CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Beverly Evans had only been going to the exercise classes for arthritis sufferers for about a month. She was already reporting good results.

"I can lift my grandbaby up and down," she said. "I even carried groceries up the steps -- I have 16. That was a blessing to me that day."

She and several other of Lonna Barker's students were at an Oct. 13 meeting to talk about a wellness ministry involving three churches.

The churches are all a stone's throw away from each other on Kanawha Boulevard West: Unitarian Universalist, Grace Bible and Seventh-Day Adventist.

Despite their proximity, the churches have never done a joint project before.

"I thought if we joined together, we would have more power to do more things. And church budgets being what they are today, I thought we should take advantage of the location," said Barker.

Barker is a trustee on the Unitarian Universalist board. She teaches movement classes for those with arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. She also teaches meditation classes and hopes to soon be certified to teach tai chi.

"Let's get proactive about our health," she urged at the organizational meeting. She cited Centers for Disease Control statistics showing that 70 percent of West Virginia residents are obese, take more prescription drugs than residents of other states and have one of the highest rates of diabetics and arthritis.

In discussing what they wanted from a wellness ministry, one man said he wanted to deal with his pain more through movement than medication. A woman in a wheelchair said the program had to be held in a facility that was handicapped accessible. Another woman mentioned that the program had to be inexpensive and another said she wanted more information on alternative health.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Beverly Evans had only been going to the exercise classes for arthritis sufferers for about a month. She was already reporting good results.

"I can lift my grandbaby up and down," she said. "I even carried groceries up the steps -- I have 16. That was a blessing to me that day."

She and several other of Lonna Barker's students were at an Oct. 13 meeting to talk about a wellness ministry involving three churches.

The churches are all a stone's throw away from each other on Kanawha Boulevard West: Unitarian Universalist, Grace Bible and Seventh-Day Adventist.

Despite their proximity, the churches have never done a joint project before.

"I thought if we joined together, we would have more power to do more things. And church budgets being what they are today, I thought we should take advantage of the location," said Barker.

Barker is a trustee on the Unitarian Universalist board. She teaches movement classes for those with arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. She also teaches meditation classes and hopes to soon be certified to teach tai chi.

"Let's get proactive about our health," she urged at the organizational meeting. She cited Centers for Disease Control statistics showing that 70 percent of West Virginia residents are obese, take more prescription drugs than residents of other states and have one of the highest rates of diabetics and arthritis.

In discussing what they wanted from a wellness ministry, one man said he wanted to deal with his pain more through movement than medication. A woman in a wheelchair said the program had to be held in a facility that was handicapped accessible. Another woman mentioned that the program had to be inexpensive and another said she wanted more information on alternative health.

By the end of the meeting, the group emerged with a mission statement for Better Health and Wellness Ministry: "To promote a healthy lifestyle through mutual support, education and implementation of personal and group goals in mind, body and spirit."

Barker said among the first goals will be to have tai chi classes for pain relief from arthritis and monthly presentations on health-related issues.

Another meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Unitarian Universalist Church for those who work during the day.

In the meantime, St. Anthony Catholic Church at 1000 Sixth St. W. has signed up as a sponsor of the wellness ministry.

Beverly Evans said she has more balance and stability as well as strength since taking the Help Arthritis With Exercise classes. The free, 12-week classes are part of a WVU study funded by CDC.

So far, the statewide study has enrolled 200 people. Dr. Deanna Jones said she needs at least 100 to 150 more and so is still recruiting for eligible participants. Those interested should call WVU on the toll-free number 866-913-4273.

Evans says she takes medication early in the day for the pain she has from degenerative discs in her back. Once the medicine kicks in, she said, she can enjoy the movement class.

"The best part is the spirit of it," she said. "I am not going down in a wheelchair. As long as the good Lord lets me put one foot in the front of the other, I am going to thank him."

Reach Rosalie Earle at ea...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5115.