PHW Voices

Winston-Salem Journal

Placing defibrillators in houses of worship — including eight in Winston-Salem — is part of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C.’s strategy for extending the reach of health care into community gathering places.

The insurer and churches hope there will be a pay-it-forward element from the free CPR training that goes along with the automated external defibrillators.

“Most people don’t want to be in a helpless place when they see someone having a cardiac arrest,” said Bruce Hayes, associate pastor at Reynolda Church.

Durham-Herald Sun

DURHAM – Over the next three years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina will fund 150 Automated External Defibrillators and training for places of worship across the state, with 33 already lined up. BCBSNC President and CEO J. Bradley Wilson made the announcement Tuesday at First Calvary Baptist Church in Durham along with Strive to Revive partners the American Red Cross, the North Carolina Council of Churches and N.C. Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg).

Are you following the Olympics? I am just amazed at the beauty and grace of the swimmers, the gymnasts, the volleyball players and so many others. I dreamily imagine myself being the one in those races trying to beat the Olympic record and going for the gold. And on Monday, July 30, the third day […]

Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for Americans? In fact, more than 800,000 people die a year (one in three overall deaths).  The American Heart Association (AHA) lists ‘Life Simple 7’ which are risk factors to help monitor cardiovascular health.  These seven risk factors are not smoking; being physically active; having normal blood pressure, […]

We are happy to announce that the North Carolina Council of Churches’ Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) Initiative has received continued support from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. This enables PHW’s continued work to improve the health of clergy and congregants through faith-based health promotion over the next three […]

The Pee Dee Baptist Association Health Coalition, a joint effort of the Association along with Partners in Health and Wholeness, takes place April 3 at 7 p.m at St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church, 198 Gaines St., Aberdeen (Jackson Hamlet). Snacks will be provided, and the event is free and open to the public. There are […]

Joy Williams of Partners in Health and Wholeness, an initiative of the NC Council of Churches, will collaborate with Bladen churches and the Parish Nurse on Monday, November 28th at 5:30pm in the fellowship hall of Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church at 800 W. Broad Street (across from the Municipal Building), Elizabethtown, NC, to make our churches healthier […]

If we were to write a modern-day fairy tale about sleep, the storyline would be how the princess was robbed of going to sleep.  She would be a reflection of our society. You and I are constantly telling ourselves to wake up, and this is exactly what would happen in this fairy tale. There would […]

Please take a look at our Partners in Health and Wholeness Informational Webinar.  You will have an opportunity to learn more about Partners in Health and Wholeness and hear questions from our attending audience. Please feel free to use the contact information offered during the webinar to network. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, […]

The NC Council of Churches wants you to know how important it is to view health as a faith issue.  Please join our free introductory short webinar about Partners in Health and Wholeness and why health is a faith issue on September 16th from 11 -11:45am.   You can also check out our interactive website. Partners […]

“I’ve been eating this way my entire life.” “It tastes better this way.” “This is how we’ve always done it.” Statements like these are how many support their less-than-healthy eating habits. However, in these days of bleak health statistics about obesity, diabetes, and lowered life expectancies, improving our habits is becoming essential rather than optional. […]

Buy food or buy medicine?  That’s the choice that far too many uninsured individuals face every day, but our friends at NC MedAssist – a statewide non-profit pharmacy providing FREE prescription medicines to low-income, uninsured North Carolinians – are here to solve the dilemma.  Below, is a message from one of their representatives: “There are […]

For anyone who has ever been frustrated when trying to increase their exercising or improve their diet, Matthew Feinstein has a suggestion for you. Go to church!  Feinstein, lead investigator in a recent religion and obesity study writes: “Churches already have infrastructures in place, groups of people gathering regularly and providing social support. That’s hugely […]

Our friends at Be Active North Carolina are challenging churches and other community groups to join the fight against childhood obesity by creating organized events where people can get out and play.  North Carolina Play Daze is the official name of this statewide campaign to promote physical activity, and your church can show your support […]

Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) held our first joint training with Youth Empowered Solutions (YES!) on Saturday, August 6, in Scotland County.  There were valuable opportunities to network with other churches and organizations to promote a growth in organizational capacity.  We also shared challenges and advice in program coordination.  As a team, we problem […]

Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), in partnership with Youth Empowered Solutions, will hold its second youth empowerment training for clergy and other adults who work with youth on Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 10am-2pm in Eastover, NC.  Clergy will learn how to motivate youth to create positive community change through strong health advocacy.  Examples […]

Partners in Health and Wholeness, in partnership with Youth Empowered Solutions, will provide FREE TRAININGS to clergy and other adults who work with youth to create positive community change through strong health advocacy, particularly as it relates to increasing access to healthy foods, physical activity and tobacco use prevention. The date, time and location of the first training

It should be no surprise to anyone that obesity rates in the United States are still rising, as a recent report emphasized by giving America an “F” as in fat. Neither should it be too surprising that the rates of increase seem to be leveling out in the last couple of years. Various public leaders, […]

If your congregation is looking for a fun, creative way to combat childhood obesity, then the NFL – that’s right, the National Football League – has just the answer for you! The NFL is partnering with schools and community organizations, including churches, across the country to host a FREE skills competition for boys and girls ages 6 to 15 called, “Punt, Pass and Kick” (PPK).

The North Carolina Council of Churches is proud to welcome Joy Williams as our new Partners in Health and Wholeness Regional Consultant.  Joy will assist the Council in promoting health as a practice of our faith, focusing on program implementation in Anson, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Montgomery, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties. To learn more about Joy […]

Partners in Health and Wholeness, an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches, is pleased to bring to your attention the following free health tools which are designed to help you and your loved ones make healthier choices

Friends of the Council are encouraged to participate in one or both of the following community events, each of which is designed to help you take better care of your health

Our friends at Body & Soul, a faith-based health initiative, are offering a free Webinar to clergy and congregants who are looking for creative ways to be more physically active during church events and services.