As leaders in The United Methodist Church, we are constantly faced with choices that either enhance or detract from overall health and well-being. When we are not healthy in body, mind and spirit, we are less than what God intended us to be, and less available to do the work to which God has called us. Participants will experience a private journey of self-assessment in all aspects of health, leaving with a self-care covenant and plan for improvement.

During the Self-Care Covenant Workshops, participants will:

• Make the connections among spiritual, mental, social and physical health
• Describe how servant leadership requires self-care
• Experience stress management techniques and learn how to say "no"
• Discuss recommendations for eating, physical activity, water and sleep
• Self-assess current health behaviors and choices
• Develop a self-care covenant with an accountability plan

The workshop was developed and tested in the Kansas conferences. The General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits has recently been licensed as the official distributor of this workshop by the Kansas United Methodist Health Ministry Fund in Hutchinson, Kan.

Who should attend

Participation is open to all (both clergy and laity).

Workshop leadership

The workshop will be led by Judy Johnson from Kansas University School of Medicine, who was one of the leaders to develop the workshop in the Kansas East and West Conferences, and Rev. Tom Mattick, pastor of Daybreak UMC in the Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Schedule

The workshop will begin with an evening meal at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and work will continue until 9 p.m. On Saturday, the workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m., with lunch at noon and adjournment at 3:30 p.m.  Persons are on their own for overnight lodging. However, each Superintendent will be able to provide a number of scholarships for lodging. Those with a financial need should contact their District office.