LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 277

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PARISH SERVICES 277

Classes continue to provide congregations with unique re-
sources for an educational ministry with persons who are
mentally retarded.

This year, 1981, is the International Year of the Disabled
Person. This special designation provides an unique occasion
and impetus to highlight also in LCMS congregations the
worth of the disabled and handicapped. The sensory impaired
(blind and deaf), the physically and mentally handicapped—
all are precious to the God who created all people and redeemed
them in His Son. Christians need to see the disabled/handi-
capped, not as objects to be ministered to, but as fellow
Christians who are themselves equipped to do the work of
ministry with all God’s people.

To promote this goal the board, in cooperation with Synod’s
Board of Social Ministry and World Relief, under the auspices
of the Coordinating Committee for Cooperative Projects in
Congregational Life, provided each congregation in Synod
with a packet for ministry with the disabled. Funding for the
packet was provided by a grant from the members of the Aid
Association for Lutherans. The packet contains a five-session
Bible study, a handbook of resources and suggestions for
congregational ministry with the disabled, a brochure on
adapting and building facilities to promote ministry with the
disabled, and worship and sermonic helps.

Materials for use with vacation Bible school classes are
being correlated more closely with the materials for regular
classes so that pupils who are mentally retarded and others
can be more aware of their oneness in learning about Jesus
their Savior. The board edits and produces an annual guide for
teachers of vacation Bible school classes for retarded students.

Our ministry with blind persons is aimed primarily at youth
and young adults who are enrolledin publicinstitutions for the
blind. In cooperation with the Library for the Blind under the
Board for Missions Teen Time magazine is mailed to 17
countries.

F. Vacation Bible Schools

Operating a vacation Bible school provides congregations
with atwofold advantage. First, the VBS serves those learners
who participate in other Christian education programs by
reinforcing previous learning through concentrated study of
some aspect of Christian doctrine. Second, it provides unique
evangelism opportunities. Parents and children who are not
yet ready for the commitment required in other agencies are
frequently willing to attend a vacation Bible school that lasts
one or two weeks. Getting such people to come brings them in
contact with the Gospel and under the Holy Spirit’s influence.
Who can predict what the results will be? We trust that God the
Holy Spirit will bless the teaching of His Word.

Aggressive efforts are needed to stimulate summer Chris-
tian education programs. If traditional patterns are no longer
successful, alternate programs should be explored. Evening
sessions have helped some congregations, making it possible
for parents to attend too. Sunday school teachers and other
adults employed during the day are able to attend and also
teach. Neighborhood backyard schools are being held success-
fully, as well as camps, day camps, and retreats. Some
congregations join forces with others to broaden their outreach.
Opportunities are limited only by the imaginativeness of
planners. Valuable suggestions are offered in Bulletin No.
50279, ‘“‘Creative Summer Programs in Christian Education,”
available from the Board of Parish Education, 3558 South
Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118.

The VBS course emphasis for 1981 is aptly described by the
title, “Promises, Promises—from God!” The 1982 course deals
with the creating and preserving action of God under the title,
“Me and All Creatures.”

As in the past, teachers of students with Jearning dif-
ficulties have available a separate teachers manual that
provides valuable suggestions for conducting a class using the
same theme as the regular program.

Visually handicapped students can also receive our VBS
materials in sightsaving print and in Braille by requesting the
material from the Library for the Blind at least one month
before the congregation’s VBS program.

G. Interaction

Interaction magazine is in its third decade as the primary

resource for church school teachers. The mixture of articles—
theological, educational, practical—offers the teacher back-
ground, ideas, and helps for effective and successful teaching
experiences. Present design of the magazine—an every-month
practical newsletter and an every-other-month magazine—
makes Interaction even more valuable for volunteer teachers.

Congregations should seriously consider subscribing to this
synodical publication for everyone involved in their education
programs.

H. Children’s Hymnals

Joyful Sounds, published in 1977, is widely used, not only in
the target audience (grades 3 to 8), but also by youth groups,
senior citizens, and other organizations in the church.

A committee of representatives from the Board of Parish
Education, the Commission on Worship, and Concordia Pub-
lishing House is exploring possibilities for a new or revised
primary hymnal to replace the decades-old hymnals now being
used: A Child’s Garden of Song and Little Children, Sing to

‘od.

I. Children’s Services Committee

A joint committee of staff members from the board and from
Concordia Publishing House meets regularly to commission,
process, or develop resources for children’s services. These are
annual resources for Christmas and special services as needs
arise. The Christmas resources now include prepared services
and suggestions for congregations that wish to develop their
own services.

J. Youth Materials

In the past biennium the board surveyed youth, high school
teachers, youth counselors, and parents to appraise interests
and spiritual needs of youth. The following NEW courses were
published to meet those needs:

God, Me, and Others. Enables youth to look at themselves in
the light of Scripture and work through their relationships
with God and others using Philippians and Colossians as
resources for the study.

And God Saw that It Was Good. A Scripture-based study of
sex, sexuality, love, and marriage as they affect young people
today.

My Family, My Friends. Helps young people to integrate
Christian theology with family living.

Come, Follow. A study of what it means to be a disciple of
Christ, applying Gospel power for young persons as they deal
with doubt, loneliness, and fear.

Classroom to Career. A Bible-based study of Christian faith
and vocations.

In addition, youth Bible class editor Ted Schroeder and
Board of Youth Ministry executive Rich Bimler coauthored a
guide for youth teachers, What’s the Good Word for Youth?

K. Adult Materials

The Dallas convention resolved “that every congregation of
the Synod be encouraged to provide small group sessions on
Sunday and on weekdays to help adults study the Scriptures,
the Lutheran Confessions, and current issues and that special
attention be given the adult Biblical and confessional studies
being published in the program “That We May Grow” (Res.
7-04).

The St. Louis convention (1979) commended the Board of
Parish Education and the CTCR for “the production of the
series ‘That We May Grow’ ” and recommended “that con-
gregations of the Synod be encouraged to use these materials
more fully” (Res. 7-08).

Continuing high sales of “That We May Grow” attest to the
value of these studies of Bible books and the Lutheran
Confessions.

As a follow-up to “That We May Grow,” the Board is placing
top priority on preparing Bible-book courses in its 13-session-
per-quarter courses. These courses are designed especially for
Sunday morning use. The following new courses are now
available in this program:

By His Mighty Hand (Exodus)
To God’s Loved Children (Epistles of John)