wfn.org | PHEWA Sets Date for 1997 Biennial Conference,

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

3-Nov-95

95402     PHEWA Sets Date for 1997 Biennial Conference,  
                      Releases New Resources 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association 
(PHEWA) has announced that its 1997 Biennial National Social Welfare 
Ministries Conference will be in Charlotte, N.C., January 16-20, 1997.  The 
site will be the Marriott Hotel City Center. 
 
     The conference theme is "Holy Humor...Sacred Laughter...Awesome 
Feast."  Conference participants will explore and celebrate the 
Presbyterian Church's social welfare ministries.  Biennial planners say, 
"In doing this we will remember that God's creation is good, that Christ 
came to announce a new reign filled with joy and laughter and that his 
followers are called to an awesome feast of inclusiveness, mercy and 
glory." 
 
     Several of PHEWA's 10 constituent networks have published new 
resources in recent days. Some of them include 
 
        "Dimensions of Faith and Congregational Ministries with Persons 
with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families." Includes resources on 
worship and sacraments, accessibility, outreach ministries, Bible study, 
religious education, and a list of national organizations and magazines 
that address disability issues; produced by the Building Community Supports 
Project in partnership with the Religion Division of the American 
Association on Mental Retardation in cooperation with Presbyterians for 
Disability Concerns. 
 
        "Health Care Sabbath Kit." Includes worship and study materials, 
Sunday school ideas, and advocacy suggestions such as letter-writing 
campaigns, meetings with local officials and public forums; produced by 
Interfaith Impact in cooperation with the Presbyterian Health Network. 
 
       "Our Church Has HIV/AIDS: A Manual to Organize a Presbytery Task 
Force." Includes suggestions on how to recruit members, how to locate 
community HIV/AIDS resources and organizations, how to build and maintain a 
task force's energy and model projects, and a list of Presbyterian HIV/AIDS 
resources plus current PC(USA) policy on HIV/AIDS; created by the 
Presbyterian AIDS Network. 
 
        "Talking With Your Family About HIV\AIDS." A revised resource that 
covers such topics as how HIV is transmitted, why children should be taught 
about AIDS, how to get involved in AIDS ministries, a list of resources, 
information about the Presbyterian AIDS Network and a summary of PC(USA) 
policy on HIV/AIDS. 
 
     More information about these resources and PHEWA is available by 
calling (502) 569-5800. 
 
     PHEWA is a ministry of the National Ministries Division in Louisville. 
It is a voluntary membership organization linking 10 social welfare 
organizations.  They are Community Ministries and Neighborhood 
Organizations (COMANO), Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN), Presbyterian 
Association of Specialized Pastoral Ministries (PASPM), Presbyterian Child 
Advocacy Network (PCAN), Presbyterian Health Network (PHN), Presbyterian 
Network on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (PNAODA), Presbyterian Serious 
Mental Illness Network (PSMIN), Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive 
Options (PARO). Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC) and Urban 
Presbyterian Pastors Association (UPPA). 

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For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, KY 40202
  phone 502-569-5504            fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

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