wfn.org | Health and Social Issues Committee readies recommendations

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Note #6594 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

11-June-2001
GA01035

Health and Social Issues Committee readies recommendations

by Nancy Rodman

LOUISVILLE, June 11 - A resolution on the Ministry of Caregiving in Relation
to Older Adults, study of a paper on suicide prevention, and a proposal for
a national dialogue on theological issues related to end-of-life care are
among the recommendations going to the 213th General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) from the Assembly Committee on Health and
Social Issues.

	The Resolution on the Ministry of Caregiving in Relation to Older Adults,
if approved by the Assembly, would put in place a number of measures to
strengthen the church's care of its older members.  The parish nursing
program would be affirmed as a model for caregiving ministry and established
or strengthened in partnership with community agencies.  Middle governing
bodies would offer ministries to retired pastors and education and training
to meet needs at the local level.  Congregations would observe Older Adult
Week, develop support and other programs, and expand their awareness of new
ways of caregiving.

	In response to Commissioners' Resolution 01-20, the committee will
recommend that the General Assembly Council study the publication "A Message
on Suicide Prevention" of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and
make recommendations to the 214th General Assembly in 2002 for its potential
use in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

	The Committee wrestled with end-of-life issues before voting 37-8 to
recommend that the General Assembly organize and host a national dialogue in
2002-2003 on the theological issues related to end-of-life care.  If
approved, similar presbytery-wide, or regional, dialogues would follow the
national dialogue over a two-year period.  Resources would be made available
and any end-of-life policy development would be deferred until 2006.

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