# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S302 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 302 PARISH SERVICES AND YOUTH Ministry believes that, if we work together on these needs in the immediate future, the ministry with youth in our church will be a living sign of God’s presence, a demonstra- tion of hope, and a signal of promise. Boarp oF YOUTH MINISTRY M. J. Stelmachowicz, Chairman Ben Eggers, Executive Secretary Commission for Services to the Mentally Retarded The Commission for Services to the Mentally Retarded is “to continue its devotion to its increasing task” (Milwaukee convention Proceedings, 1971). The increasing task includes changes in community concepts regarding residential living and placement, more adequate programming and services for the retarded and their families, and the continuing need for instructional materials. Financial limitations are felt, of course, but the Commission has forthrightly endeavored to fulfill the duties and functions as set forth by the church in the synodical Handbook (pp. 160, 161). Media Outreach The Commission can now release the television program, “What's Best for Davey?” a 16 mm, color, episode from This Is the Life. Ten reels are on hand for distribution to our parishes. The sound filmstrip, in color, Christian Education of the Mentally Retarded, is available from each District office for parish use and is available also for rent or sale from Con- cordia Publishing House. It is an up-dated teacher in- service training tool. The Star continues as the publication of the Commission relative to news, instruction, and ideas about Christian train- ing of the retarded. Pastors are kept informed through the use of the postcard, Take Five for Mental Retardation, and teachers are kept personally in touch with the Commission via the Jet-Exchange. The Advance magazine has been utilized with published articles to inform our constituency. The tract, We Have a Retarded Child, is in its second print- ing as a handy means used by pastors, teachers, and friends to counsel families with retarded persons. Our display boards are constantly used at meetings and conventions. They are available for parish use also upon request. The Executive Secretary was interviewed on KFUO radio and has promoted the church's concern as a member of the St. Louis Special Lutheran School Board. Materials Production Previous conventions have been alerted to the Commis- sion’s increased involvement in church school instructional materials production through its Committee on Religious Education. Series III of Bible Lessons for Special Classes is in production and as of this convention has four Sets of the projected eight Sets ready for market. Moreover, a pilot- project for vacation Bible school is now ready for use this summer. With the cooperation of Concordia Publishing House we are making this material widely available in order to determine the potential for greater use of such classes as mission and evangelism outreaches to the unchurched among the retarded families of the community. Teacher-Training Institutes Since its establishment, the Commission has conducted Institutes and training programs at 35 locations across the country. Professional Lutheran educators have been en- gaged to help conduct six workshops sponsored by congre- gations and agencies during these 2 years. As a result of these Institutes, the Commission has realized an increase in the number of religious education classes that have been established and are currently operating throughout the country. Moreover, we now conduct the annual survey of existing Sunday school classes for the mentally retarded. The number of classes as well as the number of persons served has grown steadily since 1963 when reliable data was first collected. There are now 330 classes in operation serv- ing 2,000 pupils. By holding such meetings the Commission has its greatest success meeting the local church members. This needs expansion. Seminary and College Programs Involvement of seminary students with programs for the retarded in the community continues. The design is to acquaint the ministerial candidates about retardation and related family adjustments before they accept their first parish. Increased interest on Concordia campuses in teach- ing the retarded has resulted in a coordinating committee meeting of representatives from the colleges and the Board for Higher Education in order to be jointly informed of the potential for curriculum needs and the placement of grad- uates. More intensive ministry to our parishes raises the possibility of training Directors of Exceptional Education (DEE) on one or more of our campuses. Moreover, needs do grow for teachers at our residential centers and at Lu- theran special schools in St. Louis and Milwaukee. Residential Care Facilities New facilities for a caring ministry are part of our parish concern with the establishment of Good Shepherd Home at Cornelius, Oreg., near Portland and Good Samaritan Home at Cypress, Tex., near Houston. In the light of changing concepts toward greater community involvement in residen- tial living units caution is suggested for our Districts, churches, and members to be aware of this change relative to Lutheran placement too. Such involvement implies greater acceptance and involvement in our worship services and other church activities. New Horizons The Milwaukee convention urged . . the Board of Directors ... to remain aware of developments in the work of the Commission and concerned about the financial sup- port of this ministry.” Consequently, we are now launched on a new venture of fund-raising. This new responsibility has been given to the Commission by the Board of Directors at its March 1973 meeting, not as a means of reducing or eliminating the church’s overriding concern for the retarded from the annual budget. but to seek additional funds to supplement the programmatic objectives of the Commission. The charge was “to develop a promotional package to seek funds” and an increase in the 1973 budget was voted to accomplish that. The Convention Work-Study committee will see reflected in the 1974 proposed budget the aspirations of the Commis- sion and its hopes for success in raising funds for program expansion. Our own members can make note of this opportunity for sharing financially in this ministry by acquainting fellow parishioners, schools, auxiliaries, and church service agen- cies to write the Commission of proposed projects to sponsor. At the same time in the interest of economy and to con- solidate publication, The Star will become the one paper to be published by the Commission. Take Five and the Jet- Exchange will be incorporated into The Star. Other official church publications will be utilized as necessary for general promotion of the Commission’s work. God blesses our church in ministry to the retarded and their families. Pray for continued strength of purpose that the power of the Holy Spirit move the Commission and the church in general to wider outreach to our parishes and to each retarded person. Members are: Chairman Rev. Hans Voss, Professor Leah Serck, secretary, Chaplain Harry Timm, Teacher Paul Hill- mann, Layman Victor Bunge, Executive Secretary Marshall R. Nelson. COMMISSION FOR SERVICES TO THE MENTALLY RETARDED Marshall R. Nelson, Executive Secretary 7-04 Report of Council of Administrators on Milwaukee Resolution 7-15 (Walther League) In Resolution 7-15 the Milwaukee convention resolved: “That the Council of Administrators be instructed to define the role and relationship of the Walther League to the Synod