# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S277 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) PARISH SERVICES 277 Classes continue to provide congregations with unique re- sources for an educational ministry with persons who are mentally retarded. This year, 1981, is the International Year of the Disabled Person. This special designation provides an unique occasion and impetus to highlight also in LCMS congregations the worth of the disabled and handicapped. The sensory impaired (blind and deaf), the physically and mentally handicapped— all are precious to the God who created all people and redeemed them in His Son. Christians need to see the disabled/handi- capped, not as objects to be ministered to, but as fellow Christians who are themselves equipped to do the work of ministry with all God’s people. To promote this goal the board, in cooperation with Synod’s Board of Social Ministry and World Relief, under the auspices of the Coordinating Committee for Cooperative Projects in Congregational Life, provided each congregation in Synod with a packet for ministry with the disabled. Funding for the packet was provided by a grant from the members of the Aid Association for Lutherans. The packet contains a five-session Bible study, a handbook of resources and suggestions for congregational ministry with the disabled, a brochure on adapting and building facilities to promote ministry with the disabled, and worship and sermonic helps. Materials for use with vacation Bible school classes are being correlated more closely with the materials for regular classes so that pupils who are mentally retarded and others can be more aware of their oneness in learning about Jesus their Savior. The board edits and produces an annual guide for teachers of vacation Bible school classes for retarded students. Our ministry with blind persons is aimed primarily at youth and young adults who are enrolledin publicinstitutions for the blind. In cooperation with the Library for the Blind under the Board for Missions Teen Time magazine is mailed to 17 countries. F. Vacation Bible Schools Operating a vacation Bible school provides congregations with atwofold advantage. First, the VBS serves those learners who participate in other Christian education programs by reinforcing previous learning through concentrated study of some aspect of Christian doctrine. Second, it provides unique evangelism opportunities. Parents and children who are not yet ready for the commitment required in other agencies are frequently willing to attend a vacation Bible school that lasts one or two weeks. Getting such people to come brings them in contact with the Gospel and under the Holy Spirit’s influence. Who can predict what the results will be? We trust that God the Holy Spirit will bless the teaching of His Word. Aggressive efforts are needed to stimulate summer Chris- tian education programs. If traditional patterns are no longer successful, alternate programs should be explored. Evening sessions have helped some congregations, making it possible for parents to attend too. Sunday school teachers and other adults employed during the day are able to attend and also teach. Neighborhood backyard schools are being held success- fully, as well as camps, day camps, and retreats. Some congregations join forces with others to broaden their outreach. Opportunities are limited only by the imaginativeness of planners. Valuable suggestions are offered in Bulletin No. 50279, ‘“‘Creative Summer Programs in Christian Education,” available from the Board of Parish Education, 3558 South Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118. The VBS course emphasis for 1981 is aptly described by the title, “Promises, Promises—from God!” The 1982 course deals with the creating and preserving action of God under the title, “Me and All Creatures.” As in the past, teachers of students with Jearning dif- ficulties have available a separate teachers manual that provides valuable suggestions for conducting a class using the same theme as the regular program. Visually handicapped students can also receive our VBS materials in sightsaving print and in Braille by requesting the material from the Library for the Blind at least one month before the congregation’s VBS program. G. Interaction Interaction magazine is in its third decade as the primary resource for church school teachers. The mixture of articles— theological, educational, practical—offers the teacher back- ground, ideas, and helps for effective and successful teaching experiences. Present design of the magazine—an every-month practical newsletter and an every-other-month magazine— makes Interaction even more valuable for volunteer teachers. Congregations should seriously consider subscribing to this synodical publication for everyone involved in their education programs. H. Children’s Hymnals Joyful Sounds, published in 1977, is widely used, not only in the target audience (grades 3 to 8), but also by youth groups, senior citizens, and other organizations in the church. A committee of representatives from the Board of Parish Education, the Commission on Worship, and Concordia Pub- lishing House is exploring possibilities for a new or revised primary hymnal to replace the decades-old hymnals now being used: A Child’s Garden of Song and Little Children, Sing to ‘od. I. Children’s Services Committee A joint committee of staff members from the board and from Concordia Publishing House meets regularly to commission, process, or develop resources for children’s services. These are annual resources for Christmas and special services as needs arise. The Christmas resources now include prepared services and suggestions for congregations that wish to develop their own services. J. Youth Materials In the past biennium the board surveyed youth, high school teachers, youth counselors, and parents to appraise interests and spiritual needs of youth. The following NEW courses were published to meet those needs: God, Me, and Others. Enables youth to look at themselves in the light of Scripture and work through their relationships with God and others using Philippians and Colossians as resources for the study. And God Saw that It Was Good. A Scripture-based study of sex, sexuality, love, and marriage as they affect young people today. My Family, My Friends. Helps young people to integrate Christian theology with family living. Come, Follow. A study of what it means to be a disciple of Christ, applying Gospel power for young persons as they deal with doubt, loneliness, and fear. Classroom to Career. A Bible-based study of Christian faith and vocations. In addition, youth Bible class editor Ted Schroeder and Board of Youth Ministry executive Rich Bimler coauthored a guide for youth teachers, What’s the Good Word for Youth? K. Adult Materials The Dallas convention resolved “that every congregation of the Synod be encouraged to provide small group sessions on Sunday and on weekdays to help adults study the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and current issues and that special attention be given the adult Biblical and confessional studies being published in the program “That We May Grow” (Res. 7-04). The St. Louis convention (1979) commended the Board of Parish Education and the CTCR for “the production of the series ‘That We May Grow’ ” and recommended “that con- gregations of the Synod be encouraged to use these materials more fully” (Res. 7-08). Continuing high sales of “That We May Grow” attest to the value of these studies of Bible books and the Lutheran Confessions. As a follow-up to “That We May Grow,” the Board is placing top priority on preparing Bible-book courses in its 13-session- per-quarter courses. These courses are designed especially for Sunday morning use. The following new courses are now available in this program: By His Mighty Hand (Exodus) To God’s Loved Children (Epistles of John)