Ministries at St. Paul Lutheran Church

Lutheran Ministry to Nursing Homes
Several years' work came to fruition on May 12, 2002 when Sharon Stalkfleet was called and ordained as the chaplain to four nursing homes in the East Bay cities of Oakland and Alameda. Beginning in 2009, Pastor Pandora Canton was called as the second chaplain to the Lutheran Ministry to Nursing Homes.

Lutheran Ministry to Nursing Homes (LMNH) has its origins in a desire among East Bay Lutherans to provide care and advocacy for some of our most vulnerable citizens – the aged. Saint Paul Lutheran Church was central to the founding of this new ministry together with Trinity Lutheran Church, Oakland; Resurrection Lutheran Church, Oakland; and Trinity Lutheran Church, Alameda.

From its inception, LMNH envisioned a connection between residents and congregants, especially since various studies report that between 60% to 80% of all residents in nursing homes have no outside visitors. The only pepole to see them, touch them, or speak with them are other residents of those working in the facilities. LMNH wanted to begin to change that in these facilities. Volunteers from supporting congregations are given training and then begin visiting residents who have requested such visits. Volunteers remember residents with cards and small gifts on special occasions, they pray for them, and are enriched by their time with them.