October 30, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS – While on a pilgrimage trek through Thailand, Murray D. Finck discovered the benefits of daily stretching and quiet prayer. On the physical level, after only one week, the chronic back pain that had plagued him for twenty years disappeared. On a spiritual level, the poses deepened his prayer experiences.

The Stretch and Pray DVD: A Daily Disciple for Physical and Spiritual Wellness, a companion to Finck's popular Stretch and Pray book, is now available for those looking for holiday gifts or motivational resources for resolutions for the New Year.

The Stretch and Pray DVD features Pastor Finck guiding you through forty gentle stretches, movements, and postures to improve physical and spiritual well-being. Individuals can select the postures that work for them and customize a daily routine. In addition, Finck incorporates devotional thoughts and Bible verses to jump-start spiritual reflection and prayer during the movements. Journal pages allow participants to record their physical progress and reflect on their spiritual meditation during the exercises.

Included are an interview with Murray Finck about why he decided to do the video and an interview with wellness expert and educator, Tammy Devine. Original music by John Ylvisaker is used throughout to calm the mind and inspire a deep spiritual journey.

"A wonderful way to integrate body and spirit. As I prayed the gentle stretches, I felt the involvement of the spirit throughout my whole being. I recommend this book to all who wish to honor their bodies as an integral part of their spiritual journeys." – Jane E. Vennard, author of Praying with Body and Soul and Embracing the World: Praying for Justice and Peace.

"Murray Finck has given us a tremendous gift!" – The Rev. Clifford A Listug, PhD., pastor, Hope Lutheran Church, San Diego (ret.).

"At a time when our church and society at large are raising our awareness of the importance of maintaining our health as we age, this book offers a routine to stay limber and maintain a daily prayerful focus." – The Rev. Diane Martinson-Koyana, Spiritual Care Coordinator for Kauai Hospice, Kauai, Hawaii.

"Murray Finck understands the life of the spirit, and these devotional exercises are bound to help you live closer to God." – Alan Loy McGinnis, author of The Friendship Factor.

Murray D. Finck has served as Bishop of the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 1998. He previously served as Assistant to the Bishop for Ministry and Pastoral Care and as pastor for three churches.

Tammy Devine is a diaconal minister, a parish nurse, an RN, and the ELCA Wellness Coordinator for the Board of Pensions in partnership with the Vocation and Education Unit of the ELCA.

Stretch and Pray Book, Format: Paperback Spiral Bound; 128 pages 6 x 9 inches, ISBN-10: 0-8066-5137-7, Price: $14.99.

Stretch and Pray DVD (15 minutes), ISBN-10: 0-8066-5307-8, Price: $14.99.

Stretch and Pray Set (Book and DVD), ISBN-10: 0-8066-5318-3, Price: $14.99.

To order Stretch and Pray please call Augsburg Fortress at 1-800-328-4648 or visit the web site at http://www.augsburgfortress.com/.

Augsburg Fortress