Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1990

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 77REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON REFORMEDPRESBYTERIAN MINISTRY TO THE DISABLEDThe Committee held two meetings since the 1989 meeting of Synod.During that period several members of the Committee have beenencumbered with other responsibilities to such an extent that the Committeewas less active than had been intended.Relevant activities of the Committee and its members include thefollowing:1. Betty McBee spoke to students at the RP Theological Seminary onthe topic, "Pastoral Care: Understanding Disability."2. Shirley McMillan spoke on "A Caring Community" to the Ohio-Illinois Presbyterial.3. The Committee communicated with several parents of disabledpersons who expressed their concern about what will happen to suchchildren when the parents can no longer care for them. In that regard, theCommittee is investigating, under Beverly Carson's leadership, whatwould be involved in operating a small group home. We are also checkingwhat Christian facilities are available in the country.4. Vida Brown, for the Committee, continues the process of identifyinghelpful books or pamphlets to recommend.5. Committee members have attended meetings of other groups such asthat of a Task Force on Ministry to the Disabled, which has enlisted thesupport of the R P Committee in the establishment of a regional networkin the Greater Pittsburgh area.6. The Committee has met some individual requests for help.The Committee urges the leaders of the denomination and its variouscongregations and institutions to review the recommendations whichaccompanied last year's report (see the 1989 Minutes of the Synod, pp. 84,85) to the end that further progress might be made in the churches' ministryto the disabled. Many congregational facilities need to be made moreaccessible and sometimes improvements can be made without greatdifficulty or expense which will make participation in the life of thecongregation more pleasant for the disabled.The Committee will make available upon request literature dealingwith making church buildings more accessible. Most important, a "spiritof accessibility" needs to grip the hearts of God's people, moving themlovingly to encourage the disabled, along with all others, in drawing nearto the Lord in worship, nurture and service.We recommend1. That the Committee be continued another year.