June 12, 2009
by Jodi Deike

This summer the federal government is considering comprehensive reform of the U.S. health care system. "It is no exaggeration to say that this summer might be the best opportunity in a generation to achieve any sort of comprehensive health care reform," said Robert Francis, director for domestic policy, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Washington Office. "This is why it is so important for people of faith to come together, talk about this issue and make their voices heard."

On June 24 the ELCA and other faith communities around the country are uniting in Washington, D.C., to mobilize for "An Interfaith Service of Witness and Prayer." Lutherans are invited to join this effort by raising awareness of health care issues in their own communities and congregations, according to Francis.

To foster discussions about health care, the ELCA created "Health Care Sunday" and "Health Care Cafe" congregational tool kits. The tool kits offer suggestions such as healing prayers, inviting someone to speak about health care and hosting a health care cafe to discuss health and health care reform. "We tried to create resources that are very accessible and open," said Francis. "Our hope is that these resources are just the first step in contemplation, education, and eventual action in the health care reform discussion." A Health Care Sunday is also a way to affirm and support one of the missions of the ELCA as stated in the "Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor" social statement, said Francis.

ELCA News Service