wfn.org | Lutherans 'Talk Turkey' This Thanksgiving

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 4, 2005

Lutherans 'Talk Turkey' This Thanksgiving
05-211-MRC/KL*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) Board of Pensions, Minneapolis, and ELCA Vocation and
Education are asking Lutherans to "talk turkey" this
Thanksgiving.  Talk Turkey is a health and wellness campaign of
the church that focuses on families sharing their health history
and identifying hereditary risk factors.
     Gathering around the table to share stories and memories
this holiday season serves as an opportunity for families to
provide information about their health, talk about wellness and
healing, discuss family health history, and identify hereditary
risk factors that may impact their future well-being, according
to Tammy L. Devine, wellness coordinator, ELCA Board of Pensions.
Devine is a registered nurse and diaconal minister.
     "As you seek to live well, take time to listen to the
valuable family stories that could re-direct your lifestyle.
Tell the story of how God is at work in your life, where your
journey has taken you, and when you felt God's strength," she
said.
     "Talking turkey can save lives," said Devine.  "It's about
passing on the faith, that all may be well with you and yours."
     The campaign is part of the ELCA "Healthy Leaders Enhance
Lives" initiative, which emphasizes shaping attitudes and
changing behavior to improve one's health.  This year Lutherans
focused on increasing physical activity and decreasing caloric
intake.  Other areas of concentration include identifying one's
family health history, eating a healthy and balanced diet,
increasing health literacy and avoiding risky behaviors.
     The Talk Turkey campaign is in connection with U.S. Surgeon
General Richard H. Carmona's declaration of Thanksgiving Day as
"National Family History Day."
- - -
     Information about "Talk Turkey" is available at
http://www.ELCAbop.org/resources_tools/health_tutorials/talk_turkey.asp
on the Internet.

*Kami Lund is with the ELCA Board of Pensions, Minneapolis.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news