As we begin a new calendar year, I pray you are well, experiencing good health, and serving in ways that are rewarding to you and helpful to your communities. I want to say a big "Thank You" for all the time, talent, and treasure you share with your communities through faith community nursing activities, and for the richness you bring to Faith Community Nurses International (FCNI).

For those of you who were able to join me for my first President's Round Table Forum in January, I hope you found it informative. For those who missed it, you can find the recording on the FCNI website. We received comments on the strategic plan (the document is also accessible to FCNI members on the "Members Only" section of this website) and the feedback has been taken back to the Board.

I'm excited and thankful for the generosity of Widener University making available for new and renewing FCNI members the opportunity to take the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course at a discounted price. A special "Thanks" is extended to Dr. Donna Callaghan, the Chair of the FCNI Research Committee, for facilitating the course and the wonderful opportunity.

I want to encourage you to get involved in our professional organization. FCNI was created for and is led by faith community nurses and parish nurses for faith community nurses and parish nurses! I find the more engaged I am, the more I personally get out of my professional organizations-and I encourage you to join me in this venture!

Please contact us at contact@fcninternational.org if you are willing and able to get involved. We are looking for:

• Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to work on specific topics for our Practice Toolkits. If you are an expert in an area that can help other FCNs, let us know! Some areas we are in need of experts are: infection control and prevention for FCNs, social determinants of health, legal issues in the faith community, resources for FCNs whose ministries were ended or positions eliminated, and new monthly health topics, just to name a few!
• Several of our committees need additional members: Technology Committee, Finance and Fund Raising Committees, Education Committee, and the Spiritual Resource Committee.
• Please plan to attend our first annual FCNI conference slated for Fall of 2023! It will be held virtually for your convenience. We are planning to send out a request for abstracts if you are interested in presenting some of your faith community work, evidence-based practice (EBP), or research. Stay tuned in for upcoming information!
• Consider running for an office on the Board of Directors. Our Leadership Succession Committee will start recruitment activities for board positions being vacated in December. I will be offering some leadership development sessions on preparing for a leadership role in non-profit organizations.
• We will be conducting a membership recruitment campaign to encourage you to invite friends and colleagues to join FCNI. More information will be forthcoming in the next month!
• You will be receiving a copy of the revised bylaws next month.

Finally, this is a gentle reminder that membership renewal occurs in January. If you forgot to renew, please do so now. If you have recommendations on how we can better serve your needs, please contact me directly at knightenmarylynne@hotmail.com

I'll close with a favorite sacred text:

Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your way acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path." Let's remember to trust God as we engage in our important work this year and set the course for moving our organization forward into the future. I am so blessed to serve with you. Let us continue to put God first to serve our faith communities and surrounding larger communities with love, faith, and compassion.

#byFCNsforFCNs     #byfaithcommunitynursesforfaithcommunitynurses     #calledtoserve

In service,

Mary Lynne