Healthy Congregations Recognition

Overview

The Healthy Congregations Recognition program, in existence for 13 years running, recognizes what Kansas United Methodist congregations are doing to nurture, reach out and educate through ministries of health, healing and wholeness. In addition to recognition, Healthy Congregations seeks to share examples of creative and unique health ministries to help inspire and encourage health activities throughout Kansas United Methodist Churches. For a searchable list of recognized congregations and highlighted activities for all years since the program's beginning, visit the Healthy Congregations Hall of Fame.

The Healthy Congregations Recognition program is a part of the Health Fund's Healthy Congregations initiative, which includes Healthy Congregations Grants, the Healthy Congregations Retreat, and support for Healthy Congregations in Action, an initiative of the Kansas Area Healthy Lifestyles Advisory Committee.

Congregations are invited annually to submit reports about their health ministries. Congregations meeting the program requirements receive recognition and a choice of free health resource to further their work. Six congregations (three each from the Kansas West and Kansas East Conferences) demonstrating exceptional health ministry integrating the spiritual, physical, mental/emotional, and social dimensions of holistic health can receive $1,500 Healthy Congregation of the Year awards.

Awards are announced at the Healthy Congregations Retreat and all Healthy Congregations will be recognized at the Annual Conferences. Additionally, churches' health ministries receive recognition in the Healthy Congregations Hall of Fame. The searchable Hall of Fame lists every church which has participated in Healthy Congregations Recognition over the program's existence, and every highlighted activity which has appeared in a Healthy Congregations brochure. It's a great place to find out what your church has done and to get ideas and inspiration for new health ministries you can start!