LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 74

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74 SYNODICAL REPORTS

circulated to congregations seeking to identify needs in their
surrounding neighborhoods. Call 1-800-248-1930, ext. 1394.

* Housing Ministry Technical Bulletins. Information sheets from
LCMS Housing Ministry on topics like beginning a housing min-
istry in a local church. The bulletins are circulated as requested
by individual churches, Districts, or social ministry organiza-
tions. Call 1-800-248-1930, ext. 1394.

e “23 Ways YOU Can Build Ministry through Housing,” a
brochure provided to Districts, congregations, and individuals on
request. Call 1-800-248-1930, ext. 1394.

“Building the Network,” free older adult ministry quarterly
newsletter provides news and resources. Call 1-800-248-1930,
ext. 1278.

Older Adult Ministries Resource Packet for planning, promoting,
and beginning older adult ministry in the local congregation. Call
1-800-248-1930, ext. 1278.

Older Adult Managers Roy Brockopp and Duane Hingst are
available to conduct workshops and assist as needed. Call 1-800-
248-1930, ext. 1278.

Mission Project Ideas for Adults: Mission Projects Prayer Book-
marks, vol. | (featuring Brazil, Ghana, Papua New Guinea, Rus-
sia, and the U.S.) and vol. 2 (Cote d’lvoire, Russia, U.S.,
Venezuela, and Vietnam) offer reproducible photos, country de-
scriptions, project information, and prayer thoughts with oppor-
tunities to support a specific project financially. Suitable for adult
Bible classes and women’s or men’s organizations. Free.

Mission Project Ideas for Children: Good News for the World, vol.
14 (featuring Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Sudan) Good News for the
World, vo]. 13 (Nicaragua, Russia, and South Africa) and Good
News for the World. vol. 12 (Argentina, Guinea, and Laos) offer
reproducible photos, country descriptions, project information, and
activity ideas for teachers and parents. Suitable for Sunday schools,
Christian day schools, and vacation Bible schools. Free.

Video series: Making a World of Difference ... in Guatemala
(new), Making a World of Difference ... in West Africa; and
Making a World of Difference ... in the Philippines. Free on loan.
Domestic Grant brochure. Includes information on criteria and
process for funding congregational and/or agency efforts to initi-
ate new or enhance existing human care ministries.

LCMS World Relief and Board for Human Care Ministries Re-
source Packet. Catalog of resources to assist a variety of min-
istries. Includes alternative gift catalog. Lists resources includ-
ing videos, mission projects, and children’s resources.

Web site worldrelief.lcms.org offers up-to-date information on
disasters, self-help projects, resources, and opportunities for in-
volvement.

“LSA Today,” the LSA Annual Report, directory of SMOs, ser-
vices, employment opportunities, publications, videos, etc., are
available at lutheranservices.org. Directories are also available
at humancare.lems.org/smo/smo.htm.

Manual for Ecclesiastical Specialized Pastoral Care Endorsement.
“Gesundheit,” a bi-monthly newsletter, shares news and re-
sources with District ministerial health leaders.

“Cross and Caduceus,” with its focus on wholistic health, is is-
sued three times a year and edited by Rev. Howard Mueller.
“Alert.” edited by Rev. Gerald Garrett, is published several times
a year to assist in the church’s response to the HIV/AIDS pan-
demic.

“Parish Nurse Newsletter,” published four times a year, provides
ongoing resources to persons interested in parish nursing and
health ministries.

Major Achievements of the Past Triennium

The initiation of a new logo and identity.

The creation of anew Human Care Ministries emphasis Sunday
in February.

An increase in participation by congregations recognizing
Human Care Ministries Sunday. In 1999, approximately 195

2001 Convention Workbook

congregations requested materials; in 2001, nearly 900 congre-
gations received resources.

* Administrative assistant Gale Carr celebrated her 20th anniver-
sary of working for Human Care Ministries.

* Rev. Carlos Hernandez was called to serve as the resource person
for human care development in Districts and congregations.

* Rev. Matthew Harrison was called to serve as executive director.

Major Goals and Challenges for the Next Triennium

.

Completion of the book A Simple Guide for Human Care Min-
istries.

Policy development reflecting new visions for revenue raising
and fund disbursement throughout Human Care Ministries and
LCMS World Relief.

Extensive development of resources for Human Care Ministries
programming that will be available electronically to any congre-
gation or individual secking guidance.

Establishment of closer ties with Lutheran auxiliaries that share
the same ministry goals as Human Care Ministries.

Intensified efforts to positively affect the health of our congrega-
tions, our church workers and members. and their communities.

Dorothy Prybylski, Interim Executive Director

R6-02
Board of Managers—Worker Benefit Plans

For more than 35 years, Worker Benefit Plans has been “‘Serv-
ing Those in His Service” by playing a supportive role to those
faithfully ministering in our congregations, schools, agencies, and
District and synodical offices. The comprehensive benefits offered
by the Plans—retirement, health, disability, vision, and survivor—
provide more than 28,000 church workers and their families relief
from anxiety about financial concerns of health-care expenses, loss
of income due to disability or death, and future retirement income.
With those concerns no longer a distraction, these faithful servants
can more intently focus on their commission to “Tell the Good
News about Jesus.”

As a self-funded benefit program, the staff of the Worker Ben-
efit Plans (WBP), working with the Board of Managers, is ever
mindful of being good stewards with contribution dollars entrusted
to provide these many benefits. The LCMS Board of Directors ap-
points the Board of Managers for WBP, except for the Chief Fi-
nancial Officer of the Synod (who is appointed in convention).
With the challenges over the past three years of ever-rising medical
costs, changing government regulations, and fluctuating investment
markets, the Board of Managers—-Worker Benefit Plans performed
the following:

* Continued to make sound investments that produced return rates of

3 Yr. SYr.
1998 1999 2000 Ave. Ave.
Concordia Retirement Plan
(CRP) 18.0% 14.7% 0.2% 10.3% 13.5%
Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan
(CDSP) 43% 8.9% 0.0% 4.2% 9.5%
Concordia Health Plan
(CHP) 6.6% (2.8%) 8.6% 4.0% 5.0%
Pension Plan for Pastors and Teachers (PPT)
Reserve Account 92K (4.3%) 8.5% 4.2% TO%
Annuity Account 12.3% 5.6% (1.3%) 5.49% 6.1%

* Implemented the Supplemental Retirement Account (SRA) for
more than 28,000 active workers at no cost to the employer or the
worker.

* Increased monthly benefits for more than 7,500 retirees (those re-
tired prior to 1/1/98) by | % for each year since retirement, with a
minimum of 5% and a maximum of 20%.