Clergy Care health notes


Being healthier servants
During Lent 2005, Bishop Sally Dyck of the Minnesota Episcopal Area challenged Minnesota Conference clergy members to develop intentionally healthier eating habits.
Instead of giving up something for Lent, Bishop Dyck encouraged clergy members to embrace something—to try eating five to nine servings of plain fruits and vegetables a day.
“At the Ash Wednesday service,” she wrote in the Minnesota Conference newspaper, “I also encouraged clergy to ‘indulge’ in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Lent is like a ‘spiritual spa’ that helps us grow healthier in body, mind and spirit. When we take even a simple walk, invite Jesus to walk with you.”
The bishop added, “I’m not asking clergy to give up a particular food to make sure they eat five to nine of the right ones!”
While the goal wasn’t to get pastors to slim down, Bishop Dyck promised to pay $2 for each pound lost by clergy members during Lent. The money went to missions.
The total number of pounds lost was around 300. Bishop Dyck donated $1,000 to the mission fund.
For more information about Clergy Care, contact the Rev. Rick Waters, director of health and education, at rw-dir.h-ed@ sbcglobal.net or (210) 382-4586.