Comments for United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries

Comment on Braille Hymnal Request by Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas

Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 23:25:26 +0000

Hi Mary,

I will share your comment with the UCCDM Board to see if there is more to know or discover about the topic you raise.~Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas, UCCDM Secretary

Comment on Braille Hymnal Request by mary otten

mary otten — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:19:30 +0000

I am looking for the braille New Century hymnal. I gather that the work to get this done back in the 1990s was lost somehow when Braille Book Bank of the National Braille association went out of existence. I urge you to have your subsidiary publisher, Pilgrim Press make a digital copy available through the www.bookshare.org. This is the best and cheapest way for individuals or churches to get access to publications. bookshare is a 501c3 that produces accessible copies of books that are eithr scanned by volunteers or donated by publishers. Subscribers to the service pay a low yearly fee or get the service free if they are students. Institutions can also get membership. Not having access to the hymnal at church services does not feel at all welcoming. So I hope Pilgrim can be convinced that this is a good way to ensure access to the hymnal and any other publications to the blind and others who have disabilities that interfere with the ability to read a hard copy text.

Comment on Connecticut Delegate, Christopher Relyea, Presents His Perspective on Accessibility and the 2000 National Youth Event by Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas

Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 05:09:26 +0000

Caleb you may want to look into our Widening the Welcome Conferences. Widening the Welcome III is coming up in early November 2012!

Comment on Under Renovation by Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas

Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 21:35:43 +0000

I have sent your comment to a few people who might have be able to respond and I will post again if I have an answer or insight regarding accessible hymnals. It is hard to know exactly what level of accommodation you need from your comment. The New Century does appear to be available in large print, but a my web search has not revealed a braille or electronic version. Have you contacted the folks at UCC Resources or Pilgrim Press? They carry the hymnal, accompanist, CD versions, ect. according to their website, but they might have more information about other alternative formats if you call them. I believe a direct call from someone wishing to purchase such an item may also create the demand the suppliers need to create… so a call from you rather than UCCDM directly may be more fruitful. Please let us know what you find out.

Other thoughts:
If you are looking for a braille hymnal, I did find the UMC Hymnal in Braille, but not electronic, form. Many of the songs in the New Century are in the UMC hymnal as well, to be accessible both would need to be consulted when planning your worship, but an extra 5 to 10 minutes in choosing hymns seems like a reasonable accommodation.
If the product you need can’t be found, can your local center/institute for the blind be helpful in “translating” the items you do have into a usable format? Sometimes partnering with local organizations can help us meet local accessibility needs.

Anyone else out there have wisdom, experience, or thoughts on this?

Comment on Under Renovation by Nance Cunningham

Nance Cunningham — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:08:10 +0000

Does the UCC produce a hymnal for its blind members? If not a hardback, does it make available a computer program for members with the right kind of laptop? I am asking on behalf of a blind member in my church.

Thank you.

Comment on Clergy with Disabilities by Bobby Kates

Bobby Kates — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:08:50 +0000

I am 60+, gay man, 21+ year HIV/AID suvivor now with Polymyositis for the past 6 years. Even though I walk slowly with a cane now and can not physically walk up steps unless there is something to grab onto to pull my self up — I do the flowers (when asked) at Cathedral of Hope. I did them before I developed this incurable disease. The Chancel at COH has no railings, but the Communion Table and Pulpit are strategically placed so I can get to the top of the Chancel. How appropriate. I am now at seminary, at Brite Divinity School. I climb those steps there to get to class. Trust me God has a sense of humor. My hope is to be ordained in 4 years. If I ever serve or preach at COH I will still pull myself up grabbing onto the Communion Table and then the Pulpit. It may shock some sitting in the pews, but when people have seen me do it when I arrange the flowers, I reply, “God is just giving me a welcomed hand so I can climb these steps.” Nothing is impossible with the love of God.

Comment on Book Review: Rambling Down Life’s Road by Rev. Larry Pray

Rev. Larry Pray — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:41:46 +0000

Given the ever so many people recovering from brain injury, I am glad to find this site.

I too have been through these waters. If you go to Larrypray.com you will read the reviews of my new book, Thresholds: Connecting Body and Soul after Brain Injury, Lawrence M. Pray,
Ruder Finn Press, 2012. The book is currently on Kindle, iBook and Nook. The print edition will be available in mid-July 2012.

Thank you.

Comment on A Tribute to Ryan Mathews by Rev. Jeanne Tyler by Dee Brauninger

Dee Brauninger — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:49:16 +0000

Thanks, Jeanne. That’s Ryan.

Comment on Widening the Welcome II: Join the Movement! by THOMAS

THOMAS — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:04:56 +0000

HI,I’m THOMAS BOSIRE,age 28,lives in kenya.I belong to 2 organisations: KENYA NETWORK OF CARE LEAVERS & HANDICAPPED COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES.I also deal in campaigns deaLING WITH DISABILITIES ISSUES.I also love spiritual meetings which brings persons with disabilities together.I love getting involved in trainings,workshops & conferences both locally & internationally.
I’d humbly loved to considered in your forthcoming events.It’ll be my pleasure to get involved in your movement.
Any comments or questions about me are highly welcomed.
PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH.
MAY YOU ENDEAVOR IN ALL THAT YOU DO.

Comment on Widening the Welcome II: Join the Movement! by William Brandes

William Brandes — Sat, 21 May 2011 17:59:03 +0000

Link to the Registration Packet. PDF audio supported file.

Comment on Inclusion Resources for Local Church Ministry by Diana Coberly

Diana Coberly — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:03:51 +0000

Hi whoever is handling the Web Site: I am having difficulty downloading any of the resources. I don’t understand “tags” and I just want information we used to have regarding helps for ushers, as well as other items. Thanks for your help. Diana

Comment on Calling by Virginia Anderson

Virginia Anderson — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 03:53:22 +0000

I could say AMEN to all of this. I am a pastor with Myasthenia Gravis, spinal stenosis and I was in an auto acident last year with injuries that cause me tonow use a scooter and short arm crutches.. I had a broken ancle, broken ribs, vertabraa fracture , brusing, etc. I am a UCC pastor in upstate New York. I will be retiring in June at age 76. I would love to correspone with the author.

Comment on Sermon from Access Sunday 10-10-10 by Norma Mengel

Norma Mengel — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:28:15 +0000

Praise God, this is a wonderful message! Thanks.

Comment on Sermon from Access Sunday 10-10-10 by Jo Clare

Jo Clare — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:56:32 +0000

Great sermon! As the Inclusion Coach, I am doing the Stewardship Schtick tomorrow at my church and I am thinking SpAcious PlAces will make an appearance. How SagAcious, Peggy!

Comment on Sermon from Access Sunday 10-10-10 by Kirk Moore

Kirk Moore — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:14:20 +0000

Thank you, Peggy, for shAring this! The powerful imAge of SpAcious PlAces and RyAn’s moving story offer hope and also present chAllenges as we continue to strive to be A spAcious plAces community Accessible to All!

Comment on Sermon from Access Sunday 10-10-10 by PEGGY

PEGGY — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:03:26 +0000

This sermon was preached by Peggy Dunn at the Union Congregational Church UCC of South Bristol, Maine on 10-10-10

Comment on 1995 UCC DM Resolution: Concerning the Church and the Americans with Disabilities Act by Debe Knaack

Debe Knaack — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:07:00 +0000

I am interested in participating in a “Disability Ministry” at First Congregational Church, Phoenix, AZ.
I am currently a member of the “Called to Care” ministry at First Church.

Comment on Welcome to Holland – Emily Pearl Kingsley by casey morton

casey morton — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:53:03 +0000

I would like to talk eventually to miss Kingsley!!!! I have a form of down Syndrome. She’s a huige inspiration for me, and her works in general.

Comment on People with Disabilities Face Unique Grief, Loss Issues by Sharon VonBlohn

Sharon VonBlohn — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:38:33 +0000

I waited two years for a disability hearing after being denied and living on next to nothing, praying to survive. I have now been on disability for two years and in the aforementioned four years have been receiving healing from acupuncture. Now I cannot even get an interview for a ministry position, praying for any ministry that God would call me to serve. I hear the pain and frustration and grieving others are going through as they come to face their limitations head-on and then still be the person God created them to be.
I have been told perhaps several of the problems of me not even have an opportunity to have an interview are: My age, my gender and my disability. How much resilience can those of us who work with our limitations/disabilities muster when we even allow ourselves to consider what drawbacks may be existing for us? How can we keep serving the Lord and our brothers and sisters in the world when no one will give us a chance to serve?
Yes, Vocational Rehabilitation has faith in me in helping me find a career that I can do since I have limitations for hope to be able to sustain fulltime work with a ticket to work off Disability. I am doing more physical activity now than I was able to do when my children were growing up.
I just share prayers for all people who are striving to not let their disability control their lives, and also pray for those who have never been in our situation and who grow tired of those of us with “chronic” illness/disability and turn a deaf ear or want someone “healthy” or “reliable” to do the job? God has given me a miracle of healing through my acupuncturist and I hope to be able to serve God until the day I die in ministry which makes me thrive and grow in faith and as an individual. There is definitely life after loss, but it is difficult when there seems to be too much of a mountain to climb to be able to live that life.

Comment on Did You Catch That? Welcoming Persons with Hearing Loss by Webmaster

Webmaster — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:07:31 +0000

Thanks, Sherry. And thank you for caring enough to make your church accessible. At our church in Nebraska, we had an interpreter twice a month. She stood so that people could look both at her and the preacher. She always was able to sign in better cadence with the speaker. The whole congregation was fascinated and said they got more out of the sermon. Even though they did not read sign, it gave them a visual focus point that helped them stay with the sermon. I believe there is a Reading the Signs article about this on this website. The signer was able to purchase a book specifically for “religious” signing; that is, it had terminology that was not part of her usual signing vocabulary. Persons wanting to read the sermon in sign sat in a line directly in front of the signer rather than to one side and as near in the pews as was comfortable for them to read easily. We also had a number of people who did not know sign language but whose hearing was not what it once was. So we gave them printed copies of th sermon beforehand. Our deaf people also appreciated this. The printed copies, I should say, we in large type as they found it easier to glance down for reference.
It was also helpful for the signer to dress in black or dark colors so her hands would show up well. For a person of color, dressing in white or a light color would work. DB

Comment on Did You Catch That? Welcoming Persons with Hearing Loss by Sherry Brabham

Sherry Brabham — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:17:32 +0000

I regret that our church is not in Maryland so that we could offer these services for the BJB. My church is in New Jersey and I am interested in our beginning to offer sign language interpreter services once or twice a month. Currently, we do not have any deaf members, but I am hopeful that if we begin the service, those who are hearing-challenged would learn of it and attend. There are two of us who know sign language in the church — one of us had a lot of experience interpreting in the past. So we would be able to use current members to offer this service. Does anyone reading this have experience in beginning a ministry to the deaf in their local church? I would love to talk with you about your experiences. Thank you.

Comment on Did You Catch That? Welcoming Persons with Hearing Loss by BjB

BjB — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:27:44 +0000

Thank you for this article.
I am hunting a UCC church in the Frederick, MD area that provides a deaf interpreter for any services.
A bonus would be that it is “Open and Affirming.”

Comment on Book: Don’t Feel Sorry for Paul by chaplian paul mccormick

chaplian paul mccormick — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:47:04 +0000

i have met the paul in this book. and let me say i admire him very much. he was my teacher this past week in nashville tennessee. he is one of the most amazing people i have ever known. after only two days i feel that i have known him my whole life. he has been a fireman with nyfd for most of his life and has lived thur more than most people could only see on tv. i will always and forever call him a friend of mine. thank you paul for all i have learned from you and keep it up.

Comment on Mental Health Ministry Resources 1 by Terry L Dorn

Terry L Dorn — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:04:09 +0000

Hello, I was an evangelist and experienced a breakdown. It was one of the worst struggles of my life to find a careing christian and congregation with the heart of Christ. I wrote a book about the experience, “The Cross and the Psychiatrist” – Please read and find hope for others. Find it at amazon.com or google it! The Cross and the Psychiatrist by Terry Dorn

Comment on Access Sunday, October 10 by Webmaster

Webmaster — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:13:03 +0000

Lynda Bigler, member of United Church of Christ board of directors, offers the following resources for Access Sunday, 2009:

Text: John 9: 1-18
Focus on Kathy Black. A Healing Homiletic.

Hymn Choices from New Century Hymnal:

Opening #391 “In the Midst of New Dimensions”
Hymn of Meditation #207 “Just as I Am”
Clpsing Hymn #388 “Help Us Accept Each Other”