Health and Pension Resources


Retirement/Financial Planning for New Clergy Seminar

Clergy age 62 or older or have 35 years of service and their spouses and new clergy with 10 years of service and their spouses are invited to attend a joint seminar Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1621 Superior St., Lincoln. For more information and how to register for the event, please click on the link below.

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The first picture is before Weight Watchers. The second is after.
Encouragement from one who's been there . . .

My name is Dan Spearow. Many of you know me through my work as Local Pastor Registrar for the Board of Ordained Ministry. For a number of years I have struggled with some of the health issues many pastors face. I enjoyed all of the potluck dinners and life events that we celebrate in the church, such as weddings, anniversaries, confirmation dinners, and holiday meals.

For the past several years I have participated in the Health Quotient provided by the General Board of Pension and Health. Last year at Annual Conference, I had my blood test as did many of you. This time it showed a number of issues that I considered to be potentially life-threatening. I took the information to my physician, and he prescribed medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol. I knew my weight had something to do with these issues as well. My wife, Nancy, and I joined Weight Watchers in August 2007 after receiving information about the plan provided to HealthFlex participants.

With the information from the blood screening and regular checks on my blood pressure to guide my doctor, I have been successfully treated for both my blood pressure and high cholesterol. After a year on Weight Watchers, I lost 30 pounds, and Nancy lost 35 pounds. We both achieved lifetime membership, and we are continuing with the program. We walk together regularly and focus on eating a healthy diet. Changing to a healthy lifestyle isn't always easy, but it has incredible rewards. Once the change is made, it is much easier to maintain.

The process of harming my health didn't happen overnight. I knew it wouldn't change for the better overnight. I now get more regular exercise. I have changed to much healthier eating habits. With medication I have lowered my blood pressure to the normal range and dropped my cholesterol by thirty points. I feel better, and many members of my congregations have noticed the change in Nancy's and my appearance and energy level. Now we both look forward to a much longer and healthier life.

If you have not started to participate in the programs our Conference and denomination offer to help you lead a healthier lifestyle, do it now. Do it for your family and your ministry.

In Christ's love,
Daniel E. Spearow


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The Rev. Cynthia Stewart
Confessions of a clergy member on Weight Watchers

When I attended annual conference in June 2007, I took advantage of the health screening. Even though my cholesterol numbers and blood pressure numbers were good, I found out that I was at high risk for stroke and heart attack due to another factor. As I talked with my primary doctor about this, the recommendation was to lose some of my "winter" weight that wasn't coming off, get in shape, and establish better eating habits as preventive care.

Weight Watchers was appealing to me because of the discounted rate for clergy. I went through the General Board of Health & Pensions Web site to sign up. When I considered the limited schedule of meetings in my area, I knew that I had to find another alternative. The online version of Weight Watchers seemed like a good fit−I could track my weight, list my food "points," and participate in the online community boards with other busy people like me.

I would be lying if I said that the first few weeks were not frustrating for me−I was starving! All I could think about was food! Suddenly, I began to understand why I couldn't keep the weight off−I was thinking about food and indulging in my cravings when I was busy, tired or stressed out. In the first few weeks of Weight Watchers, the weight came off so easily!

Weight Watchers has taught me about portion control and what foods are better than others for filling me up. Weight Watchers has also taught me about the importance of drinking water and eating fruits and vegetables! Through the plateaus, I have learned that I need to be faithful to my "plan," (I count food points every day) but I can indulge every once in a while. In fact, I can reward myself with very rich food, but a little less than before. Let's face it: churches have potlucks, funeral dinners and wedding receptions, and pastors eat out often and in the car! I can still do all of that with some self-control and planning my days accordingly.

I reached my goal weight loss of 24 lbs. at the end of June. Now I will focus on how to maintain my weight. I'm not worried because I know that I have the best resources to help me to achieve my goals.

UPDATE
This year when I received my report after the health screening at annual conference, I learned that my hs-CRP (reactive protein) is normal! Weight loss decreased my risk.

Weight Watchers' Web site says, "Stop dieting. Start living." I believe that Weight Watchers works because this program helps you to personally find the right balance of food and exercise to help you to lose weight. Thus far, I have been supported through the online community, and the tools have encouraged me to reward myself along the way! The best reward has been to put my health first and by doing that, I feel much better about myself, and I have more energy to be a better mother, wife and pastor.

May God bless your endeavors to live healthy!

Cynthia Stewart

Stanton and Pilger United Methodist Churches