Lighten Up, Brethren! is a program of the Wellness Ministry of the Association of Brethren Caregivers in collaboration with Brethren Benefit Trust and the Church of the Brethren General Board. It is a challenge for Church of the Brethren members to adopt healthy living and behaviors for wellness in body, mind and spirit.

The Wellness Ministry professes that every person is a treasure, every life a sacred gift, every human being a unity of body, mind and spirit.

Its mission includes goals of:

1. Challenging members of the Church of the Brethren to adopt health living and behaviors (spiritual, emotional, physical) with
special emphasis on metabolic syndrome.

2. Engaging in the current public debates about health care delivery, access and financing reform.

3. Educating members of the Church of the Brethren about stewardship of health-care resources.

4. Promoting simple living, because simple living is healthy, spiritually centered living.

The Lighten Up, Brethren! program seeks to challenge members of the Church of the Brethren to adopt health living and behaviors for wellness in mind, body and spirit. It offers educational and spiritual nurture through meditations sent out via an electronic list serve.

You are invited to sign on to the challenge of working on your physical health in the coming year — don’t miss out on all the fun!

Find Out More About Lighten Up, Brethren!
Download a PDF file of the Lighten Up, Brethren! brochure describing the program here. This brochure describes more about Metabolic Syndrome. It also has a form asking for people who sign on to the Lighten Up, Brethren! campaign to fill out and return to ABC at 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; fax (847) 742-6103.

NEW! Congregational Ideas for Wellness
Download a PDF file of the "Ideas for Congregations Promoting Wellness" brochure here. This brochure provides ideas for congregations interested in doing activities to promote better health and well-being. Let us know what activities you are planning by e-mailing Mary Lou Garrison, director of wellness.

Join the Lighten Up, Brethren E-Mail List Serve
The Wellness Ministry’s list serve sends weekly e-mails of encouragement and support to those who join the list. Below is a sample message from one of the contributors.

Good morning. I awoke this morning in a fog; I start slowly in the morning, but my dog celebrated my shoe tying and his joy of anticipation got me out the door. We took our morning walk and I was enchanted by some wildflowers that I had not noted before. I have walked the same route for the last five or so years, and I still see new details almost daily. I love the natural world that God has given us for our human home. My walks are also times of meditation, and especially this morning, for praising God for his many gifts to us. I was somewhat begrudging of being thankful for the horsefly that took a bite of my leg, but it served as a reminder that I need to keep moving.

My health tip for today is to be careful of the heat. The older one grows, the less tolerant of extremes in temperature one becomes. If the temperature is in the upper 80s or more, especially if there is high humidity, watch out. Taking plenty of water is always appropriate, but even feeling a breeze or staying in the shade may not be protective, especially with physical activity.

My biblical reflection this morning is from Psalm 139:13. “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

— Vernne Greiner, D.O.

You can subscribe to this list by clicking here.