# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S96 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 96 SYNOD REPORTS ¢ During the Housing Corporation’s first six months, provided 1,600 hours of technical assistance to LCMS congregations, dis- ‘tricts, and Recognized Service Organizations. * Began to implement a Web-based grants management system to receive federal, private, and corporate funds. Next Triennium Goals: * Continue to provide support to neighborhood and community de- velopment efforts maintained by or associated with LCMS con- gregations, districts, and Recognized Service Organizations that help revitalize communities or prevent community deterioration. This support will include: financial support (grants, loans, and guarantees); consultations (on obtaining financing from other sources); technical staff; and technical assistance. * Obtain financing from private and government sources to support the corporation’s mission as the Synod’s housing ministry arm. LCMS World Relief and Human Care Resources *LCMS World Relief and Human Care Web site, worldrelief. Icms.org. * Sharing, bimonthly, two-page print newsletter spotlighting disas- ter response and self-help development ministries of LCMS World Relief and Human Care. * Caring, news and features about LCMS World Relief and Human Care’s work of mercy in a 20-page, magazine-style print newslet- ter published three times a year. ¢ Making a World of Difference DVD tells the story of LCMS World Relief and Human Care in four segments, illustrating: work with missionaries and national partner churches, congrega- tions, Lutheran social ministry organizations, and Lutheran part- ners. * Series of booklets on theological insights includes these titles, plus more: ° Theology for Mercy by Rev. Matthew C. Harrison * The Church’s Role of Mercy in the Community by Rev. Matthew C, Harrison ¢ One Loving God: Two Hands—Serving and Caring, a paper by the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations of the Lutheran Church of Australia * Theological and Personal Reflections on Confessional Lutheran Involvement in Neighborhood Renewal by Rev. Matthew C. Har- rison * On the Duties of Ministers of the Church by Johann Gerhard * Fight, Work, Pray! Luther on the Lord’s Supper and Care for the Needy by Martin Luther * Ordinance of a Common Chest by Martin Luther ¢ Walther on Mercy: Selections on the Pastoral Office, the Congre- gation and the Church's Corporate Diukonic Life by C. F. W. Walther ¢ Sanctification and Charitable Works in Lutheran Theology by Rev. Matthew C. Harrison ¢ Clergy Mental Health and the Doctrine of Justification by Robert D. Preus Christian Citizenship * Mercy Notes, public policy electronic newsletter on governmental and human care issues of interest to Christian citizens. Sub- scribers also receive Just In From the Hill, a legislative update distributed electronically. Chaplaincy * A Pastoral Touch, quarterly online newsletter reaches out to chap- lains, pastoral counselors, and pastoral care educators who serve in specialized settings. Life Ministries * Notes for Life, informative articles about sanctity of life issues (abortion, euthanasia, bioethics, and more), published quarterly and available electronically. 2007 Convention Workbook ¢A Small Catechism on Human Life, hardbound volume explores timely topics like abortion, bioethics, and end-of-life issues through the Lutheran lens of Luther’s Small Cathechism. ¢ “Chastity Talks” presented by Life Ministries director with teens about life issues and proper Christian sexuality. Deaconess Ministry ¢ Mercy Works, quarterly print magazine explores ministries and opportunities for diakonia (service to others and care for their needs), including the deaconess ministry. ¢ In Service to Our Lord, DVD spotlights the ministry of dea- conesses—women who are called to serve the church to provide diakonal care, including works of mercy, spiritual care, and teach- ing the faith. Districts and Congregations ¢ Planting Gospel Seeds while Serving Human Needs and Congre- gation-Based Disaster Response brochures. ¢ Workshops on: Mission Development Through Human Care Min- istries—Cultivating New Relationships for Gospel Proclamation; Spiritual and Emotional Care After Disasters—Understanding and Coping with Post-Traumatic Stress; Congregational Re- sponses to Community Needs After a Disaster—From Relief to Recovery, Stabilization and Reconstruction. Social Ministry Organizations ¢ Find a Social Ministry, Web site link provides organization names and contact information for LCMS World Relief and Human Care Recognized Service Organizations across the coun- try, at world relief.lcms.org. Health Ministries °A Letter of Peace and Good Health, by Rev. Dr. James P. Wind, health-affirming and wellness-enhancing resource for church leaders and congregations. ¢ Disabilities Ministry: congregational assessment tool evaluates buildings, worship, and congregational attitudes; brochure and DVD assist congregations in welcoming people with disabilities. ¢ Congregational Health Ministries/Parish Nursing: manual assists congregations starting a health ministry; annually updated direc- tory lists congregational health ministries/parish nurses; Parish Nurse informational brochure, available in English and Spanish; LCMS Parish Nurse Newsletter, quarterly electronic newsletter provides news, networking and resources. * You Are Not Alone, DVD supports congregations in ministry to those with chronic mental illness and their families in partnership with National Alliance on Mental Illness. ¢ Health Fair manual, resource to assist congregations with health initiatives. Youth Corps ¢ Teaching Mercy through Service Learning, print monograph for teachers and youth leaders, with ideas for incorporating service learning into school or midweek curriculum; workshop also avail- able. ¢ Theology for Mercy, print Bible study to guide school faculties in study of theology for mercy in context of Lutheran school setting. ¢ School chapel offering brochure, highlights LCMS World Relief and Human Care projects that are supported with promotional materials; published annually in print and online. * Good News for the World, for children’s ministries, highlights projects and provides activities; published annually and available in print. Matthew Harrison, Executive Director