Recalibrating our vision
"Our disabled bodies do not make us heroes, nor are we tragedies, but we hold within us the truth of the human experience: pain and joy dwell together. We are Good Friday and Easter, tomb and resurrection."
People with visible and invisible disabilities fill our churches’ pews. This issue highlights the voices of those with disabilities as well as their advocates. Readers will reflect on disability advocacy from a theological perspective as well as healing narratives from Scripture. Church leaders will learn of ministry practices that provide accessibility for all.
"Our disabled bodies do not make us heroes, nor are we tragedies, but we hold within us the truth of the human experience: pain and joy dwell together. We are Good Friday and Easter, tomb and resurrection."
"This book is for anyone seeking a broad understanding of the historic roots to an on-going American struggle. It would make for fruitful discussion in a small group or Sunday School class but is probably best utilized as a reference for those seeking a comprehensive overview."
"(Y)outh empowerment is crucial. Young people want to talk with others – particularly their peers – about what they are going through, and they want to know how they can best support their friends with mental illness."
"[Amy] Kenny’s research, humor, approachable writing style and honesty make My Body is Not a Prayer Request a must-read for churches and faith communities who aspire to include the disabled community in their spaces, theology, language and day-to-day practices."
"Becker’s experiences make her uniquely qualified to encourage fellow sufferers, offering hope, practical suggestions and compassionate words to soothe the pain inflicted by bad theology and the well-intentioned/ill-informed."
Erin Raffety offers some theological reflection and action steps for congregations desiring to foster inclusion and accessibility.
A poem by Kathryn Lester-Bacon.
“True accessibility means meeting people with disabilities where we are — not trying to change us, but making room so that we can be wholly ourselves as God created us to be,” writes Hunter Steinitz.
Leslie Scanlon outlines how General Assembly will touch on Juneteenth and cash bail.
Who have we unintentionally excluded? What barriers keep the full body of Christ from gathering and participating? Whose voices are we talking over? Whose gifts and leadership remain untapped?
"We hope to let every church know that you do not need to be exceptional; you don’t need a big budget or limitless volunteers. You just need to listen to people with disabilities."
"[O]ne of my favorite Bible stories is about the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20). We perceive it as scary — but in truth, Jesus models how I want to be treated as someone with bipolar disorder."
A uniform lesson for September 4, 2022.
A uniform lesson for August 28, 2022.
A uniform lesson for August 21, 2022.
A pastor's favorite podcast.
In Cartersville, Georgia, a young boy following God’s call has raised more than $10,000 for an organization that provides food, clothing, medicine and supplies to families displaced by the war in Ukraine.
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