The U C C D M has designated a fund to honor the life and ministry of Harold H. Wilke, devoted minister, disability advocate and pioneer. His exemplary ministry within the UCC and the world forged a path for leaders with disabilities to emerge. Donations to the U.C.C.DM continue to support his legacy so that leaders with disabilities continue to rise in our midst.
A UCC minister, the first chair of the U C C D M (then the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities), a member of the U.S. Council for the Year of Disabled Persons and a founding board member of both the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) and its international arm, the World Committee on Disability — Dr. Wilke was noted for his unique role delivering the blessing at the White House signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. Following the signing, President George H.W. Bush passed the signing pen to Rev. Wilke, who accepted it with his foot — because he was born without arms.
Rev. Wilke focused on his own abilities, rather than his disability. He had a distinguished career in four areas of service: the Church, rehabilitation medicine, teaching and government. Ordained as a minister of the United Church of Christ, Dr. Wilke served on the faculty at Union Theological Seminary in New York, the UCC national staff, and directed The Healing Community, which promotes awareness about access to a life of faith. He published numerous books and articles, including “Creating the Caring Congregation, Angels on My Shoulders, among others” for congregations moving to integrate persons with disabilities into the life and service of faith communities.
Donations to the Wilke Fund may be sent to:
Rev. Margaret Slater
Local Church Ministries
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland Ohio 44115-1100
Spring, 2003 Update
Formed to honor UCC pastor, the Rev. Dr. Harold H. Wilke, this fund supports the work of the UCCDM. Total to date is $2820. Contributions, payable to Local Church Ministries with memo Harold H. Wilke Fund, may sent to Executive Associate for Finance, LCM, 700 Prospect Ave, Cleveland OH 44115-1100.
One Comment
I knew Dr. Wilke personally. He was the minister of The Chapel in Columbia, MO, while I was a student there in the forties. I served as custodian of the church in exchange for lodging in the back room. He used his feet inplace of hands for everything including driving his 1940 Chrysler I rode with him many times with him driving, even from Columbia to St. Louis and back. The last time I saw him was in the sixties in the Cleveland airport on a chance meeting. I am sorry to hear of his passing, but I guess if he were still living, he would be 100+ years old, because that was 65 years ago. I an 85 now
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