ABC Board reviews strategic plan, discusses realities of providing quality ministry.

The organization's strategic plan and realities of providing quality ministry were talking points at the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) Board meetings Mar. 19-21 in Elgin, Ill.

Kathy Reid, ABC's new executive director, led the board through a ministry evaluation process that staff completed during a spring retreat. The process evaluated ABC's programs and provided a forum to suggest future directions for the agency. Following board discussion and response to staff suggestions, Reid said the staff will take the board's feedback and return with three to six imperatives for ABC's programming at the fall board meeting.

Two study papers from the Fellowship of Brethren Homes exploring the issue of uncompensated care were presented by ABC staff member Ralph McFadden. For most Brethren-affiliated retirement centers, the issue affects their ability to provide care to residents who no longer have the financial resources—including private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare—to pay for their own care. A 2003 survey by 18 Brethren homes revealed that the combined financial loss of uncompensated care amounted to $14,393,615. The board suggested that the fellowship work with districts and congregations on the Christian ethics surrounding the ministry provided by the homes, and the need for better financial planning for older adult years.

This was the first board meeting for Reid and new board members John Katonah, of Evanston, Ill.; David Fouts, Mayesville, W.Va.; and Vernne Greiner, Mechanicsburg, Pa. Another first was the attendance of Chris Bowman, Annual Conference moderator. "It is significant that ABC Board members were able to discuss the state of the denomination with the Annual Conference Moderator. The ABC board believes that collaboration within the church and its agencies will benefit us all," Reid said. Collaboration also occurred during a report on the Ecclesiology Consultation by Wendy McFadden, publisher for Brethren Press.

In other business, the board approved individuals and organizations to receive awards at ABC's Annual Recognition Dinner at the 2004 Annual Conference; learned about ABC staff leading workshops on deacon and older adult ministries this spring in Atlantic Northeast, Michigan, Southern Ohio, and Western Plains Districts; heard staff reports on activities for chaplains, disabilities, Brethren-affiliated homes, and the creation of a series of workshops about coping with fear; received a report from the Finance Committee and created a Sustainability Committee to craft and implement a funds development strategy. The committee will be chaired by Wally Landes, board chair elect.

The board also received a report about Health Promotion Sunday materials on "Healthy Faith Communities," available at www.brethren.org/abc. The annual emphasis is May 16. This is the first year that resources were made available solely on ABC's website.

Source: Newsline 4/02/2004 top