by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Board of
Pensions is promoting wellness among Lutheran clergy, church
employees and others interested in finding a healthy balance in
their lives. It is leading a seven-week campaign, "The Road to
Emmaus," during the Easter season, April 8 through May 26, 2007.
The Board provides a "tool kit" to help people assess their
physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual and
vocational well-being while walking a "wellness journey."
In chapter 24 of the Gospel of Luke, the story is told of two
disciples who walked to Emmaus in the company of Christ after his
resurrection. They talked and studied Scripture. Christ stayed
with them and broke bread with them. The disciples' eyes were
opened, and Christ charged them to be witnesses. The Board's
program matches elements of that encounter with elements of the
"wholeness wheel" developed by the Inter-Lutheran Coordinating
Committee on Ministerial Health and Wellness of the ELCA and
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
"As Easter people, let us claim the strength that the Holy Spirit
has poured out upon each of us in our Baptism. Let us seek, step
by step, a centered, balanced life -- physically, emotionally,
intellectually, socially, spiritually and vocationally. Let us
claim the love of God through Christ in our lives, and know that
Christ walks with us every step of the way," said Tammy L.
Devine, wellness coordinator, ELCA Board of Pensions, in her
introduction to the (PDF) Road to Emmaus tool kit. Devine is a
registered nurse and an ELCA diaconal minister who serves the
church through the Board in collaboration with ELCA Vocation and
Education.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
