Healthy Congregations Retreat, April 26-28
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- About the 2012 Retreat
- Full Schedule
- Covenant Core Training
It's our treat! - the Retreat, including all food, lodging, and materials, is provided free of charge through the sponsorship of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.
The 11th annual Healthy Congregations Retreat for Kansas United Methodists will be April 27-28, 2012 in the beautiful Flint Hills setting of Rock
Springs 4-H Center near Junction City. 
Additional Pre-Retreat Healthy Congregations Covenant core training classes are offered April 26 starting at 1 p.m. (see Full Schedule or Covenant Core Training tab above for details). We hope you'll plan to attend - register today to reserve your place!
The Retreat, part of the Health Fund's Healthy Congregations program, brings together Kansas United Methodists who share an interest in congregational ministries of health and healing integrating the spiritual, physical, mental, and social facets of health for lives of Christ-centered wellness and joy. This year, we are very fortunate to have Robin Swift, MPH, leader of the Duke Divinity School Clergy Health Initiative as our featured keynote presenter.
Key benefits for participants
- Discover ways churches can advance health, healing, and wholeness in the congregation, the local community, and beyond.
- Complete training courses for Healthy Congregations Covenant program certification.
- Learn how churches can promote lifestyles of healthy activity and food choices
- Gain useful information about current health ministries in Kansas UM churches
- Network with others who share a passion for congregational health ministries
- Gain renewed personal energy in a scenic retreat setting
- Receive clergy and health professional CEUs
About keynote presenter Robin Swift
Robin Swift, MPH, is the keynote presenter for the 2012 Retreat. Robin leads the Clergy Health Initiative at Duke Divinity School, an innovative program to improve the holistic health of United Methodist Clergy.
Robin trained as a public health educator, trainer, program manager and massage therapist, and has been a direct care provider in clinical and complementary medicine. A passionate advocate for health care services that respect the needs of patients and providers, she has assisted a World Health Organization effort to develop and disseminate the concept of decent care, to restore individuals and groups to their rightful place at the center of health care service design and delivery.
A Duke University employee since 2000, Robin brings her deep understanding of the health issues facing our church and a strong interest in fostering health behavior change for greater effectiveness in ministry through personal well-being and wholeness.
Sessions scheduled at the 2012 Retreat
Most retreat sessions include practical information you can take home and use in your health ministry program right away. Please see the Full Schedule tab above or download the printable retreat brochure for more details about the 2012 sessions and activities.
Who should attend the Retreat?
Preferably, a church team of two or more should attend the for mutual support after returning home. The Retreat is especially helpful for parish nurses, pastors, and laity actively involved in congregational health ministry, or who would like to initiate new health & wellness ministries in their congregations, but the event is something that all Kansas United Methodists can enjoy. Members of Healthy Congregations Covenant teams will find the Retreat a great place to complete training courses and network with their peers.
The Retreat is a relaxing, informational, and fun event in a beautiful natural setting, and is provided free of charge by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. Register online today to reserve your place!
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2012 Healthy Congregations Retreat Schedule
Thursday, April 26 Optional Pre-Retreat sessions:
Healthy Congregations Covenant program Core Training Courses
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Health Ministry 101 (Covenant core)
Judy Johnston, MS RD/LD, KU School of Medicine - Wichita
>This introductory course includes Covenant Program orientation, team-building in a church setting, and congregational self-assessment
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Program Evaluation and Using Data (Covenant core)
Kurt Konda MA, KU School of Medicine - Wichita
>Introduction to evaluation methods, tools, and questions; using evaluation templates; and techniques for analyzing and interpreting collected data
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Volunteer Recruitment and Retention (Covenant core)
Judy Johnston
>Techniques for identifying potential volunteers, recruitment techniques, tips for retaining volunteers over time, and use of learning styles assessment tools to assist in development of functional teams.
Friday, April 27
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Registration and Refreshments
Opening Plenary Sessions:
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
Kim Moore, President, United Methodist Health Ministry Fund
10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Opening Worship
Rev. Larry Harvey
10:45 - 11:45 Keynote "Congregations and Pastors - Creating Health for Ministry"
Robin Swift MPH, Health Programs Director, Duke Divinity Clergy Wellness Initiative
12:00 - 12:45 Lunch
Afternoon Concurrent Sessions Block 1:
Note: during each two-hour block, choose either 1 two-hour session or 2 one-hour sessions.
1:00 - 3:00 (2 hour) Program Options and Planning Events (Covenant core) 1:00 - 3:00 (2 hour) Good Food That's Good For You |
1:00 - 2:00 Saving Soles, Healthy Feet
Evelyn Mathews RN, First UMC Newton
>Servant Leadership through foot care, with live technique demonstrations
1:00 - 2:00 Organizing Spiritual and Health Retreats
Rev. Billie Blair, Director, Tallgrass Retreat Center
>Discuss the role of retreats, how retreats differ from other events, and how to organize spiritual and health retreats in your congregation and community
2:10 - 3:10 Holy Yoga
Rev. Amy Bowers, First UMC Salina
>Learn and dialog about the many health benefits of Christ-centered Yoga in this hands-on session; bring your exercise mat with you, or try chair Yoga
2:10 - 3:10 Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives:
An Introduction to Mental Health First Aid
Karen Smothers LSCSW, Pawnee Mental Health Services
>Mental and emotional crises are more prevalent than heart disease and cancer combined - learn now Mental Health First Aid can help members of faith communities recognize warning signs and assist those in crisis.
Afternoon Concurrent Sessions Block 2:
Note: during each two-hour block, choose either 1 two-hour session or 2 one-hour sessions.
3:30 - 5:30 (2 hour) Group Facilitation Techniques (Covenant core) 3:30 - 5:30 (2 hour) Good Food That's Good For You |
3:20 - 4:20
Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives:
An Introduction to Mental Health First Aid
Karen Smothers LSCSW, Pawnee Mental Health Services
>Mental and emotional crises are more prevalent than heart disease and cancer combined - learn now Mental Health First Aid can help members of faith communities recognize warning signs and assist those in crisis.
3:20 - 4:20 Holy Yoga
Rev. Amy Bowers, First UMC Salina
>Learn and dialog about the many health benefits of Christ-centered Yoga in this hands-on session; bring your exercise mat with you, or try chair Yoga
4:30 - 5:30 Organizing Spiritual and Health Retreats
Rev. Billie Blair, Director, Tallgrass Retreat Center
>Discuss the role of retreats, how retreats differ from other events, and how to organize spiritual and health retreats in your congregation and community
4:30 - 5:30 Saving Soles, Healthy Feet
Evelyn Mathews RN, First UMC Newton
>Servant Leadership through foot care, with live technique demonstrations
Evening Activities
5:30 - 6:30 Dinner
7:30 Evening Vespers
Frederick A. Krebs, Professor of American History, Johnson County Community College
>"William Allen White's Heartland Values"
Saturday, April 28
6:30 - 7:15 a.m. Early Bird Group Walk (optional)
7:15 - 8:00 Breakfast
Saturday Plenary Sessions:
8:10 - 8:25 Morning Worship
Rev. Larry Harvey
8:30 - 9:30 Panel Discussion on Clergy Wellness
Robin Swift, Susan Harvey, and Clergy Wellness Program coaches Angela Hayes and Jeanne Erikson
9:30 - 9:45 Kansas Area Health & Wellness Committee Updates
Morning Concurrent Sessions:
Note: during this two-hour block, choose either 1 two-hour session or 2 one-hour sessions.
10:00 - noon (2 hour) Health Communications and Marketing (Covenant core) |
9:50 - 10:50
Stroke Symptoms, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment
Shirley Black ARNP-C, Howard UMC
>How to recognize the early signs of stroke, what to do if stroke occurs, and ways to help prevent strokes from happening
9:50 - 10:50 Keeping the Faith: Injury Prevention Throughout the Lifespan
Cherie Sage, Director, KDHE SafeKids Program
>Learn ways to help prevent injuries at all stages of life, from childhood through the senior years
9:50 - 10:50 Healthy Congregations Covenant Program Spotlight
Annette Wilson, Hiawatha First UMC
Teddy Williamson, Hoisington First UMC
>Hear about and discuss health ministry work being done in Kansas UMCs with members of Healthy Congregations Covenant teams
11:00 - noon Keeping the Faith: Injury Prevention Throughout the Lifespan
Cherie Sage
>Learn ways to help prevent injuries at all stages of life, from childhood through the senior years
11:00 - noon Healthy Congregations Covenant Program Spotlight
>Hear about and discuss health ministry work being done in Kansas UMCs with members of Healthy Congregations Covenant teams
11:00 - noon Stroke Symptoms, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment
Shirley Black, ARNP-C
>How to recognize the early signs of stroke, what to do if stroke occurs, and ways to help prevent strokes from happening
12:15 - 1:00 Closing Luncheon
Afternoon Optional Sessions:
1:00 - 3:00 Outcomes-Based Planning (Covenant core)
Judy Johnston
>Introduction to the socio-ecological model and its use for planning, along with worksheets, instructions, examples, and assistance in developing outcomes-based plans for effective health ministries
1:00 - 4:30 Faithfully Fit Forever Leader Training
Susan Harvey, PT
>Faithfully Fit Forever is a faith community based exercise, devotion, and health education program focusing on the mind-body-spirit connection. This training will prepare participants to start or lead FFF programs at their churches. Please note that separate registration is required for the FFF Leader Training session.
Healthy Congregations Covenant Program Core Training Courses
For the first time, in 2012 we are offering all seven of the required Covenant core training courses at the Retreat. The courses fulfill the team training requirements of the Healthy Congregations Covenant program, which provides resources, access to expert help and advice, and $1000 in annual funding support for your church's health ministry work.
The 2012 Retreat represents an excellent opportunity for new churches to join in the Covenant program, or for existing participants to complete the core training or get new team members up to speed in a short time. If you are able to participate from 1 p.m. Thursday through 3 p.m. Saturday, you can complete all required courses and achieve certification in the Covenant program.
Thursday, April 26 Optional Pre-Retreat sessions:
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Health Ministry 101 (Covenant core)
Judy Johnston, MS RD/LD, KU School of Medicine - Wichita
>This introductory course includes Covenant Program orientation, team-building in a church setting, and congregational self-assessment
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Program Evaluation and Using Data (Covenant core)
Kurt Konda MA, KU School of Medicine - Wichita
>Introduction to evaluation methods, tools, and questions; using evaluation templates; and techniques for analyzing and interpreting collected data
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Volunteer Recruitment and Retention (Covenant core)
Judy Johnston
>Techniques for identifying potential volunteers, recruitment techniques, tips for retaining volunteers over time, and use of learning styles assessment tools to assist in development of functional teams.
Friday, April 27
1:00 - 3:00 Group Facilitation Techniques (Covenant core)
Judy Johnston MS RD/LD, KU School of Medicine - Wichita
>Practice techniques for convening groups and effectively managing productive meetings, facilitating from the chair, leading groups in planning and consensus building, and developing leadership among committee members
3:30 - 5:30 Group Facilitation Techniques (Covenant core)
Judy Johnston MS RD/LD, KU School of Medicine - Wichita
>Practice techniques for convening groups and effectively managing productive meetings, facilitating from the chair, leading groups in planning and consensus building, and developing leadership among committee members
Saturday, April 28
10:00 - noon Health Communications and Marketing (Covenant core)
Judy Johnston MS RD/LD, KU School of Medicine - Wichita
>Practice techniques for convening groups and effectively managing productive meetings, facilitating from the chair, leading groups in planning and consensus building, and developing leadership among committee members
1:00 - 3:00 Outcomes-Based Planning (Covenant core)
Judy Johnston
>Introduction to the socio-ecological model and its use for planning, along with worksheets, instructions, examples, and assistance in developing outcomes-based plans for effective health ministries