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Buy cialis no prescription, For more information or to make a gift to the Reverend Harold H. Wilke Fund for the ongoing program work of the UCC DM, köpa rabatterade cialis, Cialis without prescription, please go to http://www.ucc.org/make-a-gift/. Thank you for your contribution, cheapest cialis prices. Acheter cialis discount. Maryland MD Md. . Cialis generic. Cialis pedido en línea. Pharmacie cialis bon marché. Jotta cialis verkossa. Acheter cialis. West Virginia WV W.Va. . Billiga cialis apotek. αγοράσετε cialis έκπτωση. Kjøpe cialis. Oregon OR Ore. . Order cialis without prescription. Order cialis no prescription. Maine ME Me. . Cialis without a prescription. Order cialis online cheap. Købe cialis online. Acheter cialis bon marché. Order cialis online. Kansas KS Kans. . Alabama AL Ala. .
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Buy Cialis - (06/26/2010)
A Selection of Suggested Resources from United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries for Worship in Celebration of ADA
Buy cialis, Tribute to Harold H. Wilke
Includes poem by Jeanne Tyler
http://www.uccdm.org/2006/11/11/remembering-the-rev-dr-harold-h-wilke/
Litany and Prayer Resources:
• Invocation by Normal Mengel
Creating, saving, and sustaining God, buy cialis cheap, we thank you for creating us in your image, each having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, Order cialis online, so that together we make up the whole body of Christ. Help us to learn new ways to encourage each other to develop our gifts to the fullest, to love one another with mutual affection, and to extend hospitality, παραγγείλετε online cialis. May we be sensitive and helpful to one another in our areas of need. In Christ’s name, Cheap generic cialis, we pray. Amen, buy cialis.
More. Go to http://www.uccdm.org/2007/05/23/mosaic-series-created-to-be-interdependent-within-the-body-of-christ/#more-399
• Litany by Dee Brauninger
Leader: Mindful that from the genesis throughout the revelation of our lives, God creates, cialis ordine on-line, reveals, and renews God’s promise of hope for us, Cialis discount, All: Let us be faithful to our commitment to you, O God, and to one another. Amen, cheapest cialis in the world.
Leader: As birth, disease, Acquistare online cialis, accident, or maturity brings special needs to those within this church,
All: Guide us, O God, price of cialis, as bringers of your hope. Buy cialis, Amen.
Leader: As we increase our skill in reading the signs of change among church members and anticipate their needs, Tennessee TN Tenn. , All: Guide us, O God, as your welcoming people. Amen, Oklahoma OK Okla. .
More. Go to http://www.uccdm.org/2007/05/23/mosaic-series-tools-of-the-trade/#more-396
• Prayer by Jeanne Tyler
Persistent God, Billig kaufen cialis, who never lets us go, come to us in this gathering. Open our minds and our hearts to wrestle with your words, buy cialis. Teach us not to sit politely by when we are not welcomed as the unique people we are. Help us to love ourselves as much as we love you, cheapest cialis, so that your gift of creating us in your image is not wasted on others or us. Help us be teachers and learners. Comprare cialis, Help us to follow your ways made straight in the wilderness. Buy cialis, We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Christ. Amen.
More. Go to http://www.uccdm.org/2007/05/24/mosaic-series-i-could-come-home/#more-401
• Invocation by Diana Coberly
We approach you, Acheter en ligne cialis, O faithful God, assured of your welcoming attitude to all. Billige cialis Apotheke, You fearfully and wonderfully made each of us. We thank you that your love is with us, that nothing can separate us from your love no matter the way we see or hear, no matter the way we talk or walk, no matter the way we think or feel, buy cialis. Help each of us to be aware of how we exclude persons different from ourselves from knowing Jesus. As we gather in this place, awaken us to your goodness and mercy, Wisconsin WI Wis. , that we may through the liberating grace you offer us, help create an attitude of inclusiveness for all. Order cialis cod, Amen.
More. Buy cialis, Go to http://www.uccdm.org/2007/05/23/mosaic-series-spiritual-accessibility-for-all/
• Litany: Blessing of the Options by Dee Brauninger
From Genesis 1, 12 and 21; Psalms 8 and 139
Suggested Use:
1. Multiple readings throughout the service.
2, Colorado CO Colo. . Select several Leader/People/ALL segments to use once in the service.
3. Read the entire litany as a prayer with a pause between segments for silent reflection followed by an Amen before reading the next segment, buy cialis. Generic cialis, Go to http://www.uccdm.org/2009/10/06/blessed-be-god-who-delights-in-everyone-a-litany/
• Benediction by Dee Brauninger
May God guide this living church as we aim to do whatever it takes from the quiet, welcoming act to the visible or costly physical change that reflects God’s life-giving plan for a future with hope. Amen.
More, cialis no prescription. Go to http://www.uccdm.org/2007/05/23/mosaic-series-tools-of-the-trade/#more-396
Scripture:
1 Peter 4:8-11a (RSV)
Suggested Hymns (From “Hymns for A2A Congregations†in A2A Study Guide)
http://www.uccdm.org/2010/06/25/hymns-for-a2a-congregations/
“Blessed be the Tie that Binds†393 TNCH “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service†495 TNCH “Glory, Glory, Ostaa halvalla cialis, Hallelujah†2 TNCH “Help Us Accept Each Other†388 TNCH “My Heart is Overflowing†15 TNCH “O God in Whom All Life Begins 401 TNCH “O God, My God†515 TNCH “Spirit of Love†58 TNCH
“We Yearn, O Christ, for Wholeness†179 TNCH “We are Your People†309 TNCH “When Peace Like a River†438 TNCH “Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant?†539 TNCH
Meditations:
• "Empowering Children with Disabilities" by David Denham
http://www.uccdm.org/2009/03/04/empowering-chi…h-disabilities/
• "The Church of the Left Out" by Marja Coons-Torn
http://www.uccdm.org/2007/05/24/the-church-of-the-left-out/
• "A Patchwork Quilt" by Virginia Kreyer Mosaic Series – In God’s Image – “A Patchwork Quilt†- http://www.uccdm.org/2007/05/24/mosaic-series-a-patchwork-quilt/
• "Spiritual Accessibility for All" by Diana Coberly Mosaic Series – In God’s Image – “Spiritual Accessibility for Allâ€
http://www.uccdm.org/2007/05/23/mosaic-series-spiritual-accessibility-for-all/
• Sermon Text: Job 1:1, cialis online, 2:1-10, Psalm 26, Idaho ID , Mark 10:2-16 – Jeanne Tyler
Go to http://www.uccdm.org/1999/06/21/jeanne-tyler-ucc-dm-co-chair-preaches-at-amistad-chapel/#more-85
Articles:
• “Architectural, Attitudinal, and Spiritual Inclusion of People with Disabilities and their Families†– by Rita Fiero
http://www.uccdm.org/1999/07/30/architectural-attitudinal-and-spiritual-inclusion-of-people-with-disabilities-and-their-families-fiero/
• “Mainstreaming the Alienated: The Church Responds to the ‘new’ Minority†– by Harold Wilke
http://www.uccdm.org/2006/11/30/mainstreaming-the-alienated-the-church-responds-to-the-new-minority/
• “Multisensory Worship Ideas†by Marjot Hausmann
http://www.uccdm.org/2010/06/25/multisensory-worship-ideas/
Jo Clare Hartsig. Buy cialis, Ed., A2A Study Guide. http://www.uccdm.org p, buy cialis without prescription. 142
• “No Steps to Heaven†by Harold Wilke
http://www.uccdm.org/2006/11/30/no-steps-to-heaven-harold-h-wilke/
• “Reading the Signs†is a series of columns about inclusion and accessibility that can be excerpted for conference or church newsletters.Visit the Reading the Signs Category at http://www.uccdm.org.
Poems:
• “Signs of Liberation and Access†by Harold Wilke
http://www.uccdm.org/2010/06/25/signs-of-liberation-and-access-wilke
• “Them vs. Us : A Litanyâ€
Jo Clare Hartsig. Ed., A2A Study Guide, buy cialis. http://www.uccdm.org p. 142
Discussion:
• “In the Image of God†Jo Clare Hartsig. Ed., A2A Study Guide. http://www.uccdm.org p. 6
Other Resources Buy cialis, :
AAPD.com American Association on People with Disabilities
Disability.gov Go to the 100 Days Countdown on Disability Blog
N.O.D.org The National Organization on Disabilities
Http://www.uccdm.org contains a valuable resource written and edited by Jo Clare Hartsig. The A2A Study Guide can be downloaded for electronic reading or printed. It is also available on disc from UCC DM. Contact Michelle Hintz. hintzm@ucc.org.
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Buy Levitra C.o.d. - (10/29/2009)
Buy levitra c.o.d., Margaret (Peg) Vigars Wilke died peacefully at her home in Claremont, California on Saturday, October 17. A resident of Pilgrim Place community in Claremont since 1989, she enjoyed a music concert on campus the day before her passing. Order levitra no prescription, Matriarch of a large family, artist, therapist and early fighter for civil rights, economic justice and women’s rights, cheap levitra tablets, she was wife and helpmate of the late Reverend Harold Wilke, himself a disability rights pioneer and activist involved in the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Generic levitra, Peg was 93.
Born in Algona, Iowa, on July 12, levitra en ligne afin, 1916, Margaret Vigars was the only child of Selma Lind and William Vigars. She was a precocious child who started first grade a year before her classmates, buy levitra c.o.d.. Købe levitra online, Among the joys of her childhood were summers spent with her parents at Wheelers Grove, on Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa. There she gained a love of lakes and swimming, buy levitra online legally, affinities that stayed with her throughout life. Also at Lake Okoboji, Where to buy cheap levitra, she and her teenage friends listened on warm summer nights to big bands playing across the water.
She loved to tell about adventures with her father, Bill, including stories about their early-morning trips to watch the annual arrival by train of the circus elephants and roustabouts, levitra farmacia a buon mercato. Buy levitra c.o.d., Margaret Vigars attended Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa). There, she excelled academically and developed her interests and skills in drama and art. Georgia GA Ga. , During one vacation visit back home, she dropped in on her high school math teacher, who at that moment was pointing out a difficult problem Margaret had solved the previous year. He had saved her solution on the blackboard, ordering levitra no rx.
After graduating from College, Peg attended Chicago Theological Seminary where she earned a masters degree in social work. While there she met her future husband Harold Wilke, and after a cross country courtship while she directed settlement houses serving immigrants and economic refugees in Chicago and Erie, Pa, they were married August 24, 1941 at the Seminary Chapel, buy levitra c.o.d.. Wyoming WY Wyo. , They then moved to Columbia, Mo. where Peg worked with Red Cross and Harold was a chaplain at the University of Missouri.
When the U.S.entered World War II, billige levitra apotek, Peg & Harold moved east. Peg staffed the Red Cross office in Boston, Cheap levitra overnight delivery, working with families of soldiers shipping overseas as well as victims tragic Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire. Buy levitra c.o.d., In the years that followed, Peg and Harold moved to Philadelphia, Topeka, KS, Chicago, Cleveland, and White Plains, NY before retiring to Pilgrim Place in Claremont, CA.
While Harold pursued his career as a minister and national leader in the United Church of Christ and as an international advocate for people with disabilities, she worked as a social worker and therapist along with raising their five sons.
Her work took her from settlement houses and a children’s home in Cleveland, cheap levitra without prescription, to a psychotherapy practice in New York City and White Plains. For a time in the late 1960's she and her family lived in Europe, Where to buy levitra, where she and Harold, who had been born without arms, worked with families of the disabled children who were Thalidomide victims.
Throughout her life, köpa levitra online, Peg Wilke was surrounded by works of art, her own and others that she collected. She was a good painter and gifted sculptor, whose award-winning works have been displayed from Illinois and Iowa to New York and California, buy levitra c.o.d.. Osta levitra, Her home and heart gave refuge and welcome to people from all walks of life, all ages and from all over the world, for short, long and sometimes crowded stays, cheap levitra online cheap. A favorite place for gathering family for more than 30 years was the family’s “camp†in Bryant Pond, Maine. För levitra online, Margaret (Peg) Wilke is survived by her sons William Wilke of Watertown, MA, Christopher (Kit) Wilke and his wife Bonnie Butler Wilke of Long Beach, CA, Colorado CO Colo. , Mark Wilke and his wife Sharon Robertson Wilke of Arlington, MA, Order levitra overnight delivery, Nancy Nadler Wilke (wife of the late John Wilke) of Bethesda,MD, and David Wilke and his wife Bailey Beeken of Brooklyn, NY, Alabama AL Ala. . She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Devon, Michaela, Levitra for sale, Robin, Jackson, Erik, Ryan, levitra over the counter, Bo, and Quinn and two great-grandchildren. Florida FL Fla. , She was predeceased by her husband Harold Wilke, who died in 2003, and their son, John Wilke, who died in May 2009.
A memorial service for Margaret (Peg) Wilke will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 in Decker Hall at 665 Avery Road, Pilgrim Place, Claremont, CA. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pilgrim Place
( http://www.pilgrimplace.org/online_donations.php )
CONTACT: Reverend Kit Wilke 562-619-0301
.
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Pain and Its Uses – Harold H. Wilke - (08/01/2009)
Empowering Children with Disabilities - (03/04/2009)
-
New Conversations
No Steps to Heaven – Harold H. Wilke - (11/30/2006)
The scene is upper Manhattan, Broadway at Reinhold Niebuhr Place, Union Theological Seminary. Union’s president, Donald Shriver, walks jauntily down the steps to the bustling street and sits down in a wheelchair brought for the experiment, thus putting himself in the place of a student with a handicap. Gazing up from his wheelchair at that imposing entrance and those five insurmountable steps, he says, “OK, carry me in,†and two waiting students -- both of them at least a bit nervous -- carry him into the foyer. Inside, he wheels past a heavy elevator door and then, with the aid of the students, attempts to negotiate the maze that is a magnificent building constructed on the assumption that everyone using it would be not only a spiritual and intellectual giant but an able-bodied athlete as well!Read the entire article, No Steps to Heaven.
Mainstreaming the Alienated: The Church Responds to the “New” Minority – Harold H. Wilke - (11/30/2006)
In Memoriam: Harold’s Friends Remember - (11/11/2006)
Harold Wilke
Strong Man
agile
limber
intellectual
caring
insightful
Born
2 legged
no arms
man
drank coffee, sipped tea
with his toes
took notes
walked into meetings
gave hope
focus
called by God to ministry
claimed by the church
affirmed by people president and pope
spoke words of blessing for accessibility
integrity
whose wholeness
offers others
hope
hospitality
--Jeanne Tyler
Harold Wilke, leader, mentor, and friend, will be remembered a giant and pioneer in building bridges between religious communities and systems of services and advocacy for people with disabilities and their families. Bill Gaventa
In the days when it was "polite" to open the door for a woman, Harold Wilke was visiting the campus of Chicago Theological Seminary. Nearing a door as we chatted, he slipped out of his right shoe, grabbed the door handle with his foot then proceeded to hold the door. We were amazed to see his flexibility and panache. His ability to overcome his disability spoke volumes to those who saw him at work. - Bob and Ruth Beck
Harold Wilke, dean of all differently able not only in our church but in our country and internationally. - David and Betty Jamieson
He made the difference between Miss Kreyer and the Rev. Miss Kreyer. When I applied to Union Seminary, one reason they accepted a person with severe cerebral palsy was that Harold Wilke had been accepted there and made it (as one of the first Americans with a serious disability to serve as a parish minister). - Virginia Kreyer
Having known Harold since grade school, I treasure most his passion for justice for all. He was an advocate for God's inclusive vision for the lgbt community, for the poor, for women, and for the disabled. - Lois M. Powell
I learned from Dr. Wilke that wholeness has little to do with the body. - Dallas Dee Brauninger
I give thanks for Harold's life and for the ways in which he shaped and supported my ministry. - Mary Susan Gast
Many years ago, Harold Wilke came to Fargo. A UCC pastor, I was asked to meet Dr. Wilke and take him home so he could change clothes before his speaking engagement. Not wanting to have our young daughters embarrass him by staring or making inappropriate comments, we warned that a gentleman would be coming to see us who had been born with no arms. As we chatted at the kitchen table, the girls and a couple friends came into the room to meet our guest and eat a cookie then ran out to play some more. Harold was so natural and gracious as he sat there drinking coffee with his toes that our girls simply did not notice. Later that evening, as we were getting ready for bed, one daughter looked at us with a puzzled expression. "When is the man without arms coming?" - W. Douglas Allen
"How do I act disabled? I've never been disabled before," the Father of Disability Ministry said as he sat with pride and humility in the wheelchair before entering a General Synod XX gathering. After my spinal cord injury, he gave me hope for a future despite losses, guiding my path to seminary, UCC, and U C C DM. His life taught us all how to do it. - Rita Fiero
"Harold was the inspiration for our Religion and Disability Program [of the National Organization on Disability. Harold was a founding Board Member]. His enthusiasm, self-acceptance, grit and twinkle allowed him to be a role model and a superb leader. He challenged all, with and without disabilities, to heal the divisions among God's children. Religious communities responded to his proclamation that people with disabilities are welcome and needed in the House of God." - Ginny Thornburgh, Director of N.O.D.
"With the death of the Rev. Harold H. Wilke, founder of the Healing Community, the disability rights movement has lost one of its giants...Harold was an early pioneer on witness by example of the effectiveness in life and in ministry, while living with a significant disability...Where will we find those who will enter into the challenges of disability rights work still needed in many faith communities including the United Methodist Church? Look around and see if you could encourage someone else to pick up on the challenges. We need to confront the architectural, attitudinal, and program barriers preventing persons with disabilities from full involvement. -- John A. Carr, United Methodist Church, General Board of Global Ministries
"The word 'sacrament' means an outward sign of an invisible reality. For the disability movement, Harold is our sacrament. Harold makes visible that to be an effective pastor or church executive or world leader or visionary, you do not have to shake hands; that you can claim 'Leaning on the Everlasting Arms' as a favorite hymn when you do not have arms. This sacrament -- this outward sign of a too often invisible reality was his life and ministry among us." -- words offered at Harold Wilke's Memorial Service by David Denham
"Move [us] to discard those old beliefs and attitudes that limit and diminish those among us with disabilities." - From Dr. Wilke's blessing at the signing into law of the American Disabilities Act, 1990.
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 John Wilke Disablities Ministries Fund may be sent to:
Ms Michelle Hintz
Local Church Ministries
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland Ohio 44115-1100
1995
1999
The UCC DM Journey - (11/02/2006)
Stage 1: Pioneering (1977-1989)
Stage 2: Coming of Age (1990-2005)
Stage 3: A Movement within the United Church of Christ (2006-)
Attitudinal Accessibility – Accidental Mentors? - (07/07/2003)
The following three awards were presented at the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries Banquet Program on July 4, 1999 at General Synod 22:
1. To a Person With a Disability Who Has Made An Outstanding Contribution to Church and Society: The Rev. Russell C. Schmidt, Grand Rapids, Michigan The Reverend Russell C. Schmidt has been a true pioneer in the church and in society on behalf of persons with disabilities. While serving as Minister of Education at First Congregational Church, Benton Harbor, Michigan, he helped the church and the community become more accessible by lovingly pointing out the obstacles he and others faced. Schmidt returned to Benton Harbor in 1993 to participate in First Congregational's celebration of full accessibility, preaching a sermon entitled, "The Time of Celebration is at Hand." In 1964, Schmidt wrote an article for The United Church Herald using the imagery for people of limited mobility of being stranded on a small island with no access to the mainland. Following his pastoral work, Schmidt served the Michigan Department of Rehabilitation. 2. To A Person Without a Disability Who Has Made An Outstanding Contribution To Church And Society: Mr. John Selmar, Seattle, Washington With warmth and genuine caring, John Selmar, a master clinician, has served as a speech pathologist and writer who gently has touched the lives of many people with disabilities and their families. His professional life is not so much a career as it is a montage of healing stories -- a young child with a speech deficit who leads a school production; former patients who become speech pathologists; a basketball player who moves beyond cultural speech barriers to become a bank vice-president; a doctor who stutters becomes a university lecturer. But, John has not only been a healer. He tirelessly extended himself in the public arena -serving on university training boards, supervising interns, and serving on and consulting with a multitude of committees. John Selmar has been and is an agent of healing and change, freeing others to speak and lead whatever their abilities. 3. A Special Award of Service to God: Rev. Dr. Harold H. Wilke, Claremont, California The National Committee on Persons with Disabilities bestows upon Harold Wilke a Special Award of Lifetime Service to God. Not only within the United Church of Christ, but, people within the whole United States remember Wilke looking over the shoulder of President Bush and then handing him a pen with his foot as Bush signed the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. Wilke was present on stage in 1995 when General Synod XX passed the resolution calling upon the whole church to be morally bound by the ADA. Harold has touched the lives of so many people --- writing extensively, speaking tirelessly, pastoring always --- awakening many to the gifts and talents of people with disabilities. At the age of 14, as he knelt during his confirmation, his pastor spoke these prophetic words, "Let this child go to theological seminary and become a minister of the church." This minister with no arms is revered throughout the UCC and has taught us all the true meaning of trusting the embracing arms of God. Looking ahead to General Synod 23, 2001, the UCC Disabilities Ministries will establish the Virginia Kreyer Award. The Rev. Virginia Kreyer, Garden City, NY, established the UCC Disabilities Ministries, beginning in the 1970's, and served as its first consultant until 1995. Her pioneering efforts will be recognized at the next General Synod. UCCDM will establish an award in her name to be offered to persons who have been true pioneers in the disability ministries. Kreyer will be its first recipient.
From UCC DM Newsletter Archive1999 Annual Meeting and General Synod 22 - (07/30/1999)
NCPWD, ALIVE AND WELL AT GENERAL SYNOD (GS) 22
The opening session of GS22 began, notably, with a speak-out by the Rev. Dr. Harold Wilke calling the church to task for omitting "ACCESSIBLE TO ALL" from references to our stated intent to be a "multiracial, multicultural church, accessible to all." Jewel Shuey and assistants kept this message before GS attendees in a fresh way each day with numerous changing posters which began with simply a big black "A", evolved to "MMA," and eventually to "Multiracial, Multicultural, and Accessible to All." All statements in the new UCC Bylaws, which had omitted the term "accessible to all," were changed in actions of the delegates by friendly amendments, as was wording in one of the other resolutions before GS. The combined NCPWD/Mental Illness Network (MIN) booths were again centers of hospitality and sharing for Synod goers. Our new NCPWD commercial display background was a good addition and made it easy to change the display to reflect important activities of each day. Harold Wilke was often present in the booth, with his wife, Peg. He autographed many copies of his autobiography, "Angels on My Shoulders, Muses at My Side," just released by Cokesbury Books. Two resolutions came before the delegates of particular concern to NCPWD/MIN. The first requested the church take a pro-active stance toward the calling of clergy with disabilities. The second called on the people of God to open wide their hearts to persons with serious mental illnesses (brain disorders). Both passed by an overwhelming majority following some editorial changes made during the committee process. Our workshop, "Your Faith has Made You What? The Meaning of Wholeness for Persons with Disabilities," and our meal which emphasized conference task forces on disability issues were very successful in bringing new people into our circle and in meeting real needs. The accommodations for persons with disabilities at GS plenary sessions, worship services, and in the Convention Center and hotels continue to be a source of concern. NCPWD committee members were enthusiastically welcomed and used as resources by the local arrangements committee once we arrived at GS, but, we were not given the opportunity to work with the local arrangements committee prior to GS. Consequently, despite the excellent work of the local committee, there were avoidable slip-ups. Some of these were attributable to denominational office planning rather than to the local committee. Of particular concern to the NCPWD is the difficulty persons needing special hotel accommodations have in making reservations and in making sure that their individual needs can be met. In addition, the serving of communion continues to be an issue. Persons with visible disabilities were singled out for individual service at this GS, and given no option to pass the communion vessels along with other worshipers. Because this was not announced beforehand (which would have resulted in the same objections it did with consequent changing of the arrangements, as happened at GS 21), there was confusion. Persons with disabilities began to pass the vessels and then had them pulled away by servers. ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation for plenary sessions initially was provided only during the scheduled times. When delegates voted to extend a session, persons who required interpreter services, became disenfranchised because the interpreters left the podium at their scheduled times. This was brought to the attention of delegates, and the problem seemed to have been resolved by the conclusion of GS. Our committee will again make diligent efforts to be resource persons to UCC staff and to the local arrangements committee for GS 23. Such coordination is strongly recommended by the local arrangements committee of the Rhode Island Conference. One anonymous GS delegate said to one of our members, after the week was well underway, "This is YOUR Synod, isn't it!" We were well-pleased with our increasing visibility and acceptance. (Report by Billie Louise (Beezy) Bentzen, Past Chair-person, NCPWD)
REV. DR. HAROLD WILKE CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF MINISTRY!
On July 4, 1999, at General Synod in Providence, the Rev. Dr. Harold Wilke was honored at the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries' Banquet. Harold was ordained in 1939. During his sixty year career he accomplished many things on behalf of the UCC. As an advocate for persons with disabilities he touched the lives of many clergy and laity with disabilities. Harold received a lifetime achievement award at the Banquet which consisted in part of a special medallion that Paul Sherry presented to him. The presentation was followed by a standing ovation which lasted several minutes. Everyone present at the banquet shared in a very special spiritual moment. Harold served in many capacities over his 60 year career as a pastor, chaplain, author, speaker, and workshop leader. He served 10 years as director of Lay Life and Leadership, the predecessor of the Office for Church Life and Leadership. Harold is the founder and director of the 'Healing Community'. He has addressed the United Nations, and delivered a speech to the Pope who warmly embraced him after the message. He, along with the Reverend Virginia Kreyer was the catalyst that started the UCC National Committee On Persons With Disabilities (UCPWD), now known as the UCC Disabilities Ministries (UCCDM). A strong advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), President George Bush invited him to offer a blessing when the President signed the bill. It is believed that this was the first time a bill signing ceremony included a prayer. Harold has been called by some disability experts the grandfather of the ADA. In grateful recognition of his gifts and service the UCCDM announced the formation of the "Wilke Fund," a fund that will be used to support the goals of the UCCDM.
"Planning to Grow" 1999 NCPWD Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the NCPWD was held in Providence, Rhode Island on July 7, 1999, with seven members, two staff persons, and 13 associate members and friends, including representatives from the Mental Illness Network, attending. Minutes will be distributed to members, associate members, and friends who attended the meeting. (Should anyone else wish to receive minutes, please contact one of the persons listed at the end of the issue.) We reflected upon what the UCC restructuring implies for the UCCDM in the future and what we need to do to grow into the future. We will have a much stronger presence in the new structure with voting members having six-year terms on the Executive Council and the boards of Local Church Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, and Justice and Witness Ministries, and a voting member on the GS Nominating Committee. The level of representation in the new national structure does not mesh with our current committee structure and bylaws. Keeping up with these activities will consume most of our budget and leave few financial resources for pursuing the DM mission. The following people will represent the committee as voting members in the UCC national structure: Executive Council: Christina Thomas; Local Church Ministries: Jeanne Tyler; Wider Church Ministries: Charles Bamforth; Justice and Witness Ministries: Beezy Bentzen; GS Nominating Committee: Doris Dunn. Members reported to the NCPWD on the structures and budgets of other historically under-represented groups within the UCC that might serve as models for the further development of the UCCDM. A committee was appointed to draft revised bylaws. We considered a membership fee and fund raising. We also considered having a national gathering. Committee Members elected for 1999-2001 and their terms are as follows: Doris Dunn (2001), Charlie Bamforth (2001), Christina Thomas (2001), Rita Fiero (2003), Jeanne Tyler (2003), Jewel Shuey (2005), and Donald Lawrence (2005). New officers: Co-chairpersons: Rita Fiero, Jeanne Tyler; Vice-chairperson: Charles Bamforth; Secretary: Doris Dunn; Executive Council Representative: Christina Thomas. Report by Beezy Bentzen, Past-Chairperson, NCPWD Thank you Beezy and Peggy for your service to NCPWD.
From UCC DM Newsletter Archive