Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 211
were thrilled with the thoughtfulness and concern displayed by young a
make this a happy occasion for them. This summer we are making the same offer
of half tuition to those who are disabled and their care givers who wish to attend
the Presbytery camps or another Christian camp that may meet their needs more
suitably and at a similar cost.
Recognizing that pastors and sessions have many urgent calls upon their time, we
still findthat there is a need to remind them to be sensitive to the stress and
heartache of those who are for or suffer from debilitating handicaps. Of course,
many deserve special commendation for their devoted attention. For young
pastors in particular, learning how to relate to those folkis especially necessary.
A very important part of the ministry of this Board is done through
Presbytery Advocates. The Board has developed guidelines and a job description
for this work. Advocates are asked to develop alist of handicapped and disabled
persons who reside within the bounds of the presbytery, to visit with these persons
and their families where possible, and to advise them of possible resources,
facilities, and other helps. Advocates are also asked to make regular contacts with
congregations and to keep presbyteries alert to the needs in this area of ministry.
Still another aspea of the ministry of the Advocatesis to work with those who are
planning presbytery summer conferences with regard to the accessibility of the
camp or conference facilities and to consider what assistance handicapped persons
may need. It may be noted in this conneaion that even though facilities are
handicapped accessible they maystill not meet the needs of particular persons.
Those who have graciously volunteered their services as Presbytery Advocates
are as follows: Presbytery of the Alleghenies, John Russell; Atlantic Presbytery,
Shirley Smith; Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery, Joanne Webb; Midwest Presbytery, Dr.
William Martin; Pacific Coast Presbytery, Danny Gathright; and St. Lawrence
Presbytery, Grant and Valorie Pattingale. It is requested that presbyteries include
on their agenda a report from the Presbytery Advocate.
The Board maintains an extensive library of tapes, videos, pamphlets and
booklets on various kinds of disabilities. Thisis housed in the North Hills Church
building and may be accessed by writing to either Betty McBee or Vida Grace
Brown at that address.
One of the most pressing concerns we have, but do not have the resources to
meet,is the need to provide resident care for those members of our denomination
who are developmentally challenged. What is a parent to do when he or she can
no longer provide for a child who has the body of an adult, but whose mind will
always be that of a child At present we are recommending other Christian
facilities, butit would be much more preferable and comforting to have our own
home, a refuge that was secure where special ones could enjoy the type of loving
care given to our elderly at the Reformed Presbyterian Home. While we do not
have the resources to begin a ministry of this magnitude at present, we would like
to build our resources to makeit a reality.