LOUISVILLE —The
Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Advisory
Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) has extended its
deadline for nominating candidates to serve on the committee’s
proposed task force on “Comprehensive Serious Mental Illness.”
March 1 is the new deadline for submitting nomination forms to
ACSWP, which develops social policies for PC(USA) General Assembly
consideration.
The original Jan. 15 deadline was extended to “ensure that
individuals interested in this social witness issue might have
an opportunity to be considered for this work,” according
to an ACSWP press release.
The extension also will allow more time for Presbyterians to
“bring this project to the attention of others within their
local congregations, presbyteries, synods, theological institutions,
etc., who may be strong candidates for this policy formation group.”
The task force will develop a policy and recommendations for
helping the church minister to those who suffer from serious mental
illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, also known
as manic depression.
“Among the topics this new social witness policy will address
include justice-related issues and full participation (for those
with SMI) in the life of the church and society,” said the
Rev. Peter Sulyok, ACSWP’s coordinator.
The 211th General Assembly (1999) directed ACSWP to develop a
serious-mental-illness policy for presentation to the 217th Assembly
in 2006. In November, an ACSWP-approved prospectus guiding the
work of the soon-to-be formed task force was sent to every PC(USA)
presbytery and synod and to the libraries of all Presbyterian-related
seminaries.
The prospectus and nomination form and information on the nomination
process are available on
ACSWP’s web site.
They also may be obtained from the Rev. Belinda Curry, ACSWP’s
associate for policy development and interpretation, by mail at
100 Witherspoon Street, room 3611, Louisville, KY 40202-1396;
by phone at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5813; by fax at (502) 569-8041;
or by email at bcurry@ctr.pcusa.org. |
