PHEWA expresses dismay about program
rankings
Social-welfare ministry group endorses new
domestic-violence network
[1-31-01]
by Evan Silverstein, PNS
NASHVHILLE, TN -- 30-January-2001 -- Members of the
Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA) have
objected to the General Assembly Council's ranking of denominational
ministries as "high-impact," "medium-impact" or
"low-impact."
They plan to raise their objections in a letter to GAC
members. And during the association's recent biennial conference, they
passed a resolution of support for the programs deemed
"low-impact."
"PHEWA is raising its voice about the process of
ranking ministries of the church," said the Rev. Nancy K. Troy, the
association's executive director.
Association members, meeting here Jan. 25-28, voted to
reaffirm "the work and witness" of programs designated
"low-impact." Their resolution will be sent to all GAC members
and to GAC Executive Director John Detterick, accompanying the letter
expressing the organization's disapproval of the ranking process.
Programs ranked "low-impact" included the
Presbyterian Washington Office, Self-Development of People, and Church
and Society Magazine. Programs were assigned to the three categories
during GAC's meeting last September in Montreat, NC, after they were
evaluated in relation to the council's two established priorities -
evangelism and discipleship. GAC leaders and committees expect to use
the rankings in making decisions for the 2002 General Assembly mission
budget. However, a GAC official said that nothing about the process is
certain, because the GAC intends to debate the issue further and must
win the approval of the GA.
"I certainly can't comment on what I haven't
seen," GAC Chair Peter Pizor said on Jan. 29 when asked about
PHEWA's forthcoming letter and resolution. "I can say that we're
going to be looking very carefully at the issue. As we (GAC) said in
September, it was a first, tentative, and small step. I think we'll look
at this with a concerted effort across the whole of the General Assembly
Council. We'll do it with full discussion, and faithfully."
PHEWA is a coalition of 10 social-welfare ministry
networks of Presbyterians that works to implement the policies of the
Presbyterian Church (USA) in such areas as treatment of the mentally
ill, AIDS ministries, child welfare and health ministries. It is part of
the denomination's National Ministries Division.
New Anti-Violence Network formed
During the PHEWA meeting at the Lowes Vanderbilt Plaza
Hotel here, members were told that a new, 11th network had been
officially approved to join PHEWA. The new entity, the Presbyterian
Anti-Violence Network, will focus on advocacy and resources for the
prevention of domestic violence and healing for its victims.
"Our focus is on domestic violence, which is
abuse between partners of marriage or dating, or gay and lesbian
relationships," said Sandi Thompson-Royer of Spokane, Washington, a
PC(USA) staff member in the Women's Ministries program area, who has
been working to develop the new network for the past two years.
"We're continuing the General Assembly's initiative, which was
started through the societal-violence initiative team, where they
trained people around the country to go out into churches and
presbyteries to train people around the issues of domestic violence.
We're going beyond that in trying to find other ways to keep the issue a
priority."
Thompson-Royer said the group hopes to have pamphlets
and other resources available by this summer's GA in Louisville. PHEWA
board members unanimously approved the new network during a meeting just
prior to the conference.
Officials hope liaisons from the Women's Ministries
program area will join the network, including representatives of
Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian College Women, and the Presbyterian
Peacemaking program.
Awards presented
The association presented its two major awards during
the conference. The John Park Lee Award for 2001 went to Nancy Lee Head
of Alexandria, VA, who has served on the PHEWA board and on the
serious-mental-illness leadership team.
The John Park Lee Award, named after a former director
of social-welfare ministries, is presented during each biennial meeting
"to recognize and perpetuate the qualities of concern, sensitivity
and involvement singularly exemplified in John Park Lee."
PHEWA's Rodney T. Martin Award, named after the man
who directed PHEWA from 1972 to 1990, was presented to the Rev. John R.
Scotland of Brigantine, NJ, who served as interim executive director in
1990 and 1991.
Officers elected
PHEWA members elected John Sharick of Youngstown, OH,
as its new president. Sharick, who just completed a term as vice
president, succeeds Lois Rifner. Others elected include Robert Brashear,
vice president; Ginny Copenhefer, secretary; and Alice Moore, treasurer.
