ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Health and Health Care

Pastor and health care professional Kathie Bender Schwich traces the origins, dimensions, and legacy of the ELCA's 2003 social statement "Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor." From the 2009 passage of the Affordable Care Act to new understandings of adverse childhood experiences and the social determinants of health, much has changed--but as Bender Schwich explains, the theological underpinnings of the statement remain cogent expressions of our callings as individuals, congregations, and communities to care for ourselves and each other. Bender Schwich's accessible prose helps readers understand how "Caring for Health" provides guidance for engaging difficult issues including palliative care, end-of-life planning, and equitable access to services. After highlighting emergent issues ranging from the health impacts of climate change to the societal burdens of loneliness and burnout, Bender Schwich shares creative and encouraging wisdom for congregations and communities seeking to discern how they're called to care for themselves and for others. With thoughtful discussion questions and a list of recommended readings, ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Health and Health Care is a useful resource for both individual and group use.