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MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Mason City church that began its health ministry nearly 20 years ago now offers many wellness programs, including yoga, centering prayer and healing touch.
Trinity Lutheran Church also operates a medical lending closet where people can freely borrow wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches. Its wellness programs offer a holistic approach, promoting wellness of the body, mind and spirit.
Healing touch integrates prayer, the laying-on of hands and anointing with oil to enhance the body's capacity for healing. It is considered complementary therapy to regular care.
Parish nurse Becky Elsbernd told the Mason City Globe Gazette (http://bit.ly/1ImsYhC ) that church members believe their church is called to be a "servant church" and have reached out to the community. Nearly 50 percent of the participants in some programs are not Trinity members.
Elsbernd said the church is seeking to spread the word in the community and wants to promote the activities to health care agencies. The services at Trinity — which recently remodeled an area in the church for wellness activities — are mostly provided for a freewill donation.
"We just want to be one piece of the puzzle," Elsbernd said.
Sharon Lindgren, who recently began participating in the adult fitness class, said she likes it because "it gets you going."
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