Occupational Therapy Benefit
Occupational Therapy was added to the Physiotherapy/Athletic Therapy/Kinesiologist benefit category effective January 1, 2026. GSI was recently made aware that Occupational Therapy had been unintentionally omitted from the benefits coverage update.
If you submitted an Occupational Therapy claim that was not processed by Manulife, please contact our office with your claim details so we can follow up with Manulife on your behalf.
Change to EAP Program
GSI’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP) has been acquired by Greenshield (formerly Kii). Starting June 1, 2026 Greenshield will support you and your dependents with comprehensive and personalized wellbeing support from their diverse network of care providers. You may access a wide range of treatment options based on your mental health and life goals.
To activate your Greenshield account and to learn more about the GSI EAP, visit the GSI website.
Migraines
Migraine is much more than just a bad headache. It is a complex, genetic neurological disease that affects over one billion people worldwide, including more than five million Canadians.
June is recognized globally as Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. This month serves as a critical time to educate the public, dismantle stigma, and advocate for better healthcare support.
For those who do not experience them, a migraine can be easily misunderstood. In reality, it is a debilitating condition characterized by a variety of intense physical symptoms:
- Severe throbbing pain: Usually concentrated on one side of the head.
- Sensory sensitivity: Extreme intolerance to light, sound, and specific smells.
- Nausea and vomiting: Making it impossible to eat, drink, or take oral medications.
- Visual auras: Temporary blind spots, flashing lights, or zig-zag patterns before the pain starts.
- Cognitive issues: Often called “brain fog,” which impacts speech and concentration.
An attack can last anywhere from four hours to several days. The unpredictable nature of these episodes forces individuals to miss work, skip social events, and lose precious time with family.
Raising awareness is the first step toward creating a more empathetic and accommodating world for people living with migraine.
Summer Skincare
Summer is here, and that means that our days are longer and the sun’s UV rays more intense. Many Canadians are spending more time outside than they do in winter, and more of their skin is exposed. Making an effort to protect your skin now will reduce your chances of getting skin cancer — and other signs of sun damage such as wrinkles and discoloration — in the future.
A Few Tips
Most people under-apply sunscreen and overlook areas such as the top of the feet, ears, backs of hands and knees, and scalp. All of these areas are vulnerable to damage from UV rays.- When heading outside no matter how short of a time period, apply sunscreen generously and evenly at least 15 minutes before heading outdoors and re-apply at least every 2 hours when you are outdoors.
- Switching to a foundation/moisturizer with SPF built in (and reapplying at lunchtime) is a low-effort way to ensure you have some sun protection while getting out of the car to run errands, walking the dog, etc.
- Not all available sunscreens work equally well. It’s worth doing some research to see which ingredients experts recommend.
- If swimming or sweating heavily, ensure your sunscreen is waterproof, and prepare to reapply more frequently.
- Wearing protective clothing can reduce the need for sunscreen in covered areas. Thicker, denser weaves (e.g., denim) offer the best UV protection. Darker colours absorb UV rays better (preventing rays from reaching your skin) than white/lighter colours do. Long sleeves and high collars are beneficial, and looser clothing is also better. In general, synthetics offer superior protection to looser weaves like cotton and linen. A densely-woven hat with a wide brim is a must!
- It’s also important to protect your eyes. Sunglasses from a reputable source that promise 100% UVA and UVB or UV400 protection are best. Large lenses and thicker arms offer better coverage.
- The sun’s UV rays are strongest between about 11am and 3pm. Don’t forget even on cloudy or smoky days, the UV rays may be strong even though it doesn’t feel like it. Most weather apps now provide the current UV; check that throughout the day and get out of the sun or cover up when you see the number climbing.
As with getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet, the best time to start looking after your skin would have been when you were a child/teenager. But it’s never too late to start, and the second-best time to do it is today!
International Seminar for Pastors in Wittenberg
Continuing education can also take place far away from home! Read about Rev. Heidi Wachowiak’s recent educational experience in Europe with the LWF.
I had one of the most amazing Continuing Education experiences this past March. For two weeks, pastors from around the Lutheran World Federation gathered in Wittenberg, Germany under the theme of “The Way We Pray Shapes the Way We Believe.”
The study times were inspirational, meaningful and expanded my understanding of Luther’s teachings on worship – the core being that in worship we need to experience the gospel, encounter the one who gives life and help people experience the resurrection and God’s unending grace. (These words are based on lectures by Rev Dr Gordon Jensen.) The huge bonus was that we learned so much from one another and why we do things the way we do in worship, depending on where we were from. We had many a spirited conversation about this and experienced each other’s worship leadership through daily worship – morning and evening.
We also saw many of the sites related to Luther and his life both in Wittenberg as well as in Eisenach and Die Wartburg. It was pretty amazing to walk daily in places where Luther, his family, Melanchthon and other reformers walked so very many years ago.
The community that was built among the participants of the seminar was amazing. Inquisitive, respectful, caring, fun-loving and more. We continue to be in touch on a regular basis via WhatsApp. I suspect this will continue for a long time to come.
I highly recommend this as a continuing education event for clergy. One tip: bring very warm clothes to wear to worship (twice a day plus Sundays) as there is next to no heat in the churches where we worshipped.
The Iconic Schlosskirche in Wittenberg
Rev Brooklynn Lane and Rev Heidi
Standing by the ELCIC tree planted in Wittenberg
Our Full Group
Honey Mustard Chicken
Ingredients:
¼ cup Dijon mustard
¼ cup honey
¼ cup yellow mustard
3 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary leaves, or ½ tsp dried rosemary
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp mayonnaise
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Directions:
- To make the marinade: in a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, yellow mustard, 2 tbsp of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, rosemary, salt, paprika, and pepper.
- In another medium bowl, place 1/3 cup of the marinade and whisk in the mayonnaise. Cover and refrigerate the dipping sauce until ready to use.
- If using chicken breast, put the chicken breasts between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound with the flat side of a meat mallet or a heavy skillet so they are of uniform thickness.
- Place the chicken thighs or breasts in a gallon-sized plastic zip lock bag. Add the remaining marinade, seal the bag, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
For the stovetop
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil and swirl to coat the pan.
- Place the chicken in the pan and cook until nicely seared and the chicken releases easily from the pan, 4–5 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Cook, undisturbed, until the chicken releases from the pan.
- Let rest for 5 minutes and serve immediately with dipping sauce.
For the Grill:
- Preheat a grill to medium heat. Oil the grill grates well.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Place the chicken over the grill. Cover and cook until grill marks appear and the chicken easily releases, 6–8 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and continue cooking until it is no longer pink in the middle, 2–3 minutes more.
- Let rest for 5 minutes and serve immediately with the dipping sauce.
Seeking Board Directors
The GSI Board of Directors is preparing for several upcoming vacancies as current Directors complete their terms in 2027.
Are you interested, or do you know someone who could be interested, in serving as Director? Please visit the Board page on the GSI website or reach out to GSI for more information.
Managing Chronic Conditions
Expert: Dr. Sol Sax, BAsc, MD, FRCPC, CCBOM
Ask an Expert Question / Concern:
“I was recently diagnosed with a chronic health condition. It’s completely thrown me for a loop. In addition to affecting my energy, my hobbies, and my relationships, it is also impacting what I can and can’t do at work. I don’t know how to feel or who I should tell or how to cope with it. I really like my job and don’t want to have to leave. How do I manage all of this?”
Description:
Chronic health conditions can touch virtually every aspect of our lives and come with many challenges, including at work, but the right tools, support, and strategies can help. Join Kii Health this month to learn skills for managing and coping with the emotional and practical impacts of chronic illness, including how to navigate work limitations safely and advocate for your needs.
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 12:30 pm ET
You can also watch the recording later using the same link.
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