January 7, 2005

CHICAGO - As part of their "Healthy Leaders Enhance Lives" wellness campaign, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Board of Pensions, Minneapolis, and ELCA Division for Ministry teamed up with Mayo Clinic Health Management Resources, Rochester, Minn., to offer ELCA leaders, employees and family members use of the Mayo Clinic Health Risk Assessment from Jan. 6 through March 13 at http://www.elcaforwellness.org/ on the Web.

"The health risk assessment will help people get moving in 2005. To do so, we encourage people to focus on ways they can increase physical activity and decrease their caloric intake," said the Rev. Ronald T. Glusenkamp, vice president for church/sponsor relations, ELCA Board of Pensions. "Healthy leaders really do enhance lives, including their own," he said.

The interactive online program allows users to assess their health risks and develop plans to stay healthy. Users provide health-related information, such as blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol and glucose counts.

"It's confidential. It's quick. It's easy to do. It's free. And it just might save a life," Glusenkamp said. Each user must first register and designate a password to protect her or his information.

Nearly 12,000 people registered at the Web site since August 2003, which shows that members of the ELCA health plan are interested in improving their health and wellness, Glusenkamp said. "They understand the importance of leading a healthier life. Our hope is that even more church leaders increase their health literacy by using Mayo Clinic's rich resources," he said.

"Finding balance in our lives helps us to live well in Christ," said Tammy Devine, wellness coordinator, ELCA Board of Pensions. Devine is a registered nurse and an ELCA diaconal minister who works for the Board in collaboration with the ELCA Division for Ministry. "It is when we are living well in Christ that we are able to pass on the faith," she said.

"As leaders in the church we respond to God's people from our sense of call and compassion. Often we tend to overextend ourselves. Our self-care comes only after we have given to others. This year, instead of forfeiting goals for personal well- being, we can resolve to ponder those changes we are ready to embrace," Devine said.

As an incentive, those who complete the program may receive a free copy of The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook, Concise Edition, which includes 50 recipes. The Web site will remain active after the assessment period, providing health information from Mayo Clinic.

ELCA Board of Pensions named Blue Cross Champion of Health

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota presented the ELCA Board of Pensions with its 2004 Champions of Health award on Dec. 7 "for promoting health and wellness within its own organization and to its members under the initiative 'Healthy Leaders Enhance Lives,'" according to a Blue Cross news release.

Blue Cross donated $500 in the ELCA Board of Pensions' name to the health-related charity of its choice - St. Mary's Health Clinics, based in St. Paul, Minn.

The goals of the Healthy Leaders Enhance Lives campaign are "to improve the health of their members not only from a physical standpoint but from a mental aspect as well," Blue Cross said. Through a variety of healthy activities and promotions, "the ELCA Board of Pensions has gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote health and wellness," it said.

"For us to ask our members to become healthy leaders who enhance lives, we needed to model health and wellness ourselves," said John G. Kapanke, president, ELCA Board of Pensions. "We appreciate receiving the Blue Cross Champions of Health award because it recognizes that organizations need to walk the talk when promoting health," he said.

Blue Cross sponsors Champions of Health "to celebrate unsung heroes who raise awareness, educate and motivate people about the importance of working together for the health of the community."

"Organizations such as the ELCA Board of Pensions change lives by making their communities a healthier place to live," said Dr. Mark Banks, president, Blue Cross. "Blue Cross is proud to highlight these efforts and encourages others to get involved," he said.

The home page of the ELCA Board of Pensions is at http://www.elcabop.org/ on the Web. The Division for Ministry's wellness information is at http://www.elca.org/dm/health/ on the ELCA Web site.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota provides information about its Champions of Health award at http://www.bluecrossmn.com/ on the Web. Information about St. Mary's Health Clinics is at http://www.stmaryshealthclinics.org/ on the Web.

ELCA News Service