Women of the ELCA Health Initiative, 2005–2008

 Put your heart into Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls


 


Women of the ELCA launched the Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls health initiative at the Sixth Triennial Gathering in July 2005.

You probably heard about the 4K Run, Walk ‘n’ Roll held at the gathering but have not heard as much about Women of the ELCA’s health initiative, for which the 4K was the kickoff.

The vision
 Can you imagine women in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, along with women across the United States and even around the globe, building a strong and peaceful world? How much easier would reaching that goal be if it were addressed by stronger, healthier, bolder women? Healthy women can produce healthy families, churches, and communities, and can develop healthy leaders who can build healthier, more just, and more wholistic societies.

As Women of the ELCA, we are prepared to lead boldly in promoting women’s complete and total health: physical, spiritual, and emotional. We envision mobilizing the 3.2 million women in the ELCA to participate in a single effort to improve their own health and the health of others, ultimately making a visible, measurable impact on the collective health of women everywhere.

The current realities
 There are many barriers that prevent women from being in control of their own health care or from serving as healthy role models to the girls whom they are raising. Our vision is to support women as together we address some of the harsh health realities women face. According to the American Heart Association and its division, the American Stroke Association, heart disease and stroke are the No.1 and No. 3 killers of women in America. This is a crucial place for us to start, because so many are affected by heart disease and stroke directly, and are affected indirectly by the high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, upper respiratory illnesses, and restricted quality of life related to them.

Our Plan
Throughout 2005–2015, we will:
1. Educate women to take time to care of themselves physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

2. Share the wealth to prevent girls and other women from repeating today’s health risks tomorrow.

3. Advocate for more research and the elimination of heart disease and stroke in our lifetimes.

We will approach each of these areas in three ways:

  • As physically healthy women, we will make healthy choices for our bodies.
  • As spiritually healthy women, we will engage in Bible study, spiritual renewal, and holistic healing.
  • As emotionally healthy women, we will engage in and seek healthy and meaningful activities and relationships to better support one another.
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    Why a health initiative?
     When we invest time and resources in caring for ourselves, we can then fully commit to our organization’s purpose statement and our mission to act boldly: We can commit to God’s command to make disciples in the world while standing fully ready to serve others.

    What’s next?
     It is imperative that each woman sees herself in this bold effort and understands how her well-being benefits the faith community. And as a community of women created in the image of God, putting our energy into a single effort will make a tremendous difference in the lives of millions of women. Millions of lives will be safeguarded and transformed because of our collective action.

    The 4K event was an important witness to our commitment to make a difference, but the most important thing is to act boldly, to shed light on heart disease and stroke and overall wellness for women and girls.

    Our allies
    We are not alone; there are others committed to putting their heart into raising up healthy women and girls. Our actions will be strengthened through collaborating and partnering with others who have a heart for health and wholeness.

    We thank the ELCA Board of Pensions for partnering with us and sponsoring the 4K Run, Walk ‘n’ Roll at the triennial gathering. To date, pledges received from the 4K total $28,000. If you would like to add your contribution, download the form or simply send a check made payable to Women of the ELCA. Indicate "4K Run, Walk ‘n’ Roll" on your check memo line and mail to Women of the ELCA, Attn: 4K Run, Walk ‘n’ Roll, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631-4101.

    Coming soon
     Soon (the latter part of spring 2006) we will have a packet of materials available to help you introduce the health initiative in your area. We can help you carry out your own Run, Walk ‘n’ Roll locally. You might start thinking about a date and finding someone to coordinate this event sometime during the 2005–2008 triennium.

    In the meantime
     Take a few moments to reflect on what God says about the heart. There are more than 500 references to the heart in scripture. God’s word describes our hearts as being able to see, hear, and feel. God speaks poetically and deeply about our hearts.

    Rebekah prayed in her heart (Genesis 24:45). Lydia found her heart was opened (Acts 16:14). Mary pondered and treasured things in her heart (Luke 2:19, 51 New International Version).

    God uses many adjectives to describe the physical, spiritual, and emotional heart. What adjectives describe our heart conditions today?

    Next …
     Make a list of all the women and girls you know who are affected by heart disease and stroke (family, church family, friends, community, coworkers, and so forth).

    Your list can be your prayer focus for your journey to wellness and purpose for doing this work.