By Chris Wachholz
R.N., B.S.N., M.B.A.
In my work as an RN at Peace Island’s Family Medicine clinic I encounter people who struggle with big life challenges, whether it be an illness or injury, depression, grief or anxiety.
In my own life’s personal struggles, I’ve found counseling and sometimes medication support by my doctor to be useful – but what I’ve found most helpful was joining a group of Christian men and participating in a church.
People regularly come to our clinic with limited or non-existent family or social support and no foundation in a faith community or prayer practice.
Some believe church goers are hypocritical and judgmental or they’ve felt harm from childhood religious experiences. . This is not the norm. . One has only to look at all the work people of all faiths have provided over centuries; providing healthcare, building schools and hospitals, and so much more, -frequently when local government is unable. Individual faith leaders worldwide provide support for many who grieve or feel lost.
We’re blessed in our San Juan Islands by the abundance of caring, kindhearted and generous people.
But – those of us in healthcare,, law-enforcement and EMS know that drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and other human sorrows and challenges exist, even though less prevalent than on the Mainland.
What I believe and have observed in my nurse work however is that a relationship with a higher power and involvement in a community of faith can be a powerful antidote to loneliness and hopelessness.
At PeaceHealth, support for spiritual needs is part of our mission to provide excellent, wholistic health care for every patient regardless of religious practice and preferences. There are numerous faith communities on San Juan Island, and most are listed below.
I encourage you to visit any of them. Be curious and open to the possibility that this may help you with what is challenging in your life today. I have witnessed the difference between those facing illness, injury, depression and anxiety – who have a Spiritual connection – and those who do not. Often, it’s a life with hope and strength versus one of struggle and despair.
Friday Harbor Presbyterian
425 Spring Street. Service 10 a.m. Sunday 360-378-4544
https://www.fridayharborpres.org/
St Francis Parrish
Catholic Church 425 Price Street, Saturday 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.360-378-2910 https://stfrancissji.org/
Christ the King
265 Price Street.Service at Sunday 9:30 a.m. 360-216-7336https://ctkfridayharbor.churchcenter.com/pages/home
Islands Community Church
127 Gilbert Lane. Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday 360- 378-4154https://www.islandscc.org/
Christian Science Society
506 Guard Street. Service 10 a.m. Sunday 360-378-4773 https://christiansciencefridayharbor.org/
Calvary San Juan
620 Guard Street Two services on Sunday, 8:30 and 10 a.m. 360-378-7268 https://www.calvarysanjuan.org/
Assembly of God of San Juan
687 Airport Center. Sunday 10 a.m. 360-378-2789
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1013 Lampard Road 360-378-4162https://local.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/us/wa/friday-harbor/
Friday Harbor Seventh-day Adventist
76 Gilbert Lane. Saturday 11 a.m. 360-378-4164 https://www.islandsadventist.org/
St Davids Episcopal
760 Park Street. Sunday 9:30 a.m. 360-378-5360 https://www.saintdavidsepiscopal.org/
Lutheran Church of the San Juans
Meets at St. David’s Episcopal Church 760 Park St. Sunday at 11 a.m. https://www.lutheransanjuans.org/
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
3225 Malcolm Street 360-378-2861 https://www.jw.org/en/
Sakya Kachod Choling (Buddhist retreat center)
360-378-4059www.sakya.org
San Juan Island Quakers
Meets for silent worship Sundau 10 a.m. atFamily Resource Center, 476 Market Street.
*No services were found for Islam or Judaism on San Juan Island.
