Arthritis Awareness and Support Through Your Benefits
September is Arthritis Awareness Month, which seeks to spread awareness and encourage improved treatment and quality of life for those who have it. The Mayo Clinic describes arthritis as “a leading cause of pain and limited mobility worldwide.”
Arthritis is a disease with a wide range of symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose. In general, it is characterized by chronic pain (often in a different location from day to day), stiffness and swelling in the joints, and decreased range of motion. It becomes worse over time, and especially when untreated, causes permanent damage to the body.
Prevention
Unfortunately, arthritis can’t be completely prevented. Some factors that contribute to arthritis, such as family history and age, cannot be controlled.
You can, however, improve your chances of avoiding it or remaining healthy if you do get it. Most of the strategies are those that are associated with general good health:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising throughout your life
- Being a non-smoker
- Eating a healthy diet
Types of Arthritis
Of the many different types of arthritis, these five are the most common:
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
The last three of these are autoimmune diseases, with the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissues in the body.
Arthritis and Your Benefits Plan
Once arthritis (especially if an autoimmune form) is suspected, patients may be referred to a rheumatologist for formal diagnosis and the development of a treatment plan. Rheumatologists are covered under the provincial health plans, but many non-surgical treatments are not. A benefits plan, such as the ELCIC Group Benefits Plan, can be very helpful.
Professional Services
Physiotherapists can work with arthritis patients to increase range of motion and recommend exercises that will be helpful in maintaining mobility and reducing pain rather than exacerbating it. Stretching (to maintain and improve flexibility) and strength training (to build muscle and take pressure off the joints) can be very helpful. Walking, cycling, and swimming can build fitness without placing undue stress on the joints.
Some arthritis patients may derive temporary relief from pain through massage or accupuncture.
Dietitians and naturopaths can help people who have arthritis navigate dietary changes that may slow the progression of the disease and reduce the severity of symptoms.
Living with chronic pain and no longer being able to do the activities you used to enjoy can be very hard on a your mental health. Psychologists and other registered therapists can help patients cope with psychological challenges.
The ELCIC Group Benefits Plan offers some coverage for each of these Professional Services each year. As a reminder, the list of provider types covered and the amounts for each module are on the Professional Services tab of the Extended Health and Vision Benefits Coverage page of the GSI website.
Prescription Medication
Lifestyle modification (e.g., diet, exercise, and quality sleep) is important, but often it is not enough to prevent arthritis from damaging the body. Long-term use of over-the-counter NSAIDs is not recommended. Therefore, prescription medications may be required. Coverage for these prescriptions and other information is available on the Prescription Drugs tab of the Extended Health and Vision Benefits Coverage page of the GSI website.
Conclusion
Treatments for arthritis are improving all the time, and it’s possible to continue leading a full life even after diagnosis. However, at present, there is no cure. If you believe you may be developing arthritis, it’s important to seek treatment early, before permanent damage sets in.
Note that this information is not intended to be expert medical advice. Please consult your primary care physician or other healthcare provider for advice pertaining specifically to you.
Erik Parker on his DMin Experience
What is the Role of a Pastor?
One of the questions that has always interested me was: What exactly is the definition of a pastor?
Questions without Answers
When I attended seminary (the first time), I often would look around at my classmates and think about the fact that we all had varying ideas of what serving as a pastor should be. Certainly, clergy often have a wide-ranging set of responsibilities, including preaching, leading worship, counselling, and teaching, but also things like furnace maintenance, HR policy writing, tech support, refugee advocacy and many other duties as assigned. Throughout my Master of Divinity program and in the sixteen years of ordained ministry following, I have informally explored this question.
Discerning a Call to Further Education
In the past few years, when I began to discern a call to further study and education, the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program became a way to explore my question about the role of a pastor more concretely and formally. The DMin program in Contextual and Practical Theology at LTS has been an excellent opportunity to do that work.
The starting place of my research is looking at what the Lutheran Confessions say about the Office of Ministry (the formal term for the job of clergy) and, in particular, how Martin Luther constructed the definition of the Office of Ministry that we still hold to as contemporary Lutherans today. To do that work, I was fortunate to take a class with Rev. Dr. Gordon Jensen in May of 2024 on some of Martin Luther’s significant Reformation writings. Part of the class included a two-week study tour of Germany, focusing on Wittenberg.
Understanding My Context Better
In fact, all of the coursework for the program has been designed to integrate with my day job as a pastor, helping me to understand my context better and bring new learnings to share with my congregation and with colleagues.
Now in my third year, I am working on the thesis project component. My project question centres on what the job of a pastor is. In my research, I am comparing and contrasting some of the variety of definitions and expectations of clergy. The project includes interviews with lay folk and clergy, hearing their answers to the questions:
- What does a pastor do?
- What do you think pastors spend their time doing?
- What do you think pastors should spend their time on?
- What are the most important tasks that pastors ought to focus on?
My hope in asking these questions about how pastors and congregations understand ourselves for ministry will provide the larger church with some insight into how we can adapt to challenging and uncertain times.
The role of pastors in congregations is one component of the overall understanding of ministry that we share as the ELCIC. Looking at where we started from as Lutherans and where we are now might help us in making plans for moving into the future.
Responding to Luther’s Concerns in 2025
One of Martin Luther’s chief concerns for the work of pastors in congregations was to ensure, in concrete and practical ways, that the gospel was regularly preached and heard by the community of the faithful. The concrete and practical ministry of the gospel remains at stake in the 21st century as many ELCIC congregations contemplate how to continue providing ministry in the years and decades to come.
Dependent Children Returning to School
Do you have a dependent child aged 21 to 24 who recently decided to return to school this fall after a gap year?
If their ELCIC Group Benefits ended when they reached age 21, they may be eligible to be re-enrolled in the Plan.
In order to qualify as a dependent, a child must be:
- unmarried
- under age 21, or under age 25 and a full-time student
- not employed on a full-time basis
- not eligible for insurance as an employee under this or any other group benefit program.
Please contact the GSI office to confirm they are listed as eligible with Manulife to ensure continuity of coverage.
Remembering, Respecting, and Reconciliation on September 30
Orange Shirt Day occurs every year on September 30th. On this day, we remember and acknowledge the suffering of Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools. We honour Phyllis Webstad of Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, who has written and spoken about how devastating it was to be taken at age 6 to the local Mission school and subjected to terrible treatment, symbolized by having her new orange shirt immediately taken away; she never saw the shirt again.
Phyllis survived, though for decades she was broken in spirit. Many other children never came home. The day reminds us of the pain these schools and the government policies that supported them caused for children, families, and communities. History shall not be forgotten.
Many congregations, partner organizations, clergy, and congregants in the ELCIC participate in reconciliation activities on September 30. (We should be doing this every day!) By wearing orange, we show respect for survivors and share the message, “Every Child Matters.”
Apple Brickle Dip
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 package almond brickle chips (7-1/2 ounces) or Skor toffee bits (10 ounces)
3 medium tart apples, cut into chunks
Instructions
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugars and vanilla.
- Fold in brickle chips.
- Serve with apples. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Men's Mental Health
Expert: Elliot McLarnon, MACP
Ask an Expert Question / Concern: “I’m a dedicated father and husband, but lately I’ve been feeling like I’m letting everyone down. I just lost my father to an illness, my finances are in bad shape, and I’m struggling to keep up at work. I don’t want to worry my partner, and my friends and I don’t talk about this kind of stuff. I’ve been treading water for a while now and I don’t know where to turn.”
Description: Men’s mental health has been referred to as a “silent crisis”, with the mental health challenges men face often going unacknowledged and unaddressed. Despite, for example, higher rates of substance use issues and suicide deaths, recent statistics have found that men make up only 30% of those receiving mental health services.
Join CloudMD this month to learn about men’s mental health, including specific challenges, tips to take care of your mental health as a man, and how to support the men in your life. Participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to foster open conversations about mental health, build supportive networks, and develop healthy coping skills.
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 12:30 PM ET
The recording will be available after the live webinar; register at the same link to see it.
We welcome your questions & feedback!
please write to us: admin@elcicgsi.ca
or call toll free: 1-877-352-4247 (in Winnipeg 204-984-9181)
information and resources can also be found on the GSI website