GREENSBORO, NC — More than two years after the the nation’s shutdown due to COVID-19 and five years since the previous Faith and Health Summit, Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches, hosted their annual Faith and Health Summit event in-person in Greensboro, North Carolina at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. This year’s theme, Mindful Together, was a lived reality for attendees who came from every corner of the state to learn, fellowship, worship, and enjoy the intentional moments of rest and site activities.
During the summit’s worship service, PHW presented the 2022 Willona Stallings Award for Excellence in Community Innovation to Cameron Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and their health lead, Annie McIver. Willona Stallings was the first director of PHW and it was her vision that led to its launch in 2009 as a flagship program of the North Carolina Council of Churches. This award is designed to recognize a PHW faith community and their health lead who has been instrumental in spearheading a new and innovative project, program, or initiative that addresses an important health need in their broader community. Annie and Cameron Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion church were nominated because of the creative and impactful work that they do to help their community live happier, healthier lives.
Willona Stallings was able to present the award to Mrs. Annie McIver and Cameron Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Willona states: “Cameron Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is doing innovative work, not just promoting physical activity and healthy eating, but they are addressing issues of mental health. Mrs. McIver has even driven members of her church to get tested for HIV.”
McIver was extremely surprised to be granted the Willona Stallings Award.
“I want to thank the North Carolina Council of Churches and the Partners in Health and Wholeness team for being so kind to me, ”McIver stated. “God has blessed us because of the mini-grants we were granted over these years and we were able to bless the community and show God’s love through this project.”
Cameron Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has been a part of Partners in Health and Wholeness since 2011 and continues to support their community and encourage healthy living.
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Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches, bridges issues of faith and health together. This initiative seeks to provide people of faith with the tools necessary to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. By improving the health and well-being of people of faith, we hope to impact the larger community and ultimately reduce the health care burden on our state. For more information about PHW’s work visit www.healthandwholness.org. To stay up to date on progressive health and faith-based news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
CONTACT PERSON:
Nicole Johnson
Interim Co-Director
Partners in Health and Wholeness
nicole@ncchurches.org
(919) 828-6501 Ext. 110
