LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 96

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96 SYNOD REPORTS

¢ During the Housing Corporation’s first six months, provided
1,600 hours of technical assistance to LCMS congregations, dis-
‘tricts, and Recognized Service Organizations.

* Began to implement a Web-based grants management system to
receive federal, private, and corporate funds.

Next Triennium Goals:

* Continue to provide support to neighborhood and community de-
velopment efforts maintained by or associated with LCMS con-
gregations, districts, and Recognized Service Organizations that
help revitalize communities or prevent community deterioration.
This support will include: financial support (grants, loans, and
guarantees); consultations (on obtaining financing from other
sources); technical staff; and technical assistance.

* Obtain financing from private and government sources to support
the corporation’s mission as the Synod’s housing ministry arm.

LCMS World Relief and Human Care Resources

*LCMS World Relief and Human Care Web site, worldrelief.
Icms.org.

* Sharing, bimonthly, two-page print newsletter spotlighting disas-
ter response and self-help development ministries of LCMS
World Relief and Human Care.

* Caring, news and features about LCMS World Relief and Human
Care’s work of mercy in a 20-page, magazine-style print newslet-
ter published three times a year.

¢ Making a World of Difference DVD tells the story of LCMS
World Relief and Human Care in four segments, illustrating:
work with missionaries and national partner churches, congrega-
tions, Lutheran social ministry organizations, and Lutheran part-
ners.

* Series of booklets on theological insights includes these titles,
plus more:
° Theology for Mercy by Rev. Matthew C. Harrison
* The Church’s Role of Mercy in the Community by Rev. Matthew
C, Harrison

¢ One Loving God: Two Hands—Serving and Caring, a paper by the
Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations of the
Lutheran Church of Australia

* Theological and Personal Reflections on Confessional Lutheran
Involvement in Neighborhood Renewal by Rev. Matthew C. Har-
rison

* On the Duties of Ministers of the Church by Johann Gerhard

* Fight, Work, Pray! Luther on the Lord’s Supper and Care for the
Needy by Martin Luther

* Ordinance of a Common Chest by Martin Luther

¢ Walther on Mercy: Selections on the Pastoral Office, the Congre-
gation and the Church's Corporate Diukonic Life by C. F. W.
Walther

¢ Sanctification and Charitable Works in Lutheran Theology by
Rev. Matthew C. Harrison

¢ Clergy Mental Health and the Doctrine of Justification by Robert
D. Preus

Christian Citizenship

* Mercy Notes, public policy electronic newsletter on governmental
and human care issues of interest to Christian citizens. Sub-
scribers also receive Just In From the Hill, a legislative update
distributed electronically.

Chaplaincy

* A Pastoral Touch, quarterly online newsletter reaches out to chap-
lains, pastoral counselors, and pastoral care educators who serve
in specialized settings.

Life Ministries

* Notes for Life, informative articles about sanctity of life issues
(abortion, euthanasia, bioethics, and more), published quarterly
and available electronically.

2007 Convention Workbook

¢A Small Catechism on Human Life, hardbound volume explores
timely topics like abortion, bioethics, and end-of-life issues
through the Lutheran lens of Luther’s Small Cathechism.

¢ “Chastity Talks” presented by Life Ministries director with teens
about life issues and proper Christian sexuality.

Deaconess Ministry

¢ Mercy Works, quarterly print magazine explores ministries and
opportunities for diakonia (service to others and care for their
needs), including the deaconess ministry.

¢ In Service to Our Lord, DVD spotlights the ministry of dea-
conesses—women who are called to serve the church to provide
diakonal care, including works of mercy, spiritual care, and teach-
ing the faith.

Districts and Congregations

¢ Planting Gospel Seeds while Serving Human Needs and Congre-
gation-Based Disaster Response brochures.

¢ Workshops on: Mission Development Through Human Care Min-
istries—Cultivating New Relationships for Gospel Proclamation;
Spiritual and Emotional Care After Disasters—Understanding
and Coping with Post-Traumatic Stress; Congregational Re-
sponses to Community Needs After a Disaster—From Relief to
Recovery, Stabilization and Reconstruction.

Social Ministry Organizations

¢ Find a Social Ministry, Web site link provides organization
names and contact information for LCMS World Relief and
Human Care Recognized Service Organizations across the coun-
try, at world relief.lcms.org.

Health Ministries

°A Letter of Peace and Good Health, by Rev. Dr. James P. Wind,
health-affirming and wellness-enhancing resource for church
leaders and congregations.

¢ Disabilities Ministry: congregational assessment tool evaluates
buildings, worship, and congregational attitudes; brochure and
DVD assist congregations in welcoming people with disabilities.

¢ Congregational Health Ministries/Parish Nursing: manual assists
congregations starting a health ministry; annually updated direc-
tory lists congregational health ministries/parish nurses; Parish
Nurse informational brochure, available in English and Spanish;
LCMS Parish Nurse Newsletter, quarterly electronic newsletter
provides news, networking and resources.

* You Are Not Alone, DVD supports congregations in ministry to
those with chronic mental illness and their families in partnership
with National Alliance on Mental Illness.

¢ Health Fair manual, resource to assist congregations with health
initiatives.

Youth Corps

¢ Teaching Mercy through Service Learning, print monograph for
teachers and youth leaders, with ideas for incorporating service
learning into school or midweek curriculum; workshop also avail-
able.

¢ Theology for Mercy, print Bible study to guide school faculties in
study of theology for mercy in context of Lutheran school setting.

¢ School chapel offering brochure, highlights LCMS World Relief
and Human Care projects that are supported with promotional
materials; published annually in print and online.

* Good News for the World, for children’s ministries, highlights
projects and provides activities; published annually and available
in print.

Matthew Harrison, Executive Director