SUCCESS STORIES
Do you have a success story? What is your church doing to promote health and wellness? What is working for you, your family, friends or neighbors? We want to hear what is happening around the Conference, to inspire and motivate more people into Holy Healthy action! SUBMIT your success story by clicking HERE>.
Here are some 'Spotlight Churches" in The Arkansas Conference, and what they are doing:
LAKESIDE UMC, LAKE VILLAGE:
"Twice a week we meet at the church for exercise, and on one
of those times we have our blood pressure checked (an RN does this), and
we weigh. This is great fellowship and I see all ages there ...our fearless
leader is pushing us to get stronger and healthier each week."
RUSSELVILLE FUMC, RUSSELLVILLE:
"Our church used the first weeks of the New Year as an opportunity
to give a biblical perspective to New Years resolutions. The sermons focused
on Body, Mind, Spirit, Relationships, our Speech and Financial Health. The
church staff also made resolutions together, and develped a form to guide
us in ways that we could grow. We included four categories: Spiritual, Mental,
Physical, and Relationship."
PULASKI HEIGHTS UMC, LITTLE ROCK:
On Holy Healthy Sunday we included "A HOLY HEALTHY LITANY",
written by Rev. Roy Smith in our worship experience:
Creator God, you created us in your image, breathed
your own life into us
and gave us the gift of life,
And you called it good;
After six days creating; you rested and made the Sabbath day holy,
Once again you called it good;
At Mount Sinai, you gave the people the gift of Sabbath
as part of the
commandments,
We thank you for this gift, O God;
You instructed your people to teach their children,
“To love the Lord your
God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
May we be obedient to this gift of life;
You sent Jesus to free us and make us whole. In his
ministry, Jesus healed
the blind, those who suffered, and raised the dead;
We thank you for Christ’s ministry of healing,
As we claim our heritage of the care of body and
the care of soul, we pray
that our ministry of health and healing, wholeness and wellness and the
commitments we make to love you with our heart, soul, mind and strength
will bring honor to you and your creations.
We give you thanks, O God.
(Rev. Roy Smith has written this Litany for worship on Holy Healthy Sunday at his home church of Pulaski Heights United Methodist, and offers it freely to other congregations to use as part of their own Holy Healthy Sunday celebration, or beyond!)
- Current health and wellness programs at PHUMC:
* Stroller Strides is a total fitness program for moms and babies. Each
1-hour class includes a warm-up and a power walk with stops for body toning.
Stroller Strides supports new moms through play groups and mother &
baby experiences. Classes are at Allsopp Park five days a week.
* Hiking Adventures (monthly): Jan. 26 - Steel Creek to Kyles Landing on Buffalo River, 8 miles, moderate. Enjoy a fabulous scenic spot overlooking the valley. Leave the church at 6 a.m. and return after dark.
* Step Aerobics: Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. at church.
* TaiChi: Thursdays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; no experience is necessary. Dress comfortably.
* Yoga: Tuesdays, 5:30 at church.
* Weight Watchers: A new group starts Feb. 14 - Valentine’s Day. Watching your weight is good for your heart!
* Little Rock Marathon, March 2, 2008.
* Miles for Missions: April 19. Join us for this annual 5K run and 1.5-mile family fun run/walk. Your participation raises awareness and money for mission projects.
- Counseling and Support:
* Stephen Ministers:
Stephen Ministers are trained to be confidential listeners who support and
comfort people in times of need. They are available after the benediction
in
each worship service to talk and pray with you.
* Divorce Recovery Counseling and Support: Watch the Tower newsletter for updated information.
* Cancer Friends & Support Group
Are you and your family dealing with cancer? Would you like a caring
listener who has been through cancer before? We can match both cancer
patients and their family members with Cancer Care team members.
* Al-Anon Meetings:
A support group for families and friends of alcoholics (AFG) meets each
Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., and a Men’s Al-Anon family group (AFG) meets
each Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
* Grief Support Group and Counseling:
When loss overwhelms, help and hope are available. Each Tuesday at 5:30
p.m. a small confidential Grief Support group meets. Individual counseling
is also available.
* Society of St. Stephen:
Do you need a ride to church or the doctor? Would you like to receive
communion at home? Would your loved one like visits and caring at home,
in nursing homes or the hospital?
* Pastoral Counseling:
Pre-marital counseling is available. Also, sometimes the crises of life
call
for help beyond the loving and caring support provided by the Caring
Ministries Network and the Society of St. Stephen. These moments may involve
important decisions, family distress, death and bereavement, job stress,
or any of many stresses life brings. PHUMC pastors and professionals are
available for you, all confidential.
QUAPAW QUARTER UMC, LITTLE ROCK:
"Living the Healthy Holy Life," a series of sermons on
emotional, social, spiritual, financial and physical health, began on Sunday,
February 10 at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church. The sermons were
about choices, balance and a healthy, godly lifestyle.
The well-being of our body, mind, and spirit are interrelated. By making positive lifestyle changes, many health problems can be avoided. The sermons accompanied Lent, a period of time for introspection, self examination and resolution.
FUMC, ARKADELPHIA:
FUMC-Arkadelphia has initiated the following church-wide events:
- Monthly blood pressure clinics.
- Monthly to biweekly health related articles in our church weekly newsletter,
the “Messenger”.
- February: “Strong People Live Well”, a light weight strengthening
program for all ages. It is founded on a program from Tufts University
and encourages a positive self image, weight strengthening through 6 simple
exercises, and sound nutrition. A short devotional is added to the beginning
of the session. Plans are to meet monthly.
- March: Brown bag medication drop in session. This is an individualized
session offered by a Dr. of Pharmacy and an RN to identify medications,
how the medications should be taken, interactions, and ongoing lab work.
A Personal Medication Record will be completed for each individual. We
plan to offer this session twice a year.
- April: “First Thing, is a weight and nutritional program with
a biblical basis. The weekly bible study is combined with a private “weigh-in”
and goal session.
HOLY HEALTHY BLOG
Our goal is to provide new and relevant articles submitted by health professionals and clergy on a regular basis. Check this area for new postings!
NOVEMBER 2007
Dr. Taylor Prewitt, Ft. Smith:
"Getting The Most Out Of Your
Physician Visit"
DECEMBER 2007
Cynthia Pasman Jackson, MSN, RN, FCN:
"Creating a Healthy Holiday Heart"
APRIL 2008
Cynthia Pasman Jackson,
MSN, RN, FCN:
"Medication Safety"