Join us as we participate in First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” challenge.

The UCC has launched “UCC Let’s Move: Faithfully HEALing (Healthy Eating and Living)” which will focus on the pillars of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign – Healthy Choices, Healthier Schools, Physical Activity and Accessible and Affordable Foods.

Here are a couple of exciting ways to engage:

1. Healthy Eating Cookbook Project
   The UCC Council on Racial and Ethnic Ministries (COREM) Health Table is sponsoring a cookbook project featuring healthy recipes for families in the United Church of Christ.  It  will feature your favorite recipes in their traditional form and offer a modified healthy version. Submit your recipes!
2.  Faithfully Walking Challenge!
   As a part of her initiative to reduce obesity in children, First Lady Michelle Obama issued a challenge to faith and community organizations to get members walking a collective three million miles across the nation. UCC participants took up the call and walked 258,596.36 miles! Thank you for your work!
   
3. Instant Recess
   We are asking all UCC congregations to get up and move during this Sunday by doing what is called an “Instant Recess!” Get your congregation moving!

First Lady, Michelle Obama, believes that the problem of obesity cannot be solved by passing laws in Washington, DC. On November 27, 2010 the United Church of Christ was invited to participate in a nation wide meeting via conference call at the White House with Mrs. Obama and the Faith Based Neighborhood Partnership.

Barbara Baylor, Minister for Health Care Justice spoke on behalf of Rev. Geoffrey Black, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ in applauding the efforts of Mrs. Obama and our excitement to be a faith partner on her team to end childhood obesity as well welcoming the opportunity to raise awareness that obesity leads to chronic diseases in adults.

Over 4,500 faith and community leaders joined the call as the First Lady launched “Let’s Move: Faith and Communities.” Mrs. Obama shared her commitment and action to eliminate childhood obesity in the United States.  She recognized the vital role that the faith leaders play in the lives of people by not only focusing on the spiritual aspects, but also on the physical and emotional aspects as well.

UCC Let’s Move:  Faithfully HEALing” consists of a twenty-five member Task Force representing conferences in several regions of the UCC. They have been meeting via conference calls since May 2010 to develop resources and an action plan that will encourage UCC congregations to take action. 

 The Council on Racial and Ethnic Ministries Health Table and the UCC Faith Community Nurse Leadership Team are taking a lead and coordinating role in this effort. Disproportionately high numbers of children of color are affected by obesity.

Health has always been a primary concern for the United Church of Christ. UCC Parish Nurses were instrumental in writing and submitting the Resolution “Reclaiming the Church’s Ministry of Health and Healing”, adopted by the General Synod in 1997. This resolution forms the foundation for our Denomination’s work on health and wellness. 

We understand that faithful stewardship of God’s gifts includes care for our bodies and heath.  Obesity is increasing rapidly in the United States, affecting children, adolescents, and adults of all races, ethnicities and income levels.  We take seriously this opportunity to act on our healing mission in our churches and in the wider community.