This Guide was developed by Medical Trust for workplaces — but the ideas here apply to congregational meetings as well.

Scheduling meetings:

• Try to limit the number of meetings that are held on any given day
• When possible, limit meetings to 50 minutes – or less
• For longer meetings, allow for periodic breaks – at least 1/50 minutes
• For shorter meetings – consider walking or standing meetings

Meeting locations:

• Select rooms that can comfortably seat all participants
• Rooms with windows are preferred
• When possible, schedule a meeting outside Conventions and offsite meetings – consider sites that provide healthy food options and opportunities for physical activity

Refreshments:

• Determine which meetings require refreshments – not all meetings do
• Offer healthier food options
• Offer water instead of other beverages
• Try not to schedule meetings over the lunch hour, when possible
• Select a caterer/restaurant who offers healthier options
• Work with groups who prepare food
• Consider dietary restrictions/allergies and preferences

Incorporate movement:

• Encourage movement before, during and after meetings
• Suggest movement that can be done sitting or standing so all employees can be included
• Have employees suggest types of movement to allow fuller participation
• Use ‘icebreakers’ to get increased interaction and creativity

Sustainability:

• Make your meetings green – less paper, less waste
• Recycle cans, bottles, papers, etc.
• Come up with new ideas to make meetings ‘green’

Scheduling Meetings:

When days are filled with one meeting after another it appears that a lot of work is getting done. But if there aren’t breaks in between the meetings and staff has to run from one meeting to the next, most people will hit “meeting burnout”! You may want to set a policy that no more than four meetings (you pick the number) can take place on any given day. Limiting the number of meetings allows staff to work on other projects and to feel more refreshed when meetings are more spread out over the course of a day or a week. Sticking to this policy as much as possible lets staff know you value their work time and don’t want to overload their schedules.

To get more physical activity into your daily lives, you can encourage this at your office by making sure that meetings don’t last more than 50 minutes, or if they are longer than an hour that there is a break time during which movement is encouraged.

If the meeting you are scheduling only involves one or two other staff members, you may want to suggest a walking meeting. On nice days, a walk outside can really be a breath of fresh air and clear your mind while talking about an issue.

Standing meetings are becoming more popular. Standing meetings can be held when there is a short agenda and the meeting won’t last more than a half hour. Because people are standing they are more likely to move through the subject matter more quickly and not get off track.

DOWNLOAD Promoting Healthy Choices at Meetings for more ideas — including a list of healthy food choices.

Answers!

“Our parish nurse taught me how to take the ministry of pastoral care to the next level, by providing care from the moment we receive notice of an illness until the person is back in the pew.”

The Rev. Robin Myers, Sr. Associate Rector, St. Paul’s, Indianapolis, IN

“Parish nurses can get in to see people when clergy can’t. The elderly people in the congregation feel that if the rector comes to their home, they need to be dressed up, and offer tea or sherry. They know nurses have seen them in those ridiculous hospital gowns!…Simply, we’ve saved lives in our blood pressure clinic. No kidding! They went from the church to the E.R… Health ministry has become the locus of a whole group of lay ministers who build a pastoral team…. Also, she can talk about sex in any way and no one takes offense. If I do, they all run for the exits!”

The Rev. Dr. Howard Anderson, when Rector of St. Paul’s, Duluth, MN

“Before E. A. took on the role of Parish Nurse, I was the only person aware of the bigger picture regarding health needs. I was recently informed by my doctor that I needed to stay off my feet for the next ten days. Meanwhile, one church member has returned to the Intensive Care Unit. Another has cancer and is recovering from surgery…. There are many who are home-bound. Without the Parish Health Ministry program, I would be on my own right now to make sure that each of them was being attended. It is such a relief, to be on vacation or whatever, and know that people are still being seen. Thank God for our Health Ministry, and Parish Nurse. I’m not the only one paying attention!”

The Rev. Eric Duff, St. Alban’s Episcopal, Arcata, CA

“Health ministry allows the church to offer a unique service. People can have their health questions answered confidentially and with a real personal interest. When I make a call on parishioners, and they often have questions – maybe about getting home care, or maybe about their medicines. I can say, ‘I’ll have J.W., the parish nurse, give you a call.” She has such a broad knowledge of the health care system.”

The Rev. James M. Sigler, Rector, Emanuel Episcopal Church, Grass Valley, CA

“Having worked with a Health Ministry, if I become a rector, the first person I will hire is a parish nurse. I don’t see how really good pastoral care can happen without one!”

The Rev. Kathy Thomas, after 1 year as Associate Rector, St. Paul’s, Indianapolis, IN

Since calling a parish nurse to join the staff, the gifts and ministries that have sprung forth through the synergy of clergy, our parish nurse and our lay pastoral care team have significantly deepened the whole range of pastoral ministry in our parish. Everyone benefits, young and old alike, those who are well and want to continue to be so, and those struggling with short-term or long-term illness. Perhaps the most crucial population that has benefited in deep ways has been those who are care-givers, and whose significant needs and challenges are often overlooked or forgotten in pastoral ministries. They too have been provided the needed wisdom, fellowship and support to sustain the loving care they provide day in and day out.

The Rev. John Price, Rector, St. Anne’s Parish, Annapolis, MD

Episcopal Health Ministries
9120 Fredrick Road, Ellicott City, Md 21042

nehm@episcopalhealthministries.org

Health & wellness fairs are a cost-effective way of providing valuable health information and screening services for all your employees at a single event. It is also a way to motivate them to make positive health behavior changes and to assume responsibility for their own well being. Successful health & wellness fairs require a good amount of planning, commitment, and dedication. In return, you will be providing people with an opportunity to reevaluate their lifestyles. It is no surprise that healthcare costs are on the rise.

This guide was designed for employees of a church covered by Medical Trust — but the ideas in the Guide work for a Health and Wellness Fair hosted for your members and/or community. You will need to think about agencies and organizations that are willing to provide health and wellness information or advice. Some groups will do blood pressure checks, nutrition advice or exercise instruction.

DOWNLOAD Health and Wellness Fair Planning Guide