Dear Lay Leaders and SPPR Chairs of the Arkansas Conference,
According to a recent survey from the United Methodist pension board, over the past decade, the number of clergy reporting “very good” or “excellent” health has seen a steady decline. This is significant, as self-reported health is an important indicator of overall health status. Insights on the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being showed more than half of the clergy reporting adverse effects on social and emotional well-being in particular. You can read more from the Wespath report here.
It takes healthy clergy to lead churches to a healthy place. It takes a partnership between clergy and lay leaders to ensure this is happening. To that end, we are collaborating with the Oklahoma Conference in offering a six-month “Healthy Church Academy” for lay leaders and S/PPRC chairs and members to learn how to better support and encourage our pastors. It will be led by Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, director of Healing and Resilience for Discipleship Ministries at the Upper Room.
The Academy will be held online via ZOOM once per month beginning in September and continuing through February. The sessions will be one hour in length on Monday evenings. Dates include September 16, October 21, November 18, December 16, January 13, and February 17. More information on specific topics can be found in this overview. Bishop Laura Merrill will be a guest on the first session.
All participants will also receive a copy of Rev. Dr. Bell’s book Stories for Another Day: A Journal.
There is no cost to participate, but pre-registration is required.
Please take this time to consider attending this vital webinar series. You can register here, and you will receive a Zoom link after registration, closer to the first webinar in September.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I am always here to help.
With hope,
Amy Ezell
Director of Congregational Vitality and Communications