# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S722 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 722 MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS A STATISTICAL OVERVIEW OF OUR CHURCH’S WIDESPREAD WELFARE ACTIVITIES Institutional Chaplaincies Full-time chaplains, 85. Part-time chaplains, 400 (estimated). Statistics are incomplete, but at least 689,422 people in 599 in- stitutions in 21 states have been served by these chaplains in the year 1955. 24,000 services and Bible classes were conducted in institutions, and 778 people were baptized. 270 people were con- firmed, and 17,880 were communed. 517 bodies were given Chris- tian burial, and 4,010 people were referred to our churches. Many other activities were conducted, and much help was given in many needs. Hospitals Again, statistics are incomplete, but we have 29 hospitals in 14 states. These hospitals provided care for 109,192 people in 1955. 773,012 days’ care was given. 5,881 physicians and nurses served in these hospitals. Child-Care-Centered Service Agencies In 1955 we had 20 agencies in 19 states. We had 1,670 children under eare as of December 31, 1955. We placed 1,235 children in foster homes in 1955. Our service personnel consisted of 297 workers. Family-Centered Service Agencies Service to families is a new development of our work. In 1955 we had only two agencies whose work is centered in family service, one in Chicago and one in Fort Wayne, which served 1,244 families. Plans for the establishment of agencies in other cities are in the making. Old People’s Homes and Services In 1955 we had 19 homes and services for the aging in 14 states. 1,029 people were sheltered in these homes as of Decem- ber 31, 1955. Many others were given counseling and aid. Women’s Auxiliaries Almost all Lutheran welfare agencies are assisted in their work by groups of devoted women organized under various titles but functioning as auxiliary agencies. Most welfare agencies could not \ i ? j i i hi al tt q@q@mret ee eet dO te Lan! nw eo. us be