service and testimony meeting; live Christian Science lectures; group religious activities; patient's visible study time; and voicing of truths by the Christian Science nurses of each shift are all recorded and tallied.
All the patients' charts now include the hours Christian Science has been provided throughout their stay, and impart a more accurate evidence that matches the religious aspect of our assigned nursing institutions - Religious Non-medical Health Care Institutions (RNHCI)!
Being part of an international group of Christian Science facility nurses, who are daily at the frontline exemplifying the Manual of the Mother Church (by Mar Baker Eddy) By-Law Article VIII Section 31 for local as well as foreign government officials and third party payers' inspections, is a ministry the Christian Science nurses of Wellsprings humbly strive to fulfill. We look forward to the day when a Christian Science nursing facility becomes an acknowledged viable health care institution of choice, for all mankind.
"... with God all things are possible. " (Mark 10:27) |
