November 4, 2005

CHICAGO – 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.

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