Health Fundamentals

February 2010 Special Healthy Congregations Issue
Sections: Funding and Resources | Events

Funding and Resources

Healthy Congregations Covenant deadline is March 1

March 1 is the deadline for submission of reports and/or plans to receive funding through the Healthy Congregations Covenant program. The program offers two participation options to fit churches at different stages of health ministry development and commitment. Both options require churches to send a signed Covenant form in order to qualify for cash payments.

To determine your church's current Covenant status and how the March 1 deadline affects your church, see this page for details.

The Healthy Congregations Covenant program is designed to provide training, funding, and technical support to help Kansas United Methodist churches develop and grow effective, high quality health ministry programs.

Covenant of Participation - Level One
For churches just starting their health ministry programs or not yet ready to make the greater commitment of the Level Two Covenant, Level One participation provides $100 annually with completion of a simple report.

Covenant of Action - Level Two
Level Two participation includes training of a health ministry team and development of an annual work plan. Each church that commits to completing the seven capacity-building core training courses, submitting an annual work plan, and submitting an annual activity report will be awarded a $1,000 “signing bonus” for program and training support.

Once a Level Two team has achieved “certified” status by completing the core courses within 24 months, the church qualifies for $1,000 cash support each subsequent year by submitting a health ministry activity plan and report by the annual March 1 deadline.

Churches signing up as Level 2 participants will receive an initial $1,000 “signing bonus” for training and program support once their completed Covenant form has been accepted. Details of the new Healthy Congregations Covenant program are available on our website.

Events

Register today! Rev. Bill Selby special presentation for Kansas UM clergy April 29

The Rev. Bill Selby, creator of the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rockies will deliver a special presentation, "Anxious Times call for Non-Anxious Leaders," to interested Kansas United Methodist clergy April 29th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rock Springs 4-H Center near Junction City. The presentation addresses issues relating to the anxieties that clergy and church leadership can face from sources both inside and external to the church, and offers Christ-centered techniques for dealing with those anxieties to become a calming influence on the intertwined emotional systems of church, family, and community.

This session, which precedes the Healthy Congregations Retreat, is a separate event for clergy only and is offered free of charge. Lunch will be served at the Rock Springs cafeteria. To participate, register online at healthfund.org. An optional dinner and movie will be available for those planning to stay on for the Healthy Congregations Retreat April 30-May 1.

Register today! Healthy Congregations Retreat April 30-May 1

The ninth annual Healthy Congregations Retreat for United Methodists will be held April 30-May 1, 2010. Register today and look forward to enjoying two days of relaxation, interesting sessions, and networking with friends and peers in the beautiful and peaceful natural setting of Rock Springs 4-H Center, a scenic 735-acre conference site located in the Flint Hills. The retreat is provided free of charge by the Health Fund.

Visit our website to see videos and read comments from participants at previous retreats as they describe the experience in their own words and encourage others not to miss out on this "best-kept secret."

The Rev. Bill Selby is the featured plenary speaker for the 2010 Retreat. Selby is the creator of the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rockies.

The event brings together United Methodists with shared interests in congregational health ministries and the promotion of holistic health and healthy lifestyles. The retreat features a variety of sessions covering the spiritual, mental, physical, and social components of health.

Who should attend the retreat?

United Methodist parish nurses, local pastors, and other laity who are actively involved in congregational health ministries
All who want to initiate new health and wellness ministries in their United Methodist congregations
United Methodist church teams of two or three persons are encouraged to attend for mutual support after returning home

Sessions and workshops offered at this year's Retreat include several of the "Core Courses" needed to fulfill requirements of participation in the Healthy Congregations Level 2 Covenant program.

A $25/person refundable deposit is required for registration; the uncashed deposit check will be returned during check-in.

More event information, including a full schedule and online registration, is available at www.healthfund.org/hcar.php.