Health Fundamentals Newsletter
An online newsletter published by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.
Special Issue, February 2006
Healthy Congregations
Working together with local United Methodist churches for a healthy Kansas
Healthy Congregations Recognition Reports Due March 1
The Healthy Congregations Recognition program,
now in its tenth year, highlights what churches are doing to
nurture, reach out, and educate through ministries of health,
healing, and wholeness. Healthy Congregations Recognition also
provides a way for churches to share their health work with others,
encouraging and inspiring the growth of congregational health
programs.
All congregations meeting the basic requirements of the Healthy Congregations Recognition Program receive a free health resource and recognition at the Healthy Congregations Annual Retreat and at the Kansas East and Kansas West Annual Conferences. Six congregations can also receive a $1,500 Healthy Congregations of the Year award for outstanding health and wellness ministries.
More information about Healthy Congregations Recognition, including report forms for 2005 activities, is available on the Health Fund website at http://www.healthfund.org/hc.php.
Completed reports must be submitted online or mailed by March 1, 2006.
5th Annual Healthy Congregations Annual Retreat, April 7-8
The
2006 Healthy Congregations Annual Retreat for United Methodists
will be April 7-8 at Rock Springs 4-H Center. Register today
to reserve your place - attendance is free, but spaces are limited.
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. Registration deadline is March 27.
Who should attend the retreat?
- United Methodist parish nurses, local pastors, and other laity who are actively involved in congregational health ministries
- Those who want to initiate new health and wellness ministries in their congregations
- Church teams of two or three persons are encouraged to attend for mutual support after returning home
Kansas United Methodist Bishop Scott Jones will deliver two keynote addresses at the event.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available to clergy and health professionals. To view the retreat schedule or download a pdf version of the retreat brochure, click here.
Key benefits for participants:
- Discover ways congregations can advance health, healing, and wholeness within and beyond the local church
- Learn what some churches are doing to increase healthy lifestyles of Kansans through physical activity and healthy food choices
- Gain useful information about current health ministries in Kansas United Methodist congregations
- Network with others who have similar interests and motivations toward congregational health ministries
- Find renewed personal energy in a scenic retreat setting
Healthy Congregations Grants Request for Proposals Extended
The Health Fund has extended its Healthy Congregations Grants
Request for Proposals (RFP) through December 31, 2006.
The Healthy Congregations Grants RFP makes one-time grants of up to $5,000 available to Kansas United Methodist churches to stimulate comprehensive ministries of health and wellness. Projects funded will emphasize wellness, prevention, volunteer caregiving, social support, and congregational health education and awareness. Examples of such ministries include parish nursing and health promotion projects. Grant funding is not intended for projects focused on a single disease, disability, or health issue.
See the grant application procedure article below or visit the Health
Fund website for application information.