Week 4 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Week 4 2016 Walk to Bethlehem PA Fitness Challenge - What Child Is This

Welcome to Week 4 of the Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge sponsored by the Woodleaf UMC health ministry program! If you have ever wished for more time to exercise, this is your week. We "fell back" last night, giving us the chance to enjoy an extra hour this weekend.

"What Child Is This" holds a special place in my heart. The hymn's words were from William Chatterton Dix's poem entitled "The Manger Throne" and set to the tune called Greensleaves. Lindsay Sterling has an instrumental violin version of "What Child Is This" here. Listen to a trio of guitarists, Don and Wendy Francisco and Jerry Palmer, playing the carol here. Or hear the beautiful lyrics to "What Child Is This" by listening to Johnny Mathis here.

If you go outside and simply sit and listen to nature, you may discover that nature's music is often in a minor key. Most of our more famous Christmas carols are in major keys, but this melody's distinctively minor key offers a uniquely beautiful tune. Many of my friends say "What Child Is This" is their favorite of all the Christmas carols that begins painting a mental picture of a baby in his mother's arms. The times surrounding Jesus birth were beautiful and joyful, yet many people suffered greatly. The holidays for many people are a time of sadness, yet I hope each of you may find a glimmer of hope in the season.

Do you have any favorite versions of "What Child Is This?"

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

Week 2 Results – Walk to Bethlehem PA Points

Week 2 Results for Walk to Bethlehem PA Fitness Challenge

Twenty-two participants turned in totals for week 2 of the Woodleaf UMC 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge. This fitness challenge encourages participants to exercise an average of 20 minutes per day. Participants earn 1 point for each 20 minutes of exercise with a goal of 7 points/week. Altogether, participants earned a total of 316 points for week 2, a big increase! Added to the total points from week one, the challenge participants have earned a grand total of 609 points.

I'm impressed! Some participants doubled their points, and one participant earned 48 points in Week 2. Let's see if we can continue the trend for Week 3. Many of us are taking on the fitness challenge with family members and/or friends. That's a great way to stay motivated and keep one another accountable.

There is still time to join the fitness challenge! Turn in Week 3 (10/30 through 11/5) totals to me via email at nurseforwoodleafUMC@gmail.com or at Woodleaf United Methodist Church. Click here to see details regarding the fitness challenge.

Walk to Bethlehem Week 2 Totals

Week 3 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge Week 3

Welcome to Week 3 of the Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge sponsored by the Woodleaf UMC health ministry program! This week's carol is "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear." One particular phrase jumps out at me when looking at the lyrics: "when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling." Imagining worldwide peace is difficult, but what a wonderful thought to entertain! May we remember and be thankful for the many people who sacrifice much to move seek peace.

The words of this hymn written by Edmund H. Sears appears in 736 hymnals. After retiring from active ministry in his late 30s due to health issues, he began to focus on literature. An exercise routine may also present challenges due to a variety of health concerns, but finding different and meaningful ways to keep physically active can reap great rewards.

We all have times in our lives when we feel called to do something that is far beyond a comfort zone. Perhaps we can learn from the example in Exodus 3:12 when God tells Moses "I will be with you" as Moses would face Pharaoh on behalf of the Israelites. Our life journey may seem as challenging as trying to lead a nation out of bondage, but I think it helps to remember we are never completely alone, whether that presence comes in a still, small voice, a burning bush, a colorful rainbow, or a beautiful Christmas carol.

Week 1 Results - 2016 Walk to Bethlehem PA Points

Week 1 Results for 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Twenty-two participants turned in totals for week 1. The 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA challenge encourages folks to exercise an average of 20 minutes/day. Each 20 minutes of exercise earns participants 1 point with a weekly goal of 7 points. Altogether, participants earned a total of 293 points during week 1. I've graphed the results below.

This has been a great start to the challenge! As you can see, many folks not only met the 7 point goal but exceeded it. I look forward to seeing Week 2 totals. Several people mentioned what types of exercise they are doing, including walking, working out in the gym, playing pickleball, participating in aerobics classes, and even mowing the yard with a manual push lawn mower. Way to go for the first week!

If you are interested, it's not too late to join the fitness challenge! Feel free to turn in Week 2 totals to me via email at nurseforwoodleafUMC@gmail.com or at Woodleaf United Methodist Church. Click here to see details regarding the fitness challenge.

2016 Walk to Bethlehem Week 1 Totals

Week 2 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Week 2 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge - Away in a Manger

Welcome to Week 2 of the 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge sponsored by the Woodleaf UMC health ministry program! Week 2 begins on Sunday, October 23 and runs through Saturday, October 29.

This week's hymn is Away in a Manger. This hymn, first published in the early 1900s offers simple and picturesque words. Two tunes are often found for this carol, one by William James Kirkpatrick and the other by James Ramsey Murray. Away in a Manger is often one of the first Christmas carols that children learn. Here are beautiful versions of the carol sung by Patty Loveless and by Susan Boyle.

A sleeping baby...what a beautiful site! When we stay up too late, we tend to snack on unhealthy foods and often awake feeling much less than refreshed. As we enter this busy time of year, it may be tempting to stretch schedules until they burst with holiday preparations. Perhaps now is a good time to begin to focus on quality rather than quantity as we make plans.

What are your favorite, most meaningful holiday activities? Do you have a favorite version of Away in a Manger? Feel free to share in the comment section below.

Please submit Week 1 points on paper at the church or online to nurseforwoodleafUMC@gmail.com. I will be charting the first week's results and posting later this week. I hope each of you have had a great start to the fitness challenge!

Week 1 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

2016 Walk to Bethlehem Fitness Challenge Week 1

Welcome to the 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge sponsored by the Woodleaf United Methodist Church health ministry program! This challenge encourages us to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day. Any type of physical activity is fine. We can enjoy ourselves while keeping physically fit.

Week 1 runs from Sunday, October 16 through Saturday, October 22. Please submit your weekly points either via email at nurseforwoodleafUMC@gmail.com or on paper at the church.

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is the first Christmas carol featured in this challenge. You might enjoy this video of the song played by The Piano Guys. Feel free to post your favorite version of this carol in the comment section below.

Studies show that people may experience health benefits simply from planning a vacation. Imagining wonderful possibilities may help us look to the future with a positive attitude and renewed resolve. Although many people dread the approaching holiday season, perhaps each of us can imagine doing something meaningful that would make the holidays sparkle again. In a world where the future seems dismal at times, perhaps we can set our minds to imagining a world in which true love and compassion for others becomes reality. Perhaps that future can begin with us.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

2016 Walk to Bethlehem Fitness Challenge

2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Many of us tend to forget about exercising regularly in the weeks before Christmas. To help us stay on track, I invite everyone to join us for the 2016 Walk to Bethlehem fitness challenge.

Who can join the fitness challenge?

Anyone of any fitness level may join this challenge. Children should check with adult caregivers before joining the challenge - this is a great family activity! You do not have to live in Woodleaf or attend Woodleaf United Methodist Church to participate in this challenge. If you do not have a home church, we invite you to come and worship at Woodleaf UMC! The church is located at 9000 Church Street in Woodleaf, North Carolina and is located right in front of Woodleaf Elementary School in sight of Highway 801.

What does this challenge cost?

There is no charge for participating in this fitness challenge. This challenge is provided by the Woodleaf United Methodist Church health ministry in an effort to encourage a healthy lifestyle for all of us. Come and meet our health ministry team at our annual free health fair on October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

What is involved in the fitness challenge?

The challenge begins on October 16 and ends on January 7. Weeks start on Sundays and end on Saturdays. Participants will keep track of how much they exercise each day and send me their name and weekly point total via email at nurseforwoodleafumc@gmail.com or you can submit on paper at the church. 

You will earn one point for every 20 minutes that you exercise daily. For example, if you exercise 40 minutes on Tuesday, you will earn two points. If you exercise 60 minutes on Friday, you will earn three points. Please send whole numbers - that is an incentive to exercise a little longer to get that next point! 

Please send your totals no later than Wednesday of the following week to give me time to tally results and post them before the next week starts.

If you prefer to count mileage, one mile equals one point for this fitness challenge. You may use mileage from a pedometer, fitness machine, etc. if you are counting mileage rather than minutes.

For each point that you earn, you will move seven miles closer to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is located 540 miles from Woodleaf, North Carolina.

Do you provide forms?

Yes! Those interested in participating may print the form provided at the bottom of this article in order to keep track of points earned. You do not need to submit the form to me, and you don't have to use the form. I just need your name and total weekly points.

What is the goal?

Participants are encouraged to average exercising at least 20 minutes/day (1 point/day). If you average at least 7 points/week, you will meet this fitness challenge. You are welcome to develop your own additional challenges such as focusing on a healthy mind or spirit in addition to the physical fitness focus.

What kind of exercise counts?

You may choose any type of aerobic or resistance training exercise that works for you. Check with your healthcare provider to discuss which types of exercise are most suitable for your fitness level and abilities. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just be physically active for a minimum of 20 minutes per day.

Can we see what everyone else is doing?

Check this Healthy Woodleaf blog for updates. I plan to feature one Christmas carol each week and will post totals without names in graph form each week.

What is the prize?

The best "prize" is enjoying a healthier, more fit lifestyle. I plan to invite everyone to the church at the conclusion of the challenge to join together and sing the twelve Christmas carols featured in the challenge and have the chance to talk with other participants.

2016 Walk to Bethlehem Fitness Challenge

Mileage Form for 2016 Walk to Bethlehem Fitness Challenge

I'd love to have folks from all over the world participating in the 2016 Walk to Bethlehem Fitness Challenge!