Golden Sneaker Participation Programs / Walk Challenge
GOLDEN SNEAKER AWARD
PURPOSE: To promote healthy congregations, clergy and clergy families of the Western PA United Methodist Conference. “The Power of exercise, both to preserve and restore health, is greater than can well be conceived…” John Wesley, Primitive Physic 1798
WHY: Research tells us that doing so can prevent and reduce the risk of many diseases. “Health lasts a Lifetime. By honoring our stewardship responsibility to this wonderful, God-given creation that we are and by protecting our body, mind and spirit, we renew the gift of life. Our health is our connection…our connection is our Church…our Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Center for Health – General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits.
GOAL: To get everyone in our congregations up and moving to meet the recommended 30 (60 for children) minutes of moderate physical activity at least 5 days/week. Those who enjoy physical activity and have integrated it into their daily schedules are challenged to mentor someone who is not physically active as a great way to “Love your neighbor as yourself”.
WHEN: From July 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012
WHO: Individuals participating in any physical activity PROGRAM/EVENT WHICH IS PROMOTED AND COORDINATED BY THEIR CONGREGATION (ex: Crop Walks, Walk to Jerusalem, or any program you create that is wholistic -- includes physical activity and a spiritual component). Remember that 20 minutes of physical activity = 1 mile.
HOW: A list of various wholistic walking/physical activity programs are listed below or you can create your own. If you create your own wholistic walking program and would like to share it with the rest of the conference please send them to us at healthteam@wpaumc.org and The Health As Wholeness Team will review them and add them to the list of resources below. To report steps/miles accumulated go to Golden Sneaker Walk Challenge and create a log-in ID and password. The Congregation's Coordinator for the walk logs in the congregations total miles for each program no later than 1 week after the program ends. For questions or more information contact us at healthteam@wpaumc.org
1. Walk to Zimbabwe (50 days), Download Free
2. Get My People Going (8 weeks) $35
3. Walk to Bethlehem/Jerusalem (12 weeks), $35
4. Wholistic Holiday Wellness (8 weeks), Download Free
6. Walk to Colombia: The Easter Track (12 weeks)
8.. Walk and Talk: A year-Long Bible Study. Download Free www.hopeandhealing.org
11. Other Wholistic Walk Programs www.chreader.org (Scroll down, on left side click on Areas if Interest, then
click on Walking and Running)
The Health as Wholeness team encourages everyone to participate in physical activities as a means to promote health as wholeness on a daily basis, even when a program has ended.
So get those walking shoes on and clip on your pedometer to help your district win the WPAUMC Golden Sneaker Award! For further information, contract Barb Lewis at healthteam@wpaumc.org or 814-838-1104.