# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S336
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

336 PARISH EDUCATION

It is the intention of the Board for Parish Education through
its committee to explore the various aspects of this difficult task
of providing for the spiritual nurture of mentally retarded children.
From a study of the available documents and an exchange of
opinion at the initial meeting of the committee, the need for certain
materials became apparent. Some existing study material planned
for normal children can be used, but much of it is too difficult.
It will therefore be necessary to prepare study materials suited to
the mental age of the classes. Included would be help for teachers
in charge of the special children who are to use them.

Secondly, the committee is preparing an information manual
giving pastors, teachers, and parents the proper information and
guidance in dealing with cases of mental retardation.

Thirdly, there will be need for an outline or pamphlet for
study at conferences of pastors and teachers. Thereby pastors and
teachers will be given an opportunity to become better acquainted
with the whole problem, and they will learn how to proceed in
planning for the religious instruction of the retarded child and in
counseling and aiding the parents,

Recommendations to Synod:
Part X — Mentally Retarded Children

In view of the fact that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has
made us responsible for all of the lambs of the flock, and in view
of the fact that a very definite need exists for a specialized program
of Christian education in the area of mental retardation, the Board
for Parish Education makes the following recommendations to
the convention:

1. That the individual Districts of Synod take cognizance of
the problem of the mentally retarded child and make whatever
studies are requisite to determine the measures that are to be
adopted to care properly for this group of children;

2. That District Boards take the initiative in the endeavor to
provide a program of Christian education for these lambs of Jesus
wherever it is possible to inaugurate special classes for them;

3. That congregations be encouraged to identify the mentally
retarded children in their midst, make the spiritual nurture of these
children a special concern, and provide the necessary help for the
parents of such children.

6. Report of the Committee on Church and State Relations

The Committee on Church and State Relations has been
granted $5,000 by the Committee for Developing Scholarly Re-
search for the purpose of developing a project on Church-State

Soil i ane |

os

rae

at

fe

of

su
ch