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Home » Exercise Programs » Exercise fuels fellowship for Norwood Church – Stanly News & Press

By Ritchie Starnes

News Editor

Members of the First Presbyterian Church of Norwood spent the summer walking to Nazareth.

Dubbed Norwood to Nazareth, church members logged more than 7,000 miles of the 6,149-mile trek to Jesus homeland over a three-month span. The expedition began the first of May and concluded at the end of July. Since only Jesus possessed the ability to walk on water, as recorded in the Bible, church members were relegated to walk wherever and whenever possible to tally enough miles to equal the distance between Norwood and Nazareth.

I was a pretty skeptical fellah in the beginning. I didnt see how wed ever do that, said David Sutton, a retired Presbyterian minister who along with his wife, Finley, attends Norwoods First Presbyterian Church.

The church launched the undertaking in conjunction with Pastor Julie Hills sabbatical. As Hill underwent a spiritual and physical renewal, church members decided to breathe new life in their spiritualty by improving their human temple. They, too, embarked on a journey of better health by walking, exercising and eating better.

About 50 members of the congregation participated in the health-driven routine.

Everyone recorded every mile they ran or walked. Or, every 30 minutes of physical exercise equated to a mile.

Avid runners notched their miles. Walkers recorded their frequent jaunts at Darrell Almond Park and Piney Point. Golfers noted their time on the links. There was a nature walk at the Pee Dee Wildlife Refuge.

Yoga and pilates enthusiasts exchanged their timed physical exertion into mileage.

One church member recovering from a leg amputation converted her physical therapy into mileage.

Youngsters participated, too. The church had a vacation Bible school splash pool party.

Not all of the health-related initiatives were the byproduct of exercise.

Church members participated in cooking classes, spearheaded by the N.C. Cooperative Extension, aimed at healthier eating.

Although she was abroad, Hill, too, forwarded her exercise mileage toward the cause.

Funded through a grant from the Lilly Foundation, Hill was afforded the renewal opportunity by financial assistance outside the church. The grant also paid the expenses of a supply pastor, David Sutton, during Hills hiatus.

Lilly funded other programs during the period, which prompted the churchs health kick.

The whole congregation has benefitted, Finley Sutton said. In a small church those things are important.

First Presbyterian has about 150 official members, with roughly 60 regularly attending Sunday worship.

Prior to leaving for her sabbatical, Hill delivered a message on the importance of maintaining wellness.

The health of our community is something we need to address and become conscious of, Hill said Tuesday. I personally realized how sedentary I was becoming.

She pointed to the growing problem with diabetes and heart-related illnesses among those living in Stanly County.

While healthy living was part of the churchs objective, more was at stake with the initiative.

It brings people together in fellowship, Hill said. Hopefully, their conversation when they walked was spiritually nurturing.

Finley said thats exactly what happened. The mission served as a form of both fellowship and outreach.

Its been a nice way for us to get to know everyone better, she said. It brought us together for another purpose.

Different events appealed to different participants, which helped forge relationships that might not otherwise have been formed.

The exercises were not void of spiritual rewards. They recited daily prayers and scripture whenever they gathered for activities.

The timing for the venture seemed appropriate during Hills absence.

It brought the congregation together during (Julies) sabbatical something wed celebrate, Finley added.

An official celebration occurs Sunday at the church. Along with celebrating the congregations physical feat, the church will be celebrating Hills return. David Sutton will again provide the sermon.

After the 11 a.m. worship, the congregation will enjoy a catered lunch in the Fellowship Hall, again funded by the Lilly Foundation, followed by a pool party with a DJ at the Edgewater Clubhouse beginning at 1 p.m.

To submit story ideas, contact Ritchie Starnes at (704)982-2121 ext. 20 or email ritchie@stanlynews press.com.

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Exercise fuels fellowship for Norwood Church - Stanly News & Press

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Home » Exercise Programs » Exercise fuels fellowship for Norwood Church – Stanly News & Press