# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S100 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 100 SYNODICAL REPORTS Next Triennium Major Goals: * Promote and recruit men and women who are committed to the confession of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for service in chaplaincy, counseling, and clinical education. ¢ Promote and support the endorsement of community chaplaincy for police, fire, and emergency personnel. * Provide orthodox devotional materials for use by chaplains. * Promote and provide opportunities for clinical training in prison and jail ministry. * Promote and support the work of maritime chaplaincy. ¢ Promote and support the clinical training necessary for endorse- ment for counseling. LCMS Health Ministries This unit of LCMS World Relief and Human Care promotes the vision of stewardship of the gift of life and the journey toward the individual Christian’s wholeness in the context of the community of believers, encouraging the whole church to embrace this vision. Past Triennium Major Accomplishments: ¢ Maintained LCMS Parish Nurse Directory, which currently lists more than 650 parish nurses as the Synod continues to be a re- spected leader in this ministry to LCMS congregations and church workers and as a community outreach both locally and interna- tionally. Through Congregational Health Ministries/Parish Nursing, pro- vided support for this growing ministry, which includes Parish Nurse District Representatives appointed by 31 District Presi- dents, and who submit quarterly reports, meet annually, and par- ticipate in monthly electronic discussions initiated by Dr. Marcia Schnorr. Developed and supported an extensive Web site of. information on parish nursing and other health initiatives in support of LCMS Congregational Health Ministries and as an outreach and partner- ship to the faith community. Co-sponsored Health Parks at the 2002 Lutheran Education As- sociation Convocation and the 2003 Lutheran Women’s Mission- ary League Convention along with Wheat Ridge Ministries and Worker Benefit Plans to provide participants with health- and wellness-assessment opportunities and health education. Consulted and supported the voluntary Five District Staff Well- Workplace Initiative using the Wellness Council of America’s as- sessment model and supported by a grant from Thrivent Finan- cial for Lutherans. Produced “Healthy People 2010—The Church Edition” in sup- port of the national initiative to improve the health of all people in the United States and to provide Christian motivation and posi- tion the plan in Christian life. Expanded the health and wellness initiatives at the LCMS Inter- national Center with the support of the employee wellness com- mittee, lifestyle assessment questionnaires, and interest surveys to include a variety of ongoing exercise programs, health screen- ings, and health education opportunities. Coordinated a work-site assessment program for the LCMS In- ternational Center, Concordia Publishing House, Concordia Sem- inary, and Lutheran Hour Ministries as one of five sites in the pilot Missouri Diabetes Prevention Program examining risk fac- tors that contribute to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Sponsored an ongoing program to assist congregations and their leaders in reaching out to mentally ill members and their families through National Alliance for the Mentally Tl workshops, church- bulletin inserts, presentations by volunteer Linda Preus, and the development of literature supported by a Thrivent grant. Supported the Deaconess Task Force of LCMS World Relief and Human Care, organized to foster placement of deaconesses in LCMS congregations and to identify opportunities for service and obstacles to placement. 2004 Convention Workbook Next Triennium Major Goals: * Continue to support health-ministry programs, especially parish nursing, both in congregations and in expanding outreach to com- munities, providing support and opportunity for the Synod’s goal of reaching 100 million people with the Gospel by 2017. ¢ Partner with Districts and congregations to identify and advocate for the under-served within our congregations and community outreach providing further support for “One Mission—Ablaze!” ¢ Partner with LCMS World Relief in support of disaster relief and seek opportunities to serve. ¢ Increase the number of congregations we support through health- ministry initiatives. ¢ Intentionally advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities and chronic mental illnesses in our congregations and communities. ¢ Focus on ministry to those affected by HIV/AIDS. ¢ Share healthy lifestyle resources, as available, with other ministry units, both nationally and regionally. ¢ Support congregations in the supportive and healthy care of their workers by developing resources to promote and encourage such behaviors in the context of congregational life. ¢ Publish additional health-ministry resources as needed to support our mission. ¢ Continue to promote the placement of deaconesses as commis- sioned workers in all areas of appropriate diaconal service. Strategic Partnerships LCMS World Relief and Human Care partners with Synod en- tities and, on behalf of the Synod, with significant inter-Lutheran organizations to reach out in mercy and compassion in the clear name of Jesus. Partnerships include these: ¢ Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), by providing additional funding in response to heightened restrictions on im- migration in the United States since September | 1th. LCMS World Relief and Human Care supports the ministry of this im- portant partner to assure a continuing Lutheran presence for new- comers to this land of opportunity. ¢ Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), which was thrust into a new dimension by September 11 and the U.S. war on terrorism. In re- sponse to the needs of terrorist victims, LDR worked with estab- lished agencies in New Jersey and the Washington, D.C., area and was involved in creating the new LDR-NY and the program “Comfort & Renew.” LCMS donors responded in remarkable ways, including financial support exceeding $4 million for such projects as New Ground Day Camp, tuition assistance for families with students in Lutheran schools, Care for Caregivers, and many others. Natural disasters also contributed to needs. LDR began the work of rebuilding after Tropical Storm Allison damaged and destroyed thousands of homes in the Houston, Tex., area. Additional flooding in Texas and other states provided avenues for aid and assistance to more people in need. Camp Noah, a week-long day camp for young flood survivors, provided spiritual and emotional care for hundreds of children in Houston and other sites in the U.S. Tornadoes swept the central Midwest and devastated whole neighborhoods and com- munities in Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, and beyond. Fires in the western U.S., particularly in Colorado and California, destroyed thousands of acres and hundreds of residences. LCMS World Relief and Human Care Communications assisted in developing the new LDR Web site and produced the LDR resource kit on CD. The 2001 Biennial Consultation in New York City recognized agencies that provided leadership and expertise in response to nat- ural and human-caused disasters for contributions to the commu- nity and to the church. ¢ Lutheran World Relief (LWR) continues to be supported by LCMS World Relief and Human Care in bringing disaster relief and self-sufficiency to a world in need. LWR, ELCA World