Dear FCNI Members and Friends,

Spring! That time of renewal, fresh starts, new life. Bursting forth from the cold darkness of winter into light.  This is a metaphor for the season of religious renewal we experience with Easter, Ramadan, and Passover. The time when our Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faith traditions converge in remembrance of our shared Abrahamic roots.

The faithful--Christians, Muslims, and Jews--honor the religious holidays with prayer, fasting, and doing good works.

• The season of Lent, from February 14-March 28 is a period of grieving which includes prayer, fasting, alms-giving (sacrifice); sacrifice often takes the form of abstinence of meat on Fridays during Lent or other sacrifices of time, talent, and treasure. Lent culminates in celebration that Jesus, the Christ, has risen on Easter Sunday (March 31, 2024). His sacrifice, once and for all, was necessary to save us from sin.
  
• Ramadan for those of the Islamic faith, occurs March 11-April 9, 2024. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, and Muslims around the world fast every day of this holy month by abstaining from eating and drinking (including water) from dawn until sunset. Ramadan is not only a commemoration of the Qur’an being revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), but fasting is also observed to promote spiritual growth and awaken a greater compassion for those in need. Ramadan is a time marked by worship, spiritual reflection, sharing, and community (various internet sources).
  
• Passover for the Jewish people is April 22-30, 2024 (14-22 Nisan 5784) which remembers the liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt and the “passing over” of the destructive forces which spared the firstborn of the Israelites. April 22^nd is the most important day of the Passover celebration, with the first Sedar dinner occurring after sundown. Foods of symbolic significance commemorating the Hebrews’ liberation are eaten, and prayers are performed. During the week of Passover, only matzo is consumed, allowing fasting from leavened bread.The matzo represents both the Hebrews’ suffering under bondage and the haste with which they left Egypt (Brittanica, 2024).
  

As we recognize the differences, and most importantly, the commonalities of our faith traditions. Let us come together during this time to pray fervently for: the end of oppression (racism, poverty, authoritarianism, slavery, human trafficking, and war), the end of global hunger and food insecurity, and solutions to the climate crisis. As Faith Community Nurses, let us pray for and take action to prevent discrimination, moderate peace, improve health equity, and increase access to healthcare for the underserved and under-resourced. We—our role—has been created for such a time as this.

Image Credit: Teodor Drobata

Mary Lynne
FCNI President

FCNI Annual Virtual Conference – 2024

“Opportunities for Building Spiritual Health in Faith Communities”

Saturday, October 19 from 10 am to 3:30 pm (CT)

Keynote: Dr. Lorraine Wright

“Spirituality, illness suffering, and curious
compassion: What is the connection?”

Plenary speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Johnston Taylor

“Spiritual wellbeing in
the context of chaos”

Feedback from last year’s First Annual FCNI Conference in Fall 2023:

• “This was an excellent conference. I am grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow.”
• “The entire conference was excellent. All the speakers demonstrated expertise in their subjects and adhered to the time allotment. I commend all the FCNI officers and conference organizers for this event. I learned a lot from the presentations and look forward to attending more FCNI activities like this.”
• “Excellent presentations and a variety of topics and speakers. An FCNI member let me know about this conference.” and “Very useful presentations of information.”
• “Very interesting and informative conference. Looking forward to the next one.”

Early Bird through Sept. 15: Members $115; Non-members $165

Regular Rate after Sept. 15: Members $125; Non-members $175

If you join at $50 per year at same time as paying conference registration, you will realize a return on investment immediately - and be eligible for discounted CNE webinars for next 15 months.

Registration Pending

FCNI Events

FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING

Presenting Offer From: Widener University School of Nursing
Presenting By: Dr. Donna Callaghan, PhD, RN-BC, CNE, Professor
Starting Date: May 13, 2024
Closing Date: August 25, 2024
Time: 6 pm to 7 pm Central Time on Zoom

Widener University School of Nursing is offering the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing’s Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Program for registered nurses who are interested in learning more about the specialty of faith community nursing and how to establish or enhance these ministries in their own faith communities (churches, mosques, synagogues).

The asynchronous 36.5 hour online program will open on May 13 and close August 25, 2024. Dr. Donna Callaghan, PhD, RN-BC, CNE, Professor of Nursing at Widener and certified Faith Community Nurse, will facilitate the program. The program consists of 15 modules that require from 1 – 4 hours to complete on a weekly basis. Registered nurses who complete the program will receive 36.5 PDC hours through Widener University School of Nursing, an ANCC-approved PDC provider.

PROGRAM DISCOUNTS!
1. The fee for the program is $400plus purchase of the participant guide (approx. $50).
2. New and renewing members of Faith Community Nurses International (FCNI) can receive a code to take the program at a 50% discount ($200).
3.Please email Donna Callaghan at drdonnarn@comcast.net for registration information.

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