LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 100

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

100 SYNODICAL REPORTS

Next Triennium Major Goals:

* Promote and recruit men and women who are committed to the
confession of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for service
in chaplaincy, counseling, and clinical education.

¢ Promote and support the endorsement of community chaplaincy
for police, fire, and emergency personnel.

* Provide orthodox devotional materials for use by chaplains.

* Promote and provide opportunities for clinical training in prison
and jail ministry.

* Promote and support the work of maritime chaplaincy.

¢ Promote and support the clinical training necessary for endorse-
ment for counseling.

LCMS Health Ministries

This unit of LCMS World Relief and Human Care promotes the
vision of stewardship of the gift of life and the journey toward the
individual Christian’s wholeness in the context of the community
of believers, encouraging the whole church to embrace this vision.

Past Triennium Major Accomplishments:

¢ Maintained LCMS Parish Nurse Directory, which currently lists
more than 650 parish nurses as the Synod continues to be a re-
spected leader in this ministry to LCMS congregations and church
workers and as a community outreach both locally and interna-
tionally.

Through Congregational Health Ministries/Parish Nursing, pro-
vided support for this growing ministry, which includes Parish
Nurse District Representatives appointed by 31 District Presi-
dents, and who submit quarterly reports, meet annually, and par-
ticipate in monthly electronic discussions initiated by Dr. Marcia
Schnorr.

Developed and supported an extensive Web site of. information
on parish nursing and other health initiatives in support of LCMS
Congregational Health Ministries and as an outreach and partner-
ship to the faith community.

Co-sponsored Health Parks at the 2002 Lutheran Education As-
sociation Convocation and the 2003 Lutheran Women’s Mission-
ary League Convention along with Wheat Ridge Ministries and
Worker Benefit Plans to provide participants with health- and
wellness-assessment opportunities and health education.

Consulted and supported the voluntary Five District Staff Well-
Workplace Initiative using the Wellness Council of America’s as-
sessment model and supported by a grant from Thrivent Finan-
cial for Lutherans.

Produced “Healthy People 2010—The Church Edition” in sup-
port of the national initiative to improve the health of all people in
the United States and to provide Christian motivation and posi-
tion the plan in Christian life.

Expanded the health and wellness initiatives at the LCMS Inter-
national Center with the support of the employee wellness com-
mittee, lifestyle assessment questionnaires, and interest surveys
to include a variety of ongoing exercise programs, health screen-
ings, and health education opportunities.

Coordinated a work-site assessment program for the LCMS In-
ternational Center, Concordia Publishing House, Concordia Sem-
inary, and Lutheran Hour Ministries as one of five sites in the
pilot Missouri Diabetes Prevention Program examining risk fac-
tors that contribute to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Sponsored an ongoing program to assist congregations and their
leaders in reaching out to mentally ill members and their families
through National Alliance for the Mentally Tl workshops, church-
bulletin inserts, presentations by volunteer Linda Preus, and the
development of literature supported by a Thrivent grant.
Supported the Deaconess Task Force of LCMS World Relief and
Human Care, organized to foster placement of deaconesses in
LCMS congregations and to identify opportunities for service and
obstacles to placement.

2004 Convention Workbook

Next Triennium Major Goals:

* Continue to support health-ministry programs, especially parish
nursing, both in congregations and in expanding outreach to com-
munities, providing support and opportunity for the Synod’s goal
of reaching 100 million people with the Gospel by 2017.

¢ Partner with Districts and congregations to identify and advocate
for the under-served within our congregations and community
outreach providing further support for “One Mission—Ablaze!”

¢ Partner with LCMS World Relief in support of disaster relief and
seek opportunities to serve.

¢ Increase the number of congregations we support through health-
ministry initiatives.

¢ Intentionally advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with
disabilities and chronic mental illnesses in our congregations and
communities.

¢ Focus on ministry to those affected by HIV/AIDS.

¢ Share healthy lifestyle resources, as available, with other ministry
units, both nationally and regionally.

¢ Support congregations in the supportive and healthy care of their
workers by developing resources to promote and encourage such
behaviors in the context of congregational life.

¢ Publish additional health-ministry resources as needed to support
our mission.

¢ Continue to promote the placement of deaconesses as commis-
sioned workers in all areas of appropriate diaconal service.

Strategic Partnerships

LCMS World Relief and Human Care partners with Synod en-
tities and, on behalf of the Synod, with significant inter-Lutheran
organizations to reach out in mercy and compassion in the clear
name of Jesus. Partnerships include these:
¢ Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), by providing

additional funding in response to heightened restrictions on im-
migration in the United States since September | 1th. LCMS
World Relief and Human Care supports the ministry of this im-
portant partner to assure a continuing Lutheran presence for new-
comers to this land of opportunity.

¢ Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), which was thrust into a new
dimension by September 11 and the U.S. war on terrorism. In re-
sponse to the needs of terrorist victims, LDR worked with estab-
lished agencies in New Jersey and the Washington, D.C., area and
was involved in creating the new LDR-NY and the program
“Comfort & Renew.” LCMS donors responded in remarkable
ways, including financial support exceeding $4 million for such
projects as New Ground Day Camp, tuition assistance for families
with students in Lutheran schools, Care for Caregivers, and many
others.

Natural disasters also contributed to needs. LDR began the work
of rebuilding after Tropical Storm Allison damaged and destroyed
thousands of homes in the Houston, Tex., area. Additional flooding
in Texas and other states provided avenues for aid and assistance to
more people in need. Camp Noah, a week-long day camp for young
flood survivors, provided spiritual and emotional care for hundreds
of children in Houston and other sites in the U.S. Tornadoes swept
the central Midwest and devastated whole neighborhoods and com-
munities in Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, and beyond. Fires in the
western U.S., particularly in Colorado and California, destroyed
thousands of acres and hundreds of residences.

LCMS World Relief and Human Care Communications assisted in
developing the new LDR Web site and produced the LDR resource
kit on CD.

The 2001 Biennial Consultation in New York City recognized

agencies that provided leadership and expertise in response to nat-

ural and human-caused disasters for contributions to the commu-

nity and to the church.

¢ Lutheran World Relief (LWR) continues to be supported by
LCMS World Relief and Human Care in bringing disaster relief
and self-sufficiency to a world in need. LWR, ELCA World