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Clergy Development/Wellness
"The path of spiritual growth is a path of lifelong learning" - M. Scott Peck
God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell us in love - like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. - Ephesians 4:15 (The Message)
 Rev. Teresa G. Welborn
Dear Friends:
Grace and peace to you! Welcome to this webpage for Clergy Development and Wellness. It is with great joy that I extend a word of thanksgiving to all our clergy in the San Antonio Episcopal Area. For the hours you put in, for the love you give, for your ministry that makes a difference - thank you! As the Southwest Texas Conference and Rio Grande Conference are in the process of uniting, I join you in praying for the Implementation Team as they meet and for our churches, clergy, and the persons God is sending our way. The creation of a new conference is a great joy. God makes all things new!
Those of us who work in and for the church know that ministry brings gifts and joys like no other profession. We also know that at times there are unique stresses and challenges unlike any other profession. In the midst of caring for others, it is sometimes difficult to take care of ourselves. With changes taking place in the culture and church, it is more important than ever for clergy to exercise the best self-care possible. Just as we take responsibility for our professional development, we are invited to nurture our personal relationships, our relationship with God, and to take care of ourselves body, mind, and spirit.
Below you will find more information about the Clergy Wellness program. Being an active participant in the program will be most helpful in achieving your health goals. Our lives are enriched when we work towards a healthy lifestyle. So many things in life are beyond our control, but our ability to make healthy choices is always within our reach.
The Clergy Wellness Program is here to support and encourage you in your efforts as you work towards living a well balanced and healthy life. Your participation is appreciated!
Here you will also find information regarding continuing education events sponsored by our office as well as other resources. The information is always a work in progress, so be mindful of checking with various centers regarding their offerings and schedule. If you are aware of an event you believe should be advertised here, contact me at twelborn@umcswtx.org.
Take care!
God’s peace,
Teresa
Rev. Teresa G. Welborn
Executive Director of the Office for Clergy Development
Rev. Teresa G. Welborn
twelborn@umcswtx.org
(210) 408-4500
Clergy Development Grants
In collaboration with the Episcopal Office and Assistant to the Episcopal Office, the Office of the Clergy Development has changed the grant process effective January 1, 2013. The past process of individual clergy applying for grants is being phased out so that Methodist Healthcare Ministry Grant funds can be used most effectively for the benefit of more clergy. The vision is to use funds to bring quality continuing education consultants to the San Antonio Episcopal Area and to provide resources so that the Bishop, Assistant to the Episcopal Office, and District Superintendents are able to support clergy continuing education and professional development needs. If you have any questions, contact Executive Director, Rev. Teresa G. Welborn at twelborn@umcswtx.org or call (210)408-4500, Ext. 511.
CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLERGY
Listed below are some of the resources available to clergy for continuing education. For more information click on link above.
- Quality institutes with a variety of Seminars and/or Resources
- Conference and Retreat Centers
- Preaching and Worship
- Healthy Church Iniciative
- Large Church Institute
- Family Systems
- Churches with Continuing Education Events/or Resources
- Spiritual Formation
- Helpful Websites
- Marriage Enrichment
- Assessment Tools
For the Staff Supervision Workshop, San Antonio Area Bible Study and Spanish Classes for Clergy, please scroll down on this webpage. You can find more details of the events below.
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Clergy Care Wellness
2013 Clergy Wellness Program
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The Clergy Care Wellness Program is a part of HealthFlex and is the Benefit plan sponsored by the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church. There are several components to the program and a variety of ways and levels at which to participate. Find more on components such as the Blueprint for Wellness screening, Virgin Health Miles, the Health Quotient Health Risk Assessment below. For many of these components, there are incentives that reward you for your participation. In addition to the components from HealthFlex, a weight loss component is offered and made possible by our partners at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. This is the first time an outcomes-based incentive has been offered in our conference. Details on the weight loss program are below as well. Also, look for the “Five Dimensions of Health” from the Center for Health at GBOPHB. Find more at www.gbophb.org or contact The Office of Clergy Development at (210) 408-4551.
Learn about programs offered by the Center for Health, including: VirginMiles, Blueprint for Wellness diagnostic screenings, WebMD coaching, an employee assistance program and the HealthQuotient health risk assessment. These programs are designed for sponsorship by annual conferences or other United Methodist –affiliated organizations. Two-thirds of the annual conferences in the UMC already sponsor one or more of these programs!
Important Wellness Program timelines to remember:
BluePrint Wellness – Incentive Window: April 1– July 31 ($100.00)
*Health Quotient – Incentive Window: August 1 – September 30
*(failure to complete Health Quotient can result up to an additional $500.00 deductible increase in 2014 -$250.00 per individual or $500.00 per couple if both fail to complete the HQ).
Virgin Health Miles - Incentives $25.00 per quarter, plus bonus for meeting 3 quarterly goals
Take Action (All year)
- Web MD Coaching - Incentive: 25 Points per call, yearlong
- EAP - Confidential
- Evive Health Reminders - reminders of important preventive screenings or task to manage Chronic Condition
- Weight Watchers - Discounts 50% cost sharing
- Pastoral Consultation Line
For more detailed information on each progam offered by the Health Center, click on the links below:
VirginMiles
An interactive walking program with an uploadable step tracker and online activity tracking, designed to increase physical activity-one of the best “medicines” around.
Blueprint for Wellness
Onsite and local blood and biometric screenings provide a baseline for current indicators for individuals and aggregate information for conferences and organizations.
HealthQuotient Health Risk Assessment
Online health questionnaire provides a baseline for current health and health risk status for individuals and aggregate information and organizations; integrates with Blueprint for Wellness and health coaching.
WebMD
Telephonic, “Whole-person: health coaches guide individuals in taking the next steps towards making healthy changes, employing evidence-based behavior change and motivational interviewing techniques.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employee assistance programs are designed to help individuals manage issues that arise in their personal or professional lives that may impact their ability to perform their work or ministry at the level that they normally would if not for the personal /professional issues.
WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE?
*Clergy that are healthy in body, mind and spirit promote healthy churches.
*You feel more energized and active.
*You lower your risk of getting sick.
*People who exercise regularly are more likely to report having an optimistic outlook on life than those who do not exercise regularly.
*Maintaining good health minimizes the amount of money you will spend on out of pocket medical bills.
*When we keep our medical premiums from going up, we work together to keep health claims down. As a result, our health lifestyle keeps the cost of healthcare down.
*Two of the greatest risks to clergy health include being overweight and depression.
*Scripture reminds us to take care of ourselves: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. - I Corinthians 6:19-20
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WEIGHT LOSS INCENTIVE
In addition to the components and incentives offered through HealthFlex, the Weight Loss Incentive is available to clergy who have a need and desire to lose weight. All clergy who are on the Conference Health Insurance who are appointed full-time or 3/4 time can participate. The program is based on the Body Mass Index (BMI). To participate in this incentive, complete the registration form provided. Enrollment in the Clergy Wellness Weight Loss Program is open from April through July. Participants will self-report their BMI given at their Blue Print for Wellness lab screening. Participants will have until December 10, 2013 to report their new BMI by submitting a reporting form, also provided here. Those participants lowering their BMI will receive $40 for every point their BMI value lowers. The incentives are based on the lowered BMI points beginning at time of enrollment in the program from April -July 2013 and through December 10, 2013. Note: In keeping with standard practices in assessing BMI values, funds will not be awarded for a BMI below 25. Because funding for this program comes from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, reporting to The Office of Clergy Development on the BMIs is required in keeping with productivity reporting requirements. All reporting to The Office of Clergy Development will be kept in confidence. Total number of pounds lost among clergy participating will be celebrated, but never will names be used. Note: For those clergy that wish to participate in the Clergy Wellness Weight Loss Program, but do not use the blueprint for wellness BMI figure will be required to turn in a completed Physician’s Confirmation Form with the ending BMI figure at time of reporting. The time frame window for enrolling in the Wellness Weight Loss Incentive Program is the same as for Blueprint for Wellness, April – July and reporting the ending BMI by no later than December 10 th, 2013. Physician Confirmation Form Other resources: To find a BMI Chart & Calculator visit: http://www.healthdiscovery.net/links/calculators/body_massindex_chart.htm For more information on Weight Loss visit the General Board of Pension Health Benefits webpage: Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-Loss Program
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FIVE DIMENSIONS of HEALTH
Physical health is important, but it is not the only component of overall well-being. The Center for Health recognizes and seeks to improve five dimensions of health and well-being: physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial. The health also recognizes that each of the dimensions is inter-related.
Health affects the whole United Methodist connection: family, congregation, community and the broader Church itself. When you are healthy in all five dimensions, you are more effective in you pursuits. When one or more of the dimensions is impaired, your overall health and vitality suffer and your ability to thrive is diminished. Poor health may interfere with your ability to answer the call to serve God and your community.
Typically, individuals are healthier in some areas than others. Research suggests that improving health in any one dimension can have a positive influence on health in the other dimension. It’s best to focus on one or two dimensions of health for improvement, adding goals for other dimensions over time.
Learn more about the five dimensions of health and ways to maintain or improve your own health in each dimension:
Physical, Emotional , Spiritual , Social and Financial
Article: Thirteen Factors That Influence Clergy Health and the Five Dimensions of Health
Church Systems Task Force- 13 Factors that Influence Clergy Health
Wellness Resources List
Health and Wellness Articles
ARTICLES: Stages of Change , Strategies for Change and Overcoming Barriers to Change
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Staff Supervision Workshop
Led by Alban Institute Consultant
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 Susan Beaumont
Staff Supervision Workshop Registration Form & Brochure
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San Antonio Area Bible StudyAugust 13 - 15, 2013
Mount Wesley Conference Center in Kerrville, TX
The Office of Clergy Development is please to announce Dr. Brent A. Strawn as the teacher for the annual Bible study that will be held in August of 2013 at the Mount Wesley Conference Center. Dr. Strawn is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia. He has a special interest in ancient Near Eastern inconography, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Israelite religion, legal traditions and theology of the Old Testament. Dr. Strawn is widely published and serves as a lead commentator on religious issues for CNN. The Bible Study will focus on Dr. Strawn's lastest book entitled The Old Testament is Dying: A Diagnosis and Recommended Treatment. In the study, he will focus on the Psalms. Dr. Strawn is knowledgeable and engaging. He is an ordained elder in the Church of Nazarene.
Plan to join this exciting Bible study! For more details about the bible study and for registation information, please click on the link below.
San Antonio Area Bible Study Brochure and Registration Form
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Spanish Classes for Clergy
Orientation: Monday, April 29 at 7:00 PM
St. Mark’s UMC in San Antonio
The growing Latino and Hispanic population in our South Texas cities and towns as well as unification talks between the Rio Grande and Southwest Texas Conferences has led many of our clergy to inquire about Spanish language classes. Spanish is a tremendous gift as we seek to build relationships with our neighbors and connect with the mission field. The Office of Clergy Development is excited to share with clergy in the San Antonio Episcopal Area an opportunity to participate in Spanish classes. Interested clergy in the San Antonio area are invited to attend an orientation meeting for more information on Monday, April 29 at 7:00 PM at St. Mark’s UMC in San Antonio.
The teacher for the Spanish classes will be Frank Edwards. Frank is a native of Argentina and now calls Kerrville home. He currently teaches a 16-week Spanish language class at his home church of Kerrville FUMC and is offering to teach the same class to clergy. The goal is functional fluency and lessons include well-loved Scripture verses. Frank has a deep desire to spread the Good News of the Gospel and to teach Spanish to those who desire to learn. He is excited about the opportunity to teach clergy Spanish. While this first class offering will be in San Antonio, Frank’s willingness to teach is so great he has offered to travel to other areas in our Episcopal area to teach in the future. If you are serving beyond the San Antonio area, please know we are working on opportunities for Spanish classes to be taught throughout the conference.
Please contact Rev. Teresa G. Welborn or Eve Albert in the Office of Clergy Development if you plan to attend the orientation session on April 29 or if you have any questions about this Spanish course. The session will be held in the sanctuary of St. Mark’s UMC located at 1902 Vance Jackson Road, San Antonio, Texas and will last one hour. Teresa can be reached at 210-408-4511 or twelborn@umcswtx.org Eve can be reached at (210) 408-4551 or evealbert@umcswtx.org . Hope to see you there!
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Contact Information
Rev. Teresa G. Welborn
Exec. Dir. of The Office for
Clergy Development
210-408-4500 Ext. 511
Tolll Free 888-349-4194
TWelborn@umcswtx.org
Eve Albert
Admin. Assistant
210-408-4500 Ext. 551
210-68-4443 Fax
evealbert@umcswtx.org
Isabel Munoz
SWTX BOP Benefit Manager
210-408-4500 Ext. 526
Toll Free 888-349-4194 Ext. 526
imunoz@umcswtx.org
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