United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries » 2005 » January
Since becoming a part of the UCC Disabilities Ministries in the early 1990′s, as
board member then consultant, I have witnessed a ministry that led the church:
1. To claim the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as
a moral mandate;
2. To add to the UCC vision statement “Accessible to All (A2A);” 3. To widen our impact on persons with brain disorders/mental illnesses and on clergy with disabilities;
4. To grow a ministry where more individuals are involved than at any other point in our history.
As General Synod, July 2005, approaches, our ministry desires to involve you and your local church in building community throughout this land. Please visit our Synod exhibit to learn about a pivotal resource. “Any Body, Everybody, Christ’s Body” is a study guide designed to assist your church generally with hospitality, particularly as it relates to disability. To learn more about us and become involved with this community, visit our interactive web site, www.uccdisabilitiesministries.org.
“How can we grow the church?” Evangelism also takes the forms of sacraments offered in accessible ways, choir anthems sung at floor level, bulletins magnified by a copy machine, prayers encouraged from those with difficulty articulating them, sound systems that amplify our voices, and user friendly entrances and bathrooms.
Evangelism is rooted in our application of the UCC vision statement “Multiracial, Multicultural, Open and Affirming, and Accessible to All (A2A).” On behalf of all involved with the UCCDM, I invite you to explore Evangelism (E) through an A2A lens. This A2A lens will sharpen the “E” vision for multiracial, multicultural, and open and affirming. Come to General Synod. Come to
David Denham
From UCC DM Newsletter Archive
My youngest son, Carl, was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita or contractures of multiple joints. All joints except for his spine are rigid to some degree, and some muscles such as biceps are absent or non-functional.
This is NOT a description of Carl. He is a web designer for an advertising agency and loves his work. His talent for drawing is one of his gifts. Relating to people in an easy and forthright way is another; being self-motivated and determined are others.
To Carl
Were I ever to be an artist
(Like you) I would step across
Landscapes for the far countries
Seen through others’ eyes,
Known in their smile or somber
Gazes or tautness of skin on bone
All of my studies would be portraits,
All of my journeys would be of the spirit,
If I were an artist like you.
– Mary Avidano, aka Mom
By Mary Beth Nicholson
There was a child named “Jon” in a small country church. He spoke little as he was autistic. However, he watched what went on during worship. Jon was not a “regular kid,” but he had regular feelings. He listened and knew how it feels to be in a loving place.
Jon was little trouble although he was restless and needed to wander around the sanctuary sometimes. His church friends understood. They were not bothered. Some people in the church were bothered, though, when Jon whistled. His whistle jumped into their hearing aids.
They came to understand that this was a bit of joy bursting out from a little boy who seldom felt accepted enough to feel comfortable anywhere. His occasional whistle no longer bothered these people as much. In fact, it told them he was in touch with something far deeper than they had noted.
On Communion Sunday, Jon moved to the front pew. Communion was one of those holy, special times. He found God in the spirit and actions of his minister. One Sunday, he quietly stood with her as she offered the bread and juice to the people. Some were bothered, of course, but others discerned that God had come to the small country church in the form of an unexpected, uneasy but unique gift called Jon and found him no trouble.
From UCC DM Newsletter Archive
Ginny Anderson is pastor at Friedens U.C.C., Syracuse, NY
I have Myasthenia Gravis (MG), my roommate has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and Josh, the kid in our household, has Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). Also in our little cape cod house is a collie with anger management problems (MADD), a Bichon Frise (little fuzzy dog) with three legs due to cancer (CA), and a fourteen year old cat with no diagnostic letters except (BOSS). Welcome to the Alphabet Family!
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