ELCA News Blog
March 12, 2007
ELCA Board of Pensions promotes wellness on the 'Road to Emmaus'
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.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog