Order soma, From the notebook of the Rev. Linda Bigler, soma pharmacy, North Dakota ND , pastor of Humboldt Congregational UCC in Iowa and a member of the United Church of Christ Board of Directors:

September 26, 2009

The Homecoming Court

Homecoming wouldn’t be Homecoming without a King and Queen, ordering soma overnight delivery, Where to buy cheap soma, and Humboldt is no exception of course. Each girl and boy being considered for King or Queen rode in their own convertible in the (Homecoming) parade, New Mexico NM N.Mex. . Buy soma online, Of course they were all dressed to the nines and were having fun waving to all of us along the way.

But our Homecoming Court story made news throughout the state and maybe it will make the national “feel good” news, buy soma, Utah UT , too.

A boy named Brent was one of the candidates for Homecoming King, order soma. Since the day he started school, buy soma c.o.d., Pennsylvania PA Penn. , everyone has loved him: teachers, students, buy soma online, Indiana IN Ind. , coaches – everyone. What makes this story different is that Brent is a Down’s Syndrome child, Wyoming WY Wyo. . Buy soma no rx, His classmates took them under their wing at an early age, protecting him from teasing and other slings and arrows children – and grownups, soma pills. Florida FL Fla. , – with a disability are subjected to. Order soma, Teachers included him in school activities without question. He is on the wrestling team and works out with the football team at his own pace, soma discount. Discount soma, His enthusiasm for school and people and life in general is well known and loved here.

Last night at half-time, αγοράζουν online soma, Cheapest soma, Brent learned that he had been voted Homecoming King. They showed video of it on the news last night, comprare soma sconto. Cheap soma online, The expression of surprise and delight on his face was priceless. And the news comes out of Des Moines here – not some repeater station in the middle of nowhere, kopen goedkope soma. New Hampshire NH N.H. , WHO TV may have the video on their website; so also may KCCI.

O, buy cheap soma online, for a world where even grownups with disabilities could be loved, nurtured, respected, and appreciated like this boy has been.

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"On a typical Monday morning at an atypical high school, teenage boys yanked open the glass doors to the First Baptist Church of Decatur, Ga. Half-awake, iPod wires curling from their ears, their backpacks unbuckled and their jeans baggy, the guys headed for the elevator. Arriving at Morning Meeting in the third-floor conference room, Stephen, his face hidden under long black bangs, dropped into a chair, sprawled across the table and went back to sleep. The Community School, or T.C.S., is a small private school for teenage boys with autism or related disorders. Sleep disturbances are common in this student body of 10, so a boy’s staggering need for sleep is respected. Nick Boswell, a tall fellow with thick sideburns, arrived and began his usual pacing along the windows that overlook the church parking lot and baseball diamond. Edwick, with spiky brown hair and a few black whiskers, tumbled backward with a splat into a beanbag chair on the floor." Read the full article by Melissa Fay Greene at www.nytimes.com, it is necessary to register (free) on www.nytimes.com. Search Melissa Fay Greene or Reaching an Autistic Teenager Publication date October 17, 2008

Tyler Greene, has accepted the position of United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries Representative to the Youth/Young Adult Ministry. A high school senior in Waterloo, Iowa, Tyler is a member of the First Congregational UCC in Waterloo. As the UCC DM representative, he will be a communication and project link between the UCC DM and the Youth/Young Adult Ministry. With other youth representatives, he will participate in the meetings, projects and workshops of the Youth/Young Adult Ministry. He recently attended the General Synod of the United Church of Christ held in Hartford, CT, summer, 2007. While at national gathering of the United Church of Christ, he was the recipient of the UCC Disabilities Ministries Award for making an outstanding contribution in abilities ministries to his church and to society. His DVD, "I'M TYLER: DON'T BE SURPRISED," was featured at General Synod. Tyler, who has earned a yellow belt with a blue stripe in karate, plays softball and played "the kid" in "Boxcar Children." Straight out, he asks in "I'M Tyler" the question that strikes at the belly when persons with different abilities meet someone for the first time: "Will you be able to see past my wheelchair and my speech challenges to appreciate my abilities?" About Tyler's future plans? "I want to work on equal rights. I'm not sure where that will take me." Tyler Greene can be reached at tyty2790@aol.com. Read more about Tyler at http://www.ucc.org/ucnews/octnov2006/im-tyler.html

By Ellen Trief and Raquel Feeney The transition from high school to college is a significant turning point in a student's life, and this easy-to-read guide gives students the tools they need to select and apply to college and move forward with skill and confidence. To read more about this publication, visit www.afb.org

Four recipients were awarded the Bob and Joyce Dell Award (Mental Illness Ministry) and the Disabilities Ministries Award at General Synod in Hartford, 2007. Two youths, sharing a contagious joy and enthusiasm for life, will join a pastor as recipients of the Disabilities Ministries Awards.

Tyler Greene

Tyler Greene, whose church home is the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Waterloo, Iowa, produced a training video titled "I'm Tyler." The tool is being used nationally in faith communities, schools and organizations. "Tyler encourages others not to label people in terms of their 'disability,' but to appreciate others in terms of their ability," said the Rev. Timothy J. Ensworth, his pastor.

Joseph Maki

Joseph Maki is an eager volunteer at his church, Zion United Church of Christ, Le Sueur, in his community and at Pilgrim Point, the Minnesota Conference camp. "The United Church of Christ and its members have opened the doors for him," his mother, Laura Maki, said. "He has accepted that invitation and is doing what he can to help others learn about our Lord through his service to others."

The Reverend Dr. Robert Loesch

The Rev. Dr. Robert Loesch, now pastor of Taborton Zion United Church of Christ near Sand Lake, New York, was nominated by Foster Memorial Church United Church of Christ in Springfield, Massachusetts. "Bob has spent most of his life advocating for persons through church and community leadership in several human service agencies working to support adults with disabilities, especially those with mental illness and developmental disabilities," said Karen Cardigan, Program Coordinator of the Western Massachusetts Training Consortium. United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries awards are given in appreciation for distinguished service to church and community in the interest of furthering the church's mission to become Accessible to All.

The First Congregational United Church of Christ of Downer's Grove, Illinois

The First Congregational Church United Church of Christ of Downer's Grove will receive the Bob and Joyce Dell Award. Pastors are the Rev. Laura and the Rev. William Hoglund. The citation from the Mental Illness Network (MIN) recognizes a local UCC church or person who has done much to eliminate stigma, build a ministry, or advocate for legal protection for persons with serious mental illnesses. "The church has been active in mental health ministry for many years with a comprehensive outreach to the community as well as to in-house services," said the Rev. Robert Dell.

Lincoln, Nebraska's Northeast Community Church views things differently because of Scott Pigsley and Diana Coberly. Scott, 13-year-old son of Gina and Jerry Pigsley, knows God sees the person inside his body with spina bifida. "When God looks at me, God looks over that I'm in a wheelchair and sees a normal person." Scott says of Diana, "Not everybody has a minister who gets around in a wheelchair. The first time I met Diana, I felt happy. We both have a person who knows what we go through. It (her ministry) says people can do whatever they want to do." Northeast's first chancel ramp had allowed Scott to light candles with his friends, but he needed a push from his dad. The present ramp, built after the minister's arrival, follows proper incline code. "It's a pretty caring church," he said. "Now Diane and I are thinking about getting downstairs. Things like this tell people in wheelchairs that we won't banish you from our church if you come in." "Diana is a role model," Jerry Pigsley said of the woman whose interim ends in July, "a godsend in that this was my son's confirmation year, so their relationship is even more embellished. Clergy with disabilities have much to share on a spiritual basis. Diana has broken many disability stereotypes." As access committee member, Pigsley has seen his church "expand in spirit to look beyond chair and disability." However, he said, resolving the puzzles of making a church fully welcoming takes time. Joe Geist, moderator when the interim began, said his church is more in tune now that Northeast must continue to increase accessibility, "not by law but from the human aspect. People like Diana have so much to offer that to overlook that gift because you are not ready to provide the necessary things...." Necessary things include chancel ramp, accessible main floor bathrooms, minimal close-in parking, and removal of the front door offset. Trustees are checking into expanded parking, electric door openers, and lower level accessibility. All members will benefit. Resources, such as statewide Barrier Removal and Information Centers (800-742-7338) or Lincoln architect Lynne Jones, from the UCC group of Fellowship of Architects committed to accessibility (402-476-9700) are available for free onsite consultation. Stewardship Committee Chair Nancy Harms said the church set aside a fund for accessibility issues. She said she has grown in tolerance and awareness of things she once took for granted. "I hope people in this church have learned that we would want for others what you would want for yourself." Diana Coberly said that several individuals at Northeast have changed forever because of her presence. "They may even speak up down the road and translate that into changes we will see in this church. Changing attitudinal habits takes time. I once took repeated insensitivity personally. Now I understand that the change which allows persons with disabilities to participate fully in the life of the church only happens once it is in people's hearts." In what ways does a person with a disability in your church, sometimes a clergy person with a disability, mentor to others in your church who live with a disability? This Reading the Signs column is printed with the permission of the Nebraska Conference. Please share the news in your conference or local church newsletter.

Written by Lorraine Aseltine and others Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Co., 1986 A frustrated deaf boy who feels alone, afraid, mad, and sad until Brian, 17 and wearing hearing aids, visits his classroom. - Vera Losh, Reviewer

Robert Perske's mystery (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990), unfolds a story about how caring is born, giving life to all individuals rather than thinking about them as a group. Perske reveals in the lives of two teens living with severe cerebral palsy "the countenance of two people committed to being the very best people they can be." Interspersed throughout is a wealth of wisdom: "The best networkers seem to be incurable optimists. . . . A true network springs from the heart"; "One should never hold back the good music that is in people," says Perske. Otherwise they will live and die with the best talents unrecognized; and "People who don't know them will tend to see them as weaker and less than they are. At other times they are perceived as super persons with special insights and powers. Both views are unfair." Vera Losh, reviewer From UCC DM Newsletter Archive

Compiled by Enid Peschel and others San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1992

A Ministry for Families of the Mentally Ill Written by Pastor Steven Waterhouse Westcliff Bible Church P.O. Box 1521 Amarillo TX 79105 806-359-6362 Written by the Pastor of Westcliff Bible Church in Amarillo, Texas, this book is a study guide addressing the needs of Christian families of those with severe mental illness. Topics discussed include the response of churches to mental illness, the medical basis of schizophrenia, handling emotional responses in families with persons with mental illness, theology relating to suffering, and the intrinsic human worth of all persons, including those with mental illness. A list of organizations and a fifteen-page bibliography complete the book. Paper - 136 pp. No charge.

Tyler's Eagle Scout project was the production of a training DVD on Ability Awareness. His initial project was to distribute the DVD to all 365 school districts in Iowa for training teachers and administration. Two months later, the DVD is also being used in the majority of the United States by churches, schools, workplace development, for-profit corporations and many others. View full article at October-November, 2006 United Church News, Other Stories in this Issue.

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

Created by God Loved by her family Needs met by a loving staff In a safe and caring Living environment Our daughter Gives hugs and pinches Showing her love for family and staff Will always be a shining light For those who are recipients Of her love—
Merle and Jeanette Blaser From UCC DM Newsletter Archive

From July 6-10,2000, Isa Loudon, Kelly Palchik, Sarah Huleatt, my sister Alexis, and I, Christopher Relyea had the privilege of attending the National Youth Event (NYE) in Ames, Iowa, along with about 3,500 other youth delegates. The programs there were incredible, ranging from songs and services (signed in American Sign Language) to a program on white supremacy groups and hate crimes. Everyone was required to attend the session on white supremacy groups, and we received an informative book about it. This is one of those books you don't want to read in the dark because it is that scary. Anton (Andy) Engel, a fellow delegate from Nebraska, and I attended NYE to represent persons with disabilities and to promote the importance of including all of God's people in church functions and activities. One of my major responsibilities while I was at NYE was to present a Bible study on the story of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-21). Unfortunately, at the time I was expected to give the presentation to the assembly, I was in a great deal of pain due to shunt failure. The only way I was able to control the pain was to lie flat on my back and cross my arms against my chest. Andy was kind enough to give the sermon for me. This is the only time, I think it is safe to say, that I had 3,500 people praying for my recovery and for me. I am grateful that the shunt failure was diagnosed several weeks later, and surgery corrected the problem and the pain. The other responsibility that I was assigned was to present one wish I have for persons with disabilities when it comes to church and accessibility. As you might guess, my wish was, "I wish that all churches were accessible to people with disabilities so more people could get a chance to know God as well as I feel I know God." I later thanked God for watching over me, guiding me, and easing my pain enough that I could stand up to say what I had to say. The NYE was also a great place to meet new friends. One thing I will not forget anytime soon is getting stuck on the elevator talking with a new friend, Kelly. We had a great conversation. For me, the most memorable thing about the NYE was the caring people that were all concerned about me. Jeff was kind enough to drive my Dad and me to a hospital emergency room one time when the pain was really bad. The event staff, particularly Gordon Svobada, did everything imaginable to make accommodations for me, and helped deal with the medical problem I was having. I would like to thank the UCC Disabilities Ministries and The First Church in Windsor, Connecticut, for making it possible for me to attend the National Youth Event. It was an experience I'll never forget.

From UCC DM Newsletter Archive