July 2026
Submitted by Parish Nurse Jean M. Mau of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois
In honor of America’s 250th Birthday Celebration, the Stateline Nurses Network presented “Heritage of Healing: A Tribute Recognizing Our Veterans, Nurses, and Healthcare Heroes.” It was a true privilege for the Forest City Nurse Honor Guard to participate in this meaningful celebration and to be able to honor those whose devotion to healing helped shape our nation’s history.
Storyteller Lynn Rymarz brought Kristin Hannah’s bestselling novel The Women to life through a moving presentation that honored the courage and sacrifices of military nurses. We remembered the nurses who fought battles with healing instead of weapons, offering comfort and carrying hope into the darkest moments of war. Their service, sacrifice, and compassion remind us that healing is one of the greatest acts of courage, and their legacy will never be forgotten.
Nursing colleagues and Parish Nurses from the LCMS Northern Illinois District (NID) were also in attendance: Sylvia Baker MSN, RN, of St. John Lutheran Church in Pecatonica, Illinois; Dr. Jean M. Mau of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois; and Dr. Marcy Schnorr of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Rochelle, Illinois. Together, these three nurses represent a combined 161 years of service as registered nurses, 61 years as parish nurses, and 20 additional years in social ministry ombudsman work, which served as a forerunner to parish nursing.
Their shared commitment to healing extends beyond local congregations and communities. In January 2026, these three nurses accepted the call to join a team that traveled to Ethiopia to teach parish nursing. Through this effort, 47 nurses and three physicians completed the training and were awarded certificates and parish nurse pins.
As Parish Nurses, their opportunities to serve continue through their congregations, communities, professional work, and the Parish Nurse Advisory Board of Master Builders. Through their years of service, commitment to parish nursing, and willingness to teach and serve abroad, these nurses carry forward a legacy of healing, compassion, and faith-filled care.
We are appreciative of the rich history of nursing in our country, both in times of war and peace, and we give thanks for the Parish Nurses of the NID.
