LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 204

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Deaf delegate and interpreter

four persons; every 13 seconds a handgun is sold in the
U.S.A., and violent crimes are on the rise in every major
city, a trauma also to surviving relatives, friends, and
others in the community; and

WHEREAS, The increase in violence is mixed with
another grave dimension—the growing number of mur-
_ders of minority persons, racially motivated, particular-
ly the number of Black persons; these incidents are juxta
posed with a new emergence of the Ku Klux Klan and
other similar groups which have gained acceptance in
segments of many communities; therefore be it

Resolved, That we reaffirm our earlier statements
against racism and violence and call upon our congrega-
tions to reaffirm clearly their affirmation of human life
and dignity for all persons and all races; and be it
further

Resolved, That we challenge our congregations to
work for an end of racial violence in their communities,
their states, and country; and be it finally

Resolved, That we invite our members to respond, as
they are able, to support Lutheran ministries to seek
long-term solutions to the problem in their areas.

Action: Adopted (12).

(The convention declined to remove the reference to hand-
guns in the third whereas.)

To Minister to Disabled Persons
and Their Families

RESOLUTION 8-08
Overtures 8-04—8-06 (CW, pp. 304—305)

WHEREAS, Our Lord Christ ministered to all people
regardless of race and condition of life in His teaching
and healing; and

WHEREAS, He commands that we minister to all
people, including those in the church with various
disabilities such as physical handicap, blindness, deaf-
ness, mental retardation, and those with learning dis-
abilities; and

WHEREAS, The year 1981 is designated as the Inter-

RESOLUTIONS 205

national Year of Disabled Persons, which The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod endorsed as partner with the
national committee recognizing such a year; and

WHEREAS, Our congregational leaders as well as
parishioners should seek those with disabilities and
their families in order to bring the Gospel to them and
also to assist them to find help and resources available
in all communities to combat and alleviate problems of
disability; therefore be it

Resolved, That all congregations minister to mem-
bers with disabilities and their families through in-
creased parish awareness and involvement; and be it
further

Resolved, That congregational trustees and elders
look to the removal of barriers which might deny or
limit access to any disabled member and visitor; and be
it finally

Resolved, That aid and assistance also be sought in
this regard from Districts and synodical boards and
commissions.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Respond to Needs
of Aging Members
of the Christian Family

RESOLUTION 8-09
Overture 8-14 (CW, p. 306)

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
has given much attention and concern to the problems
of its older members through the establishment of new
nursing homes and care facilities, in the fiscal support
of established facilities, and in suggesting approaches
to enable the frail elderly to achieve independent living
in the security of their own homes; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Social Ministry and World
Relief has developed some programs such as Project
Compassion to respond to some of the needs of the
aging; and

WHEREAS, The White House Conference on Families
developed a number of recommendations related to the
concerns of the aging, suggesting greater involvement
of the religious community; and

WHEREAS, The 1981 White House Conference on
Aging will offer many suggestions designed to improve
the quality of life for older citizens; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod direct its Board of Social Ministry and World
Relief to study the recommendations of the White House
Conference on the Family and the White House Con-
ference on Aging to determine the relevance and applica-
bility of their findings and to report to the Board of
Directors with proposals that implement such recom-
mendations as are feasible and relevant to our
constituency.