Care practice project responds to Synod call

In response to a call from its General Synod, the LCA is revising and expanding resources for those in the church who deliver care through aged and community services.

The 2015 resolution called on the church through Lutheran Community Care SA/NT (LCC) to revisit the study document One Loving God – two hands saving and caring and prepare, distribute and utilise ‘further studies and action plans’ regarding Lutheran theology and practice of care. In addition, a governance review of Lutheran aged and community services has recommended that documents and resources be produced which set out the Lutheran ethos for these services.

Former LCC Director Colleen Fitzpatrick (pictured), a current member of the LCA Committee for Ministry with the Ageing and the LCA Domestic and Family Violence Task Force, has begun work on updating and developing resources for the church’s aged and community services.

Mrs Fitzpatrick said it was important for the church to effectively communicate its motivation for care with people providing aged, community and disability services and those receiving care. ‘I feel very privileged to be able to do this, as for many years I have reflected on our theology of care’, she said. ‘I have – with many others – longed for the day that we would be able to articulate it in ways that inspire and affirm those who are providing our services and offer comfort to those who use them.’

As part of her task as project officer, Mrs Fitzpatrick has been researching the Lutheran origins and Christian teachings undergirding the delivery of care, as well as the spiritual concerns and needs of those in caring roles.

The One Loving God project also has a reference group, which will collaborate with other church sectors where care resources are required, including Lutheran schools.

Mrs Fitzpatrick will provide an update on the project at the LCA Governance Dialogue with Aged and Community Services meeting on 17 March. She can be contacted at colleen.fitzpatrick@lca.org.au